Fifteen years after his death on March 12, 2008, reader Najette Abraham remembers Fr Michael Moses.
Fr Michael Paul Moses is best remembered for his work with ‘Aunty Babsie’ Bleasdell through the Word of Life Community in Arima and in the Charismatic movement in Trinidad and Tobago. They were an awesome twosome for the Lord and spent their days and nights evangelising and bringing souls into the Holy Presence.
‘Fr Mike’ was a devoted son, brother and uncle who loved his blood family as much as he loved his adopted families in every parish and community. His impact on many, especially the youth was phenomenal as they responded to his love.
To those of us who were embraced into his extended family, Fr Mike was a huge personality, a role model, a teacher of truth and a beloved fun-loving, big brother who kept you on the straight and narrow.
He was a perpetual student seeking the authentic truth. He was never satisfied until information presented was proven authentic teachings true to the doctrine of our Church and the Bible.
When working with him, you were sent back to validate the source and authenticity of whatever document your research had revealed.
During his latter years, Fr Mike worked assiduously as the Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice in the protection of the environment before this issue became a global concern.
His work with the Louisiana administration to bring their programme on abstinence to our youth became his dream and his passion. From this work, Fr Mike developed the Values and Virtues Programme used in our primary schools for post SEA students.
Fr Michael Moses remains an unsung hero of our nation – his zeal, love and shrewd recognition of the talents of those he challenged brought out the best in him and in all of us.
His love for the Church and the priesthood was indescribable. The Holy Spirit was his rock and the foundation from which he taught. His humility was beyond words as he failed to recognise that he made a huge difference in the lives of the people he touched, especially our youth.
“Welcome Home, Good and Faithful Servant” must have been the words that Fr Michael Paul Moses heard as he entered his new home in Heaven. It is no coincidence that he passed away on the same day as our beloved Archbishop Anthony Pantin who ordained him on June 19, 1988.
One of the treasured stories is his meeting with Mother Teresa – now St Teresa of Kolkata – who cupped his face in her hands and told him, “do not just be a priest, be a HOLY priest!” Fr Mike certainly lived up to that command.
We who are left behind miss him dearly and await the day when we are reunited in the Kingdom of God.