A Great Lasallian: Br. Ignatius - Kevin Buckley

Memories of a Great Lasallian –Br Ignatius Kennedy fsc

By Kevin Buckley, PNG Colleague, Teacher, Volunteer

I first met Br Ignatius some 30 years ago when he was Principal at De La Salle High School in Bomana. My first impression was of a reserved, yet welcoming person. It was well known around the school that he toiled long hours in the Principal’s office, so much so that the story spread among the students that he worked all night, without sleep. A few years later, I had the good fortune to be appointed to a school in the Highlands. Being a newcomer to the country, it was an exciting time for me, as I discovered the fascinating and rich culture of the people and the spectacular scenery of the ‘Land of the Unexpected’.

Meanwhile, Br Ignatius completed his service at De La Salle Bomana and, when he was already in his 60’s, accepted to continue his ministry of education at Holy Trinity Teachers’ College (HTTC) in Mt Hagen. In addition, he oversaw the formation of the young Brothers. Little would he have known that Hagen was to be his home for the next 20 years. From time-to-time supplies were needed in the high school where I was teaching, so trips to Hagen in the school truck gave us a chance to see more of the beautiful Highlands’ towering mountains and lush valleys. These excursions included a visit to the HTTC Brothers community where Ignatius was a welcoming host.

Many happy years followed before I was asked to join the staff at the Teachers’ College. (I was also privileged to be part of the Brothers’ community). It was here that I really came to know Ignatius. I suspect that these years of ministry in Hagen were the happiest of his life. There is much I could share about ‘Br Iggy’ as he came to be known, but I will just make mention of a few events in which his total commitment and dedication to be Lasallian shone through.

After busy days of teaching, and supervising students in the nearby primary schools for practice teaching, as well as boarding duties, most of us College lecturers took time after dinner for some rest, and time preparing for the following day. Br Iggy, however, based himself in the Religious Education office for several hours to be available for student interviews and counselling. This assisted the new First Years in their transition to tertiary studies, and helped Ignatius to know his students well. Such was his kindness, generosity and wisdom, that many students who had graduated and were out teaching in the field kept in regular contact with him.

Living in the same house as Ignatius I can recall many a night when I was awoken by the phone.

Before I had the chance to jump out of bed, Ignatius had already answered and was saying to some former student in a distant province, possibly still waiting to receive their first pay, “save your units, I’ll call you back”.

These calls were often very late in the night. Ignatius would be a listening ear for them to share their joys and hardships of teaching, often in a remote school that lacked the basic education materials or proper staff housing.

The encouragement and support they received kept them going and boosted their spirits. Ignatius was never too tired or too busy to give of his time for any staff member or student who called upon him.

During my first year of teaching at Holy Trinity, I remember feeling somewhat apprehensive as I had not previously been involved in tertiary level education. When teaching units were being finalised I was asked to present a course that I knew very little about; this did not help my confidence. Who came to my rescue? Without being asked, Ignatius offered to give of his time sharing his teaching materials and experience. This was a great relief to me, and most importantly, the student teachers benefited from my presentations.

As we know, it was during this period that Ignatius set about establishing the Lasallian Family (LSF). The first Lasallian Family office was in a small room in the Brothers’ house. Very soon, as the numbers of LSF members increased, a large room in the College Library was generously made available by the College Highlands Lasallian Family at Mt Hagen 2010.

From among the first group, Ignatius chose teachers who very generously took leave from their schools to assist in the Office, and be among the presenters at LSF gatherings, in each region around the country. Highlands Lasallian Family at Mt Hagen 2010 (Photo: Lambert Lapkit)

It is impressive that many of the original group members continue faithfully to carry on the Lasallian mission to this day.

Ignatius was very much a man of prayer. Each day, he would be up before dawn for his spiritual meditation, and then head to the chapel for community morning prayers. On weekends, it was usual for Ignatius to spend some extra time in the chapel. A custom of his was to invite us to say a few decades of the Rosary when venturing out on a long drive.

On his retirement from formal teaching at HTTC, Ignatius took on the role of Catholic Education Secretary of the Archdiocese of Mt Hagen, a position that had been vacant at the time. Ignatius realised the importance of bringing encouragement, and R. E. text books and teaching resources to schools that had nothing. This meant hours of driving throughout the Western Highlands on extremely rough roads, some not much more than tracks. On top of all this, Iggy had more than his fair share of trials, enduring years of ill-health. His tropical ulcers were particularly painful and took much patience and treatment to heal them. Others of his age would have just given up and left for their family’s place. A humble man living a simple life, never drawing attention to himself, being happiest when promoting the Christian/Lasallian mission, Ignatius had few personal possessions.