Father Beem

He was called Father Beem here. I had heard that before but I heard the word "Beem" about thirty times today so from here on out,he is Father or Father Beem...

Edward showed up at 6am for us to start our journey to McCarthy Hill to see his residence. From there we would go to the gravesite and then we would have lunch. Edward thought we might be late as we were meeting Brother James at 8am but we ended up being on time AND we arrived without major incident!

McCarthy Hill is a bunch of homes on a hill that overlook the neighboring cities. The view is beautiful, really beautiful. This is the view from outside of Father's room.


Brother James was so wonderful. He greeted me as if we were friends already. He is a lot like Father you can just tell they must have been great friends. We hit it off instantly. You can easily see how James and Father have some of the same mannerisms. At times it felt as though Father were there- saying, "fine, fine" and laughing with a roar.

I got to see the room where Father last lived. It was a simple room with a bed, bookshelf and closet. What was lovely was the location. From his room, you could see the cross that rose above the building and right outside his room was a beautiful view.



There is a grotto down below out in the yard and he would go there everyday to pray. I was told that Father walked twice a day to keep in shape and from the looks of their interpretation of it, it looked as if he kind of marched in this way I can so easily picture him doing! He would walk to the grotto and around the grounds.



In the Grotto was an area to pray to Our Lady of Fatima. I thought it was beautiful.


McCarthy Hill is not only for retired priests but also for seminary students so there are young boys as well as the retired priests there. In fact a young man is now in Father's room and he was very kind and seemed happy to be in the room of someone that was so important. They say mass daily there at McCarthy Hill and I was shown the exact seat that Father always sat in. In the picture it is the furthest seat on the right in the second row. I took this picture from just behind his seat so you can see his view from where he was at.



I also met Doris who took care of Father the three years prior to his death. She was very kind and we spoke about her last memories of him. He returned from the states on the 15th of September (in 2006) and I found it interesting that immediately he gave Doris a crucifix and asked her to start praying for him. He said that his father died at 87 and he was 83 now and so he never knows when his time was up. He always joked with her so she did not know how seriously to take him but started praying extra for him anyway. Doris would massage him and Father requested that she sing while she did this so he could relax more. She has a lovely voice and did so happily.

Her last memory of Father was when he left town four days later. Our papers said he was going to the Coast but she said he was going to Tema which is in the Accra area and is the home of his last parrish, Our Lady of Mercy. He has some friends that he visits there and they always made him Fufu which is a favorite meal here in Ghana. Doris asked if he wanted her to drive him and he said "no" that he would be fine. Either that day or the next she got the call that he had died at the hospital.

Next we headed to Adoagyiri-Nsawam. It was about an hour and fifteen minutes away. That trip was more eventful as the five of us crowded into Edward's old car. We went on a bad road to avoid traffic and the car stopped and we had to get out three times. Thankfully Edward just needed to wiggle a few wires and I think that Brother James said a prayer and we were on our way each time.

The Society of the Divine Word Center and St Joseph's Church. This is a wonderful large piece of land that includes a residence, a few schools including one for children and adults needing artificial limbs, a church and the cemetary where Father is laid to rest. Brother James indicated that Father really did a lot here and loved it here. It was easy to see why as it was so peaceful here. He was here from 1953- 1958 and then again from 1963- 1973.

Brother Paul was here with Father and is now in charge of several things here including caring for the cemetary. He also is the Chaplain at the local medium security prison which he seems perfect for. Brother Paul is also good with cars and so he did something to fix Edwards. I am thinking he used glue or duct tape but was afraid to ask!! Brother Paul has this awesome personality and fondly remembers Father playing cards there until midnight on many occasions. Brother Paul is really as cool as he looks!



The cemetary where Father is buried is simple, beautiful and peaceful. It really is nice. They give Father a lot of credit for helping to develop the land here to build the schools and cemetary and so he really is laid to rest at a place that he helped to construct. I can't think of anything more fitting. His plot is in a great location as if you look one way, you see the tower of the church he preached at and if you look the other way, there is a big crucifix. He will be getting his proper headstone marking shortly. The process here is about two years once someone is burried to get the grave constructed properly as they let the ground settle and do all these things. Brother Paul is in charge of it and explained the process and it is obvious he takes it very seriously.



Before we left, I wanted a moment alone at the graveside but Brother James did not understand what I was asking for and so he thought I wanted a picture of me and him touching the headstone. So here is that picture. Then I tried once again to ask for a moment alone and so a big group prayer was done by Brother Paul. This is only after they tried to have me say my prayer outloud. I had to laugh (internally) but I did get a moment alone with Father on the way out!



We took a tour of the grounds and saw the elementary and senior school. What I was not prepared for was the school and facility for those who are in need of artificial limbs. It was awesome! There are over 200 children and adults, mostly children that come there to get artificial limbs and therapy to help them. Most stay an average of three months but can stay longer if need be. They help accident victims and those that have suffered a loss or deformation prior to or during birth. They have three big areas to house those that are there including a nice area for mothers with their babies. I can't tell you how beautiful it was to see so many people walking around with artificial limbs, knowing that they are going to be okay. In Ghana, life is often more difficult for those with disabilities such as the ones these people have as there is no insurance and so people cannot afford to get help. It is done here for free. They even have a workshop and the limbs and shoes are made here.
Here is the computer classroom with some of the children...



and one of the men in the workroom...


The director of this special school and facility is from Holland and knows Father well. I missed his name but will get it. The men joked that they are cousins as Father is also of Dutch origin. He used to play cards with Father and he is the brillant man behind all of the work that is done to help those needing limbs. I did not get if he is the doctor but he was helping with therapy, and knows how to help diagnose and create the limbs. I immediately made a nice donation to this place as I knew instantly that is what my family would have liked. I took some pictures of the men in the workshop working on the shoes and limbs. This was just amazing.

We ended the tour with a nice lunch. They served plain rice and plain chicken and so I thanked God, Grandma and Father for that immediately as I don't think I could have handled anything with a sauce and would have felt terrible to try to avoid eating. We then left but not before I got a picture of Brother James, the Director, Brother Paul and Doris.



Today was a day that I will never forget as long as I live. I am so fortunate to have been able to see the places and meet the people I met today. I really enjoyed talking to Brother James as I felt that he really knew Father well. I told him about the adoption and showed him pictures of Selina. To see how truely happy and supportive he was of the adoption made me teary eyed. He said that Selina is a good child, he can tell by looking at her. He believes she is here for a reason. I never got to ask Father what he thought about us adopting and so when I asked Brother James what he thought Father would have said. Brother James said that Father would have said that all children need to know they matter and the opportunity to be educated and to learn and that Father would have been happy. To have heard these words just meant the world to me as it was finally the blessing from someone that I know would know what was in Father's heart and from someone that loves Ghana as much as Father did!

So thank you God for such a Beautiful Day! And now I am happy to know that Father is resting in peace...