A fruitful eight years
Fr. Cosmas and his South Mountain congregation gathered together for a final farewell before Fr. Cosmas takes the next step in his journey to Carleton Place. Courtesy photos
Father Cosmas Ajawara
Kalynn Sawyer Helmer
Record Staff
CHESTERVILLE – Fr. Cosmas Ajawara said his last farewells on Sun., July 30, to his Chesterville Parish, St. Mary of the Presentation Parish, and South Mountain Parish, The Mission of St. Daniel the Martyr. Fr. Cosmas will be moving on to bring his gifts to Carleton Place, as of Aug. 1.
Replacing Fr. Cosmas is Fr. Charles Enyinnia who comes to Chesterville from Frankfurt, Ont. Fr. Cosmas and Fr. Charles were ordained together and served in a number of communities before moving on to Chesterville.
Fr. Cosmas said he hopes his congregation will “continue their journey with their new priest and continue to do more and go higher.” Over the eight “fruitful” years that Fr. Cosmas has served in Chesterville and South Mountain, he explained, “It was an opportunity to form good relationships with the people, who are not just my parishioners but my friends and family.”
Chesterville and South Mountain were the longest time Fr. Cosmas has been in one parish during his 19 years as a priest. While Carleton Place will host a larger congregation, Fr. Cosmas said his philosophy stays the same. “My philosophy of ministry is ministry of collaboration and engaging with people. I love Jesus and I love people.”
Despite starting a new chapter in his journey, Fr. Cosmas insisted to his congregation that he will be back and it has been a pleasure to work in a community that has welcomed him.
