By Assumpta Ayuk
The men of the Bishop Rogan Secondary College (Birocol) Small Soppo, Cameroon came from North Carolina, Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, Minnesota, New England and Georgia to Texas with their wives and kids. Just as they did several years ago, the class of 1966 to class 1994 and the classes in between all answered present in Houston, Texas for their annual convention themed “Priestly Formation”. The Ex-students of Bishop Rogan Collage (BIROCOL-EXSA) or the Rogan Kings as they call themselves residing in the United States of America dissented upon Houston from June 22-24th, 2012 under the auspices of the Rogan Kings Houston Chapter led by their able President Mr. Colin Nawiinin (Birocol class of 1983).
The men of the Bishop Rogan Secondary College (Birocol) Small Soppo, Cameroon came from North Carolina, Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, Minnesota, New England and Georgia to Texas
The convention started with a come together, a sort of meet and greet BBQ at the home of Miss Mary Asuagbor (an ex-student of GHS Mamfe) on Friday June 22th and was ushered into Saturday with official opening of the BIROCOL-EXSA USA 2012 Convention at Kingz Banquet Hall on Hwy 6 & Bissonnet. As is with the tradition of BIROCOL-EXSA USA, the convention opened the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 10:00am. After the mass the program proceed with the business of the day; presentation of the chapter reports and the state of association by the national President Professor Greg Asuagbor PhD (Birocol class of 1966). The recreation segment of convention was a well published soccer game match between Birocol and Sasse. The Sasse team Manager, Dr. Matthias Egbe was punctual but in the end his team was a no show and the Rogan Kings ended up playing the Houston Indomitable Lions. The game ended in a 3-1 lost in favor of the Lions. Saturday evening ended with a gala. The funds raised during the gala will go to upgrade the facilities and utilities at the Birocol.
The BIROCOL-EXSA USA 2012 Convention climaxed with the celebration at the nativity of St. John the Baptist at the St. Nicolas Catholic Church HoustonThe BIROCOL-EXSA USA 2012 Convention climaxed with the celebration at the nativity of St. John the Baptist at the St. Nicolas Catholic Church Houston
The BIROCOL-EXSA USA 2012 Convention climaxed with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in Latin to marked the solemnity of the nativity of St. John the Baptist at the St. Nicolas Catholic Church together with the Assumption Cameroon Catholic Community of Houston (ACCCH). With the host pastor, Fr. Desmond Ohankwere MSP, Fr. Martial Oya of St. Ignatius, Spring, TX, and Birocol Ex-students Fr. Maurice Akwa (Bertoua, Cameroon) Fr. Henry Atem of Atlanta, Fr. Benedict Ehinack (Douala, Cameroon) and Seminarian Valery Akoh (Major Seminary Bambui, Cameroon) the celebration began at 11:30 am. The chief celebrant was Fr. Benedict and the gospel Luke 1: 57 – 66, 80 was delivered by Fr. Maurice. In his homily Fr. Maurice urged the ACCCH members to emulate John the Baptist by standing up for the truth, to live Christ Centered lives, and be true lights of Cameroon. When you hear Laudate Dominum you know that you are in for a Latin Mass treat by Birocol Ex-students and the ACCCH members were very pleased. Fr. Desmond welcomed the Rogan Kings and called upon those who did not make it to the Major seminary and to the priesthood to consider becoming family deacons. He left the doors open to Birocol ex-students in the USA to come and worship with ACCCH.
By incorporating Holy Eucharist celebration with ACCCH as the finale to their convention, Birocol ex-students have set the bar high and have challenged Soba America and Shesa USA. Rogan Kings 2012 Convention wrapped up with a Texas style BBQ at the resident of Julie and Colin Nawiinin.
The Rogan Kings playing the Houston Indomitable Lions
Birocol in addition to being a formative institution for minor seminarians aspiring for priesthood, it offers both in the Arts and Sciences education from Form One to Upper Sixth. Birocol is known for its educational excellence scoring 100% in Cameroon GCE at both the O/A levels. His Lordship Agapitus Nfon (Class of 1976), Auxiliary Bishop of Bamenda and His Lordship George Nkuo (class of 1967) of Kumbo are alumnae of Birocol. Since opening its door to the first batch of students who enrolled in Form One on 28th, September, 1964, Birocol college has molded and educated several young men in numerous career fields.
Bishop Rogan College, now officially known as now Bishop Rogan Minor Seminary, was established in 1964 by Mill Hill Missionary Bishop Jules Peeters, formal Bishop of the Buea Diocese. Its creation was a realization of Bishop Peter Rogan’s dream of liberating the then Holy Family Seminary that was housed at the St. Joseph College (Sasse). Bishop Rogan Minor Seminary’s motto is Dei Populi Servire.
