APIA: 15 December 2010 -- It is good to hear
from Fr Nick Castelijns again after he shifted from the 'big
island' of Savai'i to the 'main island' of Upolu in Samoa.
Nick has been a long-time Dutch missionary to the
Australia-Pacific Province, 25 or so years of which he has
spent in Samoa. It seems especially appropriate to record
his meanderings here, because just this week he received
news that his 97 year old mother is failing in health, and
Nick and his brother (who lives in Australia) have returned
home 'to accompany her home'. He would appreciate your
prayers.
SINAMOGA PARISH
"As you may know my appointment in Savai’i finished at
the end of December 2009, and after my Christmas break at
home (Holland) to celebrate the 40th anniversary of my
Ordination with my Mum and the family, I returned to Samoa
for my new appointment as Parish Priest in the Parish of
Sinamoga/Moamoa, where I had served earlier (1991-1994).
No churches or residences or parish halls to be built! I
am known to most parishioners, even though 15 years have
passed. Altar servers have become fathers of families,
graceful shapely girls have become graceful plump ladies,
parents have become grandparents, and the old people, well
they just had become older still. Sadly some of my best
friends had passed on to their reward, all of them much
younger than me! At the age of 69, going on 70 I enjoy the
respect of a “toeaina” (elderly person). That’s a double
whammy, priest and elderly!! (That deserves two
exclamation marks!!) The parish has two worship centres,
some two kilometres apart. One parish, but both centres
with a distinct character, based on the village culture.
The difference is remarkable!
PREPARATIONS FOR NEW SCHOOL But “you never stand in the same river twice”, an old
Greek Philosopher once said, and how true this is! Things
are the same, but not the same! And although if I have
settled down well in my present situation, I sometimes
hanker for the simple life of the “other island”. I have
been back a few times this year, for official and
unofficial purposes. The Salesians are developing a new
school on the “big island” as Savai'i is affectionately
known, and I have taken overseas visitors over to see the
place, first a jungle, then a denuded 8 acre plateau of
very stubborn lava rock that has taken months (and a lot
of money!) to level. We are now looking at the first
intake of students in January 2011 with not a building in
sight! It will be grassroots learning in the literal
sense! A few simple temporary Samoan “fales” (traditional
open house) may have to do! There have been so many delays
and problems that I am glad I am not there for that
project ! The building of the church, residence and parish
centre were really nothing compared to this. We have a
very capable Samoan priest taking care of the new school.
He is well connected in government circles, but “who you
know” is not always enough, not even in Samoa! So early
this year I had gone full circle, back to where I started
in 1987: Alafua, a village some 4 kms out of Apia. I live
with the Salesian community (2 Samoans, 1 Tongan and
myself) at our Don Bosco Technical Centre. I am assisted
in the Parish by a young (by Samoan standards) Samoan
priest, who also teaches at the Tech Centre.
GLIMPSES OF THE FUTURE Besides being the Parish priest I am also the economer of
the Salesians here at Alafua and the administrator of the
St John Bosco Preschool, with some 30 children Our “head”
church at Sinamoga attending. However, next year I will
relinquish my position in the parish and be only the
Director of the Salesian community, economer, and director
of maybe 6 aspiring young men wanting to join us. That
will be an entirely different area, in which I have little
or no practical experience. Never too old to learn! Until
a priest arrives from the Philippines (in March we hope)
one of the young Samoan priests from the Fiji formation
house will be here to help me.
LONGBOAT RACES The year has had it ups and downs, it would be boring if
it was all the same. One of the highlights surely was the
Tech Centre’s participation in the “Fautasi” races. A
“fautasi” is a longboat powered by 50 (give and take a
few) burly and brawny rowers. Once the traditional way of
getting around the many islands, they are now used in
races at important events such as American Flag Day
(American Samoa), Independence Day and Culture Week
(Samoa).
The lead up is frenetic, with a kind of boot camp (but not
in the negative sense) which is not only muscle and body
building, but more importantly character building and
working as a unit. Although we were not as successful as
in previous 'Don Bosco – One Beat' years (1 first and 2
seconds) the outcome for our boys has been very positive,
all coming out of it with the greater feeling of self
respect. And that is the real success of these events!
LIFE IN 'PARADISE' In September it was one year since Samoa switched the
side of the road we drive on. It actually feels as if we
have always been driving on the left. There were no great
problems. The speed limit is still 40kms on the main roads
and 25 in the city, but it is more like 40 in the city and
out of town any speed will do. There are few, if any
police checks. Laws are easily passed, but just as easily
ignored. Last year compulsory schooling (at least primary)
was passed into law (again) to stop the increasing number
of child vendors roaming the streets. Also, thanks to aid
from New Zealand and Australia every child should be able
to go to school. Where all the money (4½ million
dollars) has gone is not very clear, and the number of
kids on the street has not decreased. Although Primary
Education is supposed to be free the parents cannot afford
to send them to school. Instead they need their children
to get some income to feed the family! And of course,
uneducated children have no future. We can already see
this as gangs are beginning to appear, and criminality is
on the rise….
DAYLIGHT SAVING IN PARADISE! Believe it or not: Samoa has now DAYLIGHT SAVING! Our
all-wise Prime Minister, who knows what is good for the
people (so does not have to ask them), thought it was a
good idea and introduced a 6 months period of daylight
saving “to conserve energy”. It is not very popular, but
we have learned to live with the inconvenience. Samoan
people may complain, but they do as their leaders tell
them. What is more pernicious, however, is that a few
weeks ago, in spite of a groundswell of disapproval two
Casino licences were enacted. This is not going to do
Samoa any good, but the PM thinks it is, so we will see
what will happen. Like the road switch …. Get used to it
and get on with life!
HAPPY CHRISTMAS Late October the first decorations began to appear and in
November Christmas songs (and not the nice ones I
particularly like) began to come blaring out of shops. By
the time Christmas arrives the spirit has worn out….
However, most Churches have their own, more spiritual,
preparation programme in the weeks before Christmas with
choir, youth, Sunday school children and other groups
actively involved. They really put heart and soul into
celebrations and I am looking forward to the “Midnight
Mass” which is one of the highlights of the year.
I wish you all a very Happy and warm Christmas, full of
love and the delight that comes with it. To you and all
your dear ones: all the blessings and wishes for your
plans and dreams for the New Year.
(Fr) Nicholas* / Nick* (cross out what you do not find
applicable!).
_________________
AustraLasia
is an
email
service
for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also
functions as an
agency for ANS based
in Rome.
For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com
.
Use Bosconet-wiki
to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click
on
austraLasia
2010 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in
your browser
address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive
with the EAO blog
Cetera Tolle. Avail
yourself of the Salesian
Digital
Library
at http://sdl.sdb.org
