PORT MOREBSY: 17 July 2011 -- The country’s
tourism advertisement for Papua New Guinea calls it the
“land of the unexpected”. On the 17th July 2011, Sunday, the
Salesian Family of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands
had a full dose of that!
The annual gathering of the Salesian
Family is one that everyone eagerly longs for since for
most, especially those living in far flung islands or deep
in the “bush”, this is the only time the members meet. And
this year was no different.
Fr Dominic Kachira and the community of
Don Bosco Technical School in Port Moresby warmly welcomed
the various groups of the Salesian Family. At the very first
event, the unexpected happened! Fr. Rafael Galve, the
delegation superior, who was to be feted that day and was
scheduled to preside at the opening Eucharist, was suddenly
struck down by malaria! Luckily, he was able to persuade Fr
Martin Macasaet SDB, who had come from Manila to preach the
confrere’s retreats, to stand in his stead. The Mass was
festive with the music and choir provided by the Salesian
Cooperators and punctuated with three colorful traditional
dances by the aspirants of the Savio Haus, the Cooperators
and the Salesianity Group from Don Bosco Technological
Institute (DBTI). Vocational candidates to the various
members of the Salesian Family were involved in keeping with
the strenna “Come and See”.
After the liturgical service, everyone
trooped across to the school’s gymnasium for fun and games.
Mixed in four color camps, the participants competed in
staple group games like tug-of-war, musical chairs, “the
boat is sinking”, “dressing for market” and the like. Led by
the young people from the Salesianity Group, the games had
everyone in stitches. It was a wonderful way of bonding and
exuding Salesian joy.
The traditional kaikai or common meal was
held underneath the mango trees. The potluck lunch was
abundant with all the groups pitching in their generous
share. There was even a roasted pig (from the Cooperators)
and the much desired ice cream (from the Gabutu community)
which helped to cool one off in the extraordinary heat.
The highlight of the day was the
afternoon presentation which was a surprise tribute to the
Salesian pioneer to Papua New Guinea, Fr Valeriano Barbero,
SDB, also lovingly called “Fr Val”. Fr Val was the rector of
the pioneering group of Salesians who arrived in Araimiri on
14 June 1980. Through the decades he had helped to establish
other presences and had twice served as the delegation
leader. The Salesian Family took pains to keep the tribute
secret and was delighted in successfully pulling off the
unexpected for such a worthy Salesian. Fr Edwin Genovia,
SDB, who had been with Fr Val, as a young practical trainee
in 1986, recalled the early days as “the best of times, the
worst of times”. Sr Alice Fulgencio, FMA, led Sr Pam Vecina
and Sr Trinh Nguyen, together with the youth of the
Salesianity Group in an original song and dance presentation
with a PowerPoint presentation of Fr. Val’s early mission
apostolate. Sr Florentina Cho, CSJ gave a
heartfelt speech recalling the early days of the Caritas
Sisters when they arrived in Araimiri in 1986. Sr
Florentina, who had been a young sister at that time,
narrated numerous stories of Fr Val’s concern for them and
capped this with stirring, operatic performance of “O Sole
Mio”.
A high point of the program was a medley
of songs belted out by Fr Zdzislaw Kruczek, CSMA
who included the traditional Polish song “Sto lat” (One
hundred years!) in his repertoire!
The Cooperators – both the Port Moresby
and Kokopo Chapters, the Association of Mary Help of
Christians and the Aspirants also presented their songs and
gifts, while the Past Pupils donated the prizes for the
games. Fittingly, the final group were the Salesians (SDBs)
themselves who made the audience wild with their rendition
of “Eres Tu” (with a Spanish solo by Fr. Heraldo Bosquez,
SDB) and the 70’s Carpenters’ hit “Top of the World”.
Finally, they brought the house down with
an animated performance of the Los del Rio dance classic,
“Macarena” — complete with all the gyrations. Tears welled
in Fr Val’s eyes as the afternoon ended with a second (and
more comprehensive) ten minute PowerPoint presentation of
his mission life through the decades. Fr Val thanked
everyone for this truly unexpected tribute remarking that
the afternoon would be a “picture which would remain in his
heart”.
The day concluded with a grand group
picture taking. Kudos to Sr Alice Fulgencio, FMA and the
other members of the organizing committee for pulling off
the unexpected and making it truly memorable! _________________ 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
. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click
on austraLasia 2011 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
