austraLasia #1721

Christ the King Parish, Tetere, takes stock

HONIARA: 30th December 2006 -- North East Guadalcanal Christ the King Parish, with Fr Luciano Capelli as PP, is taking stock of 2006 on the basis of Matthew 25:31-46. They felt the need to note what the King might say if they didn't!  Accordingly, the balance sheet reads thus:
    'I was hungry...': It took 6 years to get the landowners to agree, a year to prepare the paddy fields, three months of hard work by students to sow, weed and control pests - and then the harvest! But the SI Minister for Agriculture, the Taiwanese Ambassador, and Salesian Delegate for PNG-SI have all pronounced the effort a success. 24 tonnes of rice is indeed a 'good meal' for many parishioners - and the water which spoiled the root crops provided water in abundance for rice.  'It's an ill wind...'.
    'I was thirsty...': Various projects are underway to provide potable water - iron roofs on church structures, deep wells, and simple wells provided with the aid of Italian volunteers.
    'I was sick...': The parish counts 19,000 people provided for by a part-time doctor resident in Honiara, a district health centre with resident nurses, and three health sub-stations. The roof is being laid on a 32 bed hospital built by Italian volunteers.
    'Let the children come....' (not Mt 25, but what the heck!): as a Salesian Parish, children and older youth find there the care and welcome of a religious and parish community. Sunday schools operate in all villages and some kindergartens prepare them for going to school. Families are prepared so they may see the importance of basic education.
    'I was naked...': (back on track!): the Tailoring school at the Rural Training Centre and courses at the centre and in the villages offered a needed change of clothes where extra clothing is but a dream.
    'I was in prison...': Tetere prison, built to take an overflow and to help 'decongest' Honiara prison facilities, has also received the pastoral care of the parish community.
    'I was lonely...': Many more mountain villages this year saw Christmas lights because of new, young and energetic missionaries. They were joined by young volunteers from Japan. It takes several hours walking through thick bush and across rivers but they were not left alone. They feel now that they too belong to a community.
    The installation of the Rector and the establishment of a canonical community marked a milestone in the growth of the missionary presence in the Solomons. Thanks be to God's grace, it grows in the sight of God and human beings.
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