Alotau, PNG, 3 October 2018 -- “I have learnt that contraception is against the teaching of the Church. Furthermore, the full implications of side effects that are not told to the person who undergoes contraception. My mother is a nurse. She is engaged in inserting implants in women. When I go home, I will tell her to stop this practice as we need to protect, promote and enhance life”, said Betty Thomas, Tourism and Hospitality student at St Anne Skill Training Institute, Sideia, Alotau.

Betty is a student of the St Anne Skill Training Institute, Sidiea, Alotau. She was among the 700+ persons who attended a very inspiring Human Life Seminar by US based Dr Brian Clowes, PhD and Dr Ligaya A. Acosta, Regional Director Asia-Oceania. The day’s program also included a session on ‘Technology: Use and effects’. The session was conducted by Fr Ambrose Pereira sdb, Secretary for Youth and Communications.

The inspiring sessions were interspaced with testimonies and interesting video clips. At the end of the day, the audience were invited to pledge to ‘live pure’ till the Sacrament of Marriage. Palms raised, the participants committed themselves to a life of purity, respect persons and protect life of the unborn.

Learn to be loved

It was a beautiful realization to reflect on Melenesian way of life particularly the different values and to see where these values assimilate with the Salesian Charism. Thanks to Fr. Provincial for the first Melenesian Salesian encounter. The phrases that was raised by the provincial that captivated my mind all throughout the encounter was this to critically appreciate our culture and to critically live our Salesian Charism. A reflection of the encounter on integration between the Melenesian traditions and Salesian Charism.

Like other cultures, Melanesian culture too, had in itself its values that needs to be seen in the light of the gospel’. There are many things that needs to be learned and unlearnt. As Fr. Alfred said, to critically appreciate our culture and to live the Salesian charism critically. It is stunning in words but difficult for the two to blend. But I’ve realized the two has some points that blends. Among the three elements of preventive system, Reason is the only bond of unders tanding between two systems.

For instance, Don Bosco says that the boys must know that they are loved by reasoning and dialogue. Culturally too, the security of people’s lives is preserved by the art reasoning of the big man, Kukurai, or Chief.

Problems, issues difficulties are solved by dialogue. It is making oneself learn how to be loved to mend broken relationships, build bridges to unite people. This is actually what Don Bosco wanted his sons to develop. “Learn how to be loved” The challenge is intellectual pride where one thinks he knows but not. I’ve realized that reason should be of high standard for better understanding of the illiterate. To replace intellectual pride to intellectual humility, the ability to go down to the level of the people to raise them up, at times it is our ego that blind us to see our defects and we become mauswaraman. But I have come to appreciate my culture and at the same time it had opened my insights to see the advantages of multi-cultural ideas blending together for one purpose to save souls.

A fun Filled Oratory Closing

Bomana -- On the 30th of September 2018, we the aspirants of Savio Haus hosted the closing of the Oratories at Bomana, Catholic Theological Institute of Port Moresby. The newly relocated residential area of the Salesian Formation House out of Don Bosco Technological Institute, Boroko, Taurama.

This year is the second occurrence of the official closing of the Oratory from five centers which aspirants attends on Sunday afternoons in simple and challenging apostolates excluding Pari. With young lively youths from Gabutu, Sabama, Pari, DBTI, and the home team. A total of 250 persons (participants and animators) participated in the event.

The Oratorians were welcomed and treated with tasty snacks upon their arrival. Then they were then divided into 4 colors red - yellow, blue and green. Field sports that included touch rugby, soccer and volleyball were enjoyed by the participants. They played in their gender groups and all enjoyed running, screaming and cheering their teammates. Joy and excitement was clearly written on their faces as they enjoyed the themselves on the cloudy afternoon.

Later in the afternoon, they gathered into their oratory settings and a Bible Quiz Bee and item presentation was held. The icing on the cake was the item of the aspirants. The oratorians cheered and sang, clapped and danced, boosing the aspirants.

Prizes were then awarded to the colour groups and individuals who were the best players of each sport. The young lads of Pari grabbed the winning spot for the Bible Quiz Bee. An inspirational talk by Fr. Arial Magatangay sdb left everyone with the question: ‘Why did Don Bosco work for the Salvation of Souls?’ “Don Bosco wants you to be happy in this life and the next”, said Fr. Ariel. Finally, Fr. Dominic Kachira sdb, Rector of Savio Haus closed the Oratory Day with a prayer. Lunch packets donated generously by our many benefactors were then received by every participant.

As aspirants, the Oratory Day has challenged us to be effective Salesian Facilitators and reminded us of the many neglected and abandoned youths in the peripheries of our society. It was a day of unity and collaboration of equality, love and peace that highlighted the common good and the dignity of human person and most importantly his or her soul.