Subject: 'austraLasia' #263

Catholic Communications Solomons

Ambrose Pereira sdb

... 24th November, 1999

CATHOLIC YOUTH GROUP VISITS ROVE PRISON

23rd November, 99; ROVE – The Holy Cross Youth Group visited the Rove Prison

on Saturday last week to share their time and talent with the young

prisoners.

The reason for this visit was that they felt there is need to reach out to

their fellow youths that have been victims of the many problems and

pressures in today’s society. The visit to the prison was the outcome of the

meeting held at Holy Cross recently. In the Rove Prison, the youths had

first-hand experience of the pains these problems can inflict to their

victims.

The youths presented an inspiring skit in mime, song and dance portraying

their pressures and struggles. In their skit, Evil was defeated by Good

after a long struggle.

By their joyful presence and sincere respect for their fellow youths behind

bars, the young men and young ladies were able to capture their attention,

their active participation in games, songs and dances and most of all their

hearts. The parting songs and handshakes after two and half-hours of

youthful interaction saw many eyes in tears. The Catholic Youth will return

again to the prison in future.

Organisers of the trip have announced that they would establish a project

where the prisoners can participate in. They include training for skills to

make themselves useful. Preparations for this are underway.

Solomon Star - 23rd November, 99

TETERE PARISH COMES OUT FREELY TO CELEBRATE CHURCH DAY

TETERE – 24th November:

For the first time after months of hiding, the people of Tetere Parish came

out freely last week and moved about for their yearly celebration in honour

of the patron of the parish – Christ the King.

More than 2000 people from the neighbouring villages came pounding since the

day before the celebration to help prepare the place for the right mood.

The Bumana and Tenaru seminarians did a good job in helping Brother Tanaka

in setting the place right. Grass cutting, repainting, cleaning was also

done by the preparatory committee. The two parish trucks did hard work or

taking the people from the farthest villages of Komporo, Talaura, Swagi and

Sali. The solemnity of the celebration was made more visible by a lovely

altar backdrop with graphics and the words – Peace, Love, Truth & Justice

and Your Kingdom Come ! The presence of the Anglican community added the

ecumenical touch.

In his homily, the acting parish priest, Fr. Luciano Capelli, Salesians of

Don Bosco, described how each of the four ingredients of the kingdom is

essentially needed. Comparing the ingredients of local soup, the celebrant

elaborated how the absence of one ingredient or the presence of the same but

in the wrong proportion can destroy the taste of the soup and the

effectiveness of working for the kingdom.

"Recently we have searched for justice", he said, "but what about the other

ingredients of the kingdom? What about love, truth, peace". It was a sad

fact that the parish community that used to be greatly made up of Malaitan

brothers and sisters was now exclusively made up of Guadalcanal

parishioners. "This should make us think and pray more", he added.

The songs and dances that followed a well-prepared meal saw the people

happy, being together after such a long time of isolation.

The ceremony ended with all villages interacting and sharing peacefully

their renewed trust in Christ the King!

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