3078 Ordination in Samoa
austraLasia #3078
Ordination in Samoa
SALELOLOGA
(Samoa): 3 June 2012 --
Tuesday May 29th: "In these days we need real priests, not
counterfeit
priests". This was just one of the thoughts Archbishop Alapati
Lui
Mataeliga presented to the congregation that filled the
Salelologa
church on the occasion of the Ordination of Filipo Kapeli to
the
Priesthood. In a joyful ceremony enriched with cultural
customs Filipo
was ordained "a priest forever" in front of proud parents,
family and
many friends.
Concelebrating with the Archbishop were Father Greg Chambers,
the
Provincial Superior of The Australian Pacific Province, Frs
Peter
Rankin and Elio Proietto from Australia, Fr Taisali,
representing the
Salesian Community of Suva, Fiji, Fr Mika Leilua as
representative of
the Salesian Community in New Zealand, and all Salesian
Fathers,
brothers and seminarians from Upolu and Savaii were present.
Sister
Lavalea FMA represented the Salesian Sisters. Fr Mosese
Vitolio Tui,
the Parish Priest of the Parish of St Francis of Sales, was
the
hospitable and efficient host to the many visitors. Frs Chris
Ford and
Petelo Pau from Leauvaa Parish where Filipo served as deacon
in
preparation for his ordination played an important part in the
preparation of the souvenir booklet. Brothers Ralph Nansen and
Tevita
Nuku Lefai led the choir that excelled itself in a beautiful
performance of the hymns and Litany.After the ceremony Filipo
blessed
his parents, family and the many friends that attended.
The Ordination Mass was followed by a happy gathering in the
Parish
Hall where food was plentiful, the entertainment (traditional
dancing)
beautiful and the presentation of the traditional gifts
bountiful.
On Wednesday May 30th Father Filipo celebrated his First Mass
in his
own village and Father Provincial presented Filipo with the
cloth with
sacred chrism oil to Salote, Filipo's mother. Again a
sumptuous meal
and presentation of gifts followed, before all the guests
left, filled
with joy for having been part of this wonderful event.
