austraLasia #2545
 
Christ the King feast at Tetere
Fr. Ambrose Pereira sdb

From a small mustard seed comes a large bush,
From a tiny acorn grows a huge oak tree
From humble structures emerge great edifices
From humble beginnings as a small parish some 45 years ago emerges a large parish church – but the structure is not important.  It is the people who form the church.

TETERE (Solomon Islands): 23rd November 2009 -- Over 2000 parishioners, guests and well wishers gathered at Christ the King parish, Tetere, for the blessings of the re-dimensioned parish church, on 22nd November, 2009.
    The Solemn Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Archbishop Adrian Smith sm, Archbishop of Honiara.  Concelebrating with him was Fr. Loro Piana sdb, Novice Master and delegate of the Provincial of the Salesian Province of Japan, Fr. Iida Tetsu sdb, former Assistant Parish Priest, Salesian Province of Japan, Fr. Pankaj Xalxo sdb, representative of the Delegate of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands and several other priests.  The blessing on this special day – the feast of the parish was blessed with the Confirmation of 11 candidates and the celebration of fidelity of 9 married couples.
    In congratulating the candidates of Confirmation as they become full members of the church, Archbishop Smith stressed the need to grow up as good men and women bearing witness to Christ.  He thanked the married couples for their examples of fidelity and commitment to each other as this was a very vivid sign for the church and for society.  He reminded them of the dangers of kwaso, Solbrew, marijuana and uncommitted relationships. 
    In recalling the history of the parish he thanked the Lord for the blessings received.  He made mention of the Quan family who donated the land to the church for a parish.  He thanked Fr. Gerry Bruns sm who along with Fr. Noel Fox sm shifted the parish from Suva to its present location at Grove, Tetere in 1967.  He thanked the Salesians who arrived 15 years ago to care for the pastoral needs of the parish and later establish a good school for the people.
    He encouraged the people to follow Christ the King, whose kingdom was not in land, power or position, but the ability to bear witness to Christ the Gospel way.  “Go to every corner of the World and proclaim the Good News” was his concluding words.
    The present re-dimensioned church commenced with the initial contribution of the Rector Major of the Salesian Society about a year ago.  Divine Providence sent smaller contributions through others, while the parishioners made efforts towards fund raising”, said Fr. Dominic Kachira sdb, parish priest who with his Salesian confreres has seen to the entire reconstruction. 
    The Eucharistic celebration was followed by feasting and entertainment.

  _________________
 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 . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2009 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

Title: australasia 2545
Subject and key words: EAO Provinces: PNG/SI Tetere Church
Date (year): 2009
ID: 2000-2099|2545