4703_Secretary of State celebrates mass with Laity and Youth
Cardinal Pietro Parolin visited the Mary Help of Christians Parish
April 20, 2018
Port Moresby, PNG, 14 April, 2018 -- Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin was the main celebrant at a Eucharistic celebration for the Laity and Youth which was held on Saturday 14 April, 2018.
It was held at the Mary Help of Christians Parish in DBTI where a congregation of almost 1,000 plus gathered.
Dressed in traditional attire, a group of Bougainvillean and Tolai dancers led the entrance and offertory processions with St. Mary’s Cathedral Choir powerfully enhancing the prayerful atmosphere with their angelic voices.
“We are all called for the proclamation, sanctification and service of the Gospel and God’s message must go out into the world,” Cardinal Parolin responded to questions in relation to family relationships, youth and young people from all walks of life, and the cause for canonisation of Blessed Peter ToRoT.
He informed all that were present that the Holy Father remembered each of them in his heart and said that every human person is important be it old, young as long as we are involved in the work of evangelisation.
In your daily lives and work, you and your families put into practise the values of the Kingdom to those that you meet. Family ties are very important. Protect families through Sacrament of Matrimony. More vocations should be encouraged from Christian families.
His Eminence stated: “Families that pray together, stays together despite of the difficulties they face.”
A large painting of Blessed Peter ToRot was presented to Cardinal Parolin for blessing which was painted by a Korean Artist. Gifts were also presented to Cardinal Parolin by two Parishioners of St. Mary’s Cathedral.
The President of Catholic Professional Society of PNG, Paul Harricknen in his concluding remarks thanked Cardinal Parolin for his presence with the laity and the youth and wished him a safe trip back to Rome.
It was a moment of blessing for the local Church in PNG, Solomon Islands and the Oceania region. It was also the first high-ranking visit from the Vatican since the last visit by Pope St. John Paul II in 1995.
