LEAUVA'A
(Samoa): 17
September 2013 --
A record number of more than 250 young people aged 16 – 26
gathered at
St Michael’s Parish, Leauva’a, to celebrate this year’s
SamBosco. In
addition to the large contingent of youth from Leauva’a
parish, other
participants joined the gathering of Salesian youth from St
Francis de
Sales parish in Salelologa, St John Bosco Parish in
Sinamoga/Moamoa,
Don Bosco High School and Vocational Centre in Salelologa and
Don Bosco
Technical Centre in Alafua. We were also especially blest this
year to
welcome the youth associated with the Salesian Sisters
involvement in
the parish at Malololelei.
Friday afternoon and evening was dominated by food, a
welcoming
ceremony, food, a peaceful but thought provoking prayer
service led by
the Malololelie Salesian Sisters and their youth, a
multi-media input
session on the “Gospel of Joy” theme by Fr Sefo Mulipola, an
extraordinary beautiful session of Samoan style Taize prayer,
again led
the Sisters, with opportunities for confession for those who
so chose
(and many did) and then more food including a giant cake for
Don
Bosco’s birthday!
Saturday morning started slowly … it was an early rising
though so that
everyone could attend 6:00 am Mass (YES, that's right 6:00 am
Mass)
with Fr Paselio Tevaga as the main celebrant. Again, despite
the
tiredness generated by too few hours of sleep, the early
morning Mass
was a very beautiful moment of prayer, peace, and quite
reflection …
and there were moments when that deep stillness that can only
be
generated through the celebration of the Eucharist enabled us
to
experience the presence of Christ in an extraordinary wordless
manner.
A jazz session designed to get the adrenalin pumping was
followed by
breakfast. The main morning activity was an input session with
the
Police, who gave a well presented and thoughtfully received
presentation on good citizenship. The police presentation
provoked a
number of thoughtful questions focusing upon rights and
responsibilities of youth in terms of their relationship with
the
police.
And then it was time for fun and games … and RAIN. Now sooner
had the
six groups (Magone, Rua, Mazzarello, Savio, Besucco, Laura and
De
Sales) been established and prepared to march in procession
onto the
field at St Michael’s than the rain began to tumble from the
skies,
without let-up, without pause, without faltering for hours and
hours
and hours. Yet, the rain was unable to dampen the spirit of
the moment
and the games proceeded, with the wet and slippery conditions
only
adding to the fun and hilarity of the moment. The Salesian
Brothers in
practical training did a wonderful job in organising the games
and this
was reflected by the undaunted spirit of joy and happiness
they
generated.
Lunch was followed by a typically Samoan period of rest that
eventually
led into singing practice in preparation for the Sunday parish
Mass.
And then it was time for more group activities.
After a period of free time, the evening meal was served, with
the
cooking being done by a dedicated team of local parishioners
and
members of the Leauva’a youth.
Then there was “the concert”! Wow! What a feast of talent,
hilarity and
joyfulness. Samoans have an innate talent for entertainment
and a
beautiful way of being able to share the joy of each other’s
gifts. And
so there was music, dance, mime, skits, recitals, singing and
lots and
lots and lots of laughter.
Sunday morning Mass at Leauva’a is a sensational celebration
of life
and faith any Sunday, with crowds filling the large church on
a weekly
basis. The final SamBosco Mass saw the Church overflowing as
it does
only at Easter and Christmas. It was literally standing room
only in
the immaculately prepared church festooned on the outside with
flags
and bunting and on the inside with flowers in abundance. The
voices of
the combined SamBosco choir pierced the heavens and made the
Mass, led
by Fr Sefo Mulipolo, particularly special. Fr Filipo Kapeli
gave a
stirring homily about our hearts being set on fire by the Holy
Spirit,
and each of the three parish groups presented a short song and
dance
reflection.
Departures are almost always tinged with sadness and so it was
during
the concluding moments of SamBosco. After having shared the
energy,
spirit and communion of the “Gospel of Joy” in prayer,
friendship,
games, groups, conversations and activities all weekend,
everyone was
reluctant to leave. Yet there were ferries to catch and
families
waiting. Tears of sadness mingled with tears of happiness as
new
friends departed already eager to meet again next year for
SamBosco
2014 at Sinamoga, Moamoa, Alafua.
