austraLasia #2515

We'll make some effort to return to the regular fare, knowing of course that across our region our men and women are responding to three natural disasters. If you wish to read an eyewitness account of the Tsunami striking the shores of Savai'i island in Samoa, read Fr Nick's account here, and use it is a little moment of prayer for those who have died, those who remain to bear the memories. When Nick wrote this he did not know of the events that had unfolded in Tonga....

Santu Maikel was-santu bilong PNG
(read the item to understand the title)
 
KUMGI: 1st October 2009 --  After an hour's drive West on the Highlands Highway, with holes and  groups of people PNG style, a fee of one Kina to a group of youngsters “fixing” a hole, and after giving a lift to more than a dozen youngsters on the last 6 km stretch to the main station of the Kuli parish, we got to the place of this year’s celebration of St. Michael the Archangel by the Michaelites of PNG – Australia.
    The Eucharistic celebration got underway, PNG time, (only 15 minutes after ten) with different “singsing” groups leading servers and clergy to the altar prepared on a special stage set up in the open space where the first “kunay” church had been. Mt. Hagen’s  retired  Arch. Michael Mayer, SVD, presided and recalled the Archangels’ passages in the Bible. He recalled how PNG 34 years ago in its “Mama Lo” (constitution) called itself a Christian country, the bishops proclaimed St. Michael as its “was-santu” (was = watching, so 'protector' or Patron Saint). There is great need in the fight with evil spirits that still affect many people’s life in many forms, including tribal fights and sorcery.
    The triple celebration was prepared by the Michaelites who preceeded the SDB in PNG by coming to help in the Enga province in 1970. Blessed Bronislaus Markiewicz had been with Don Bosco and brought his way of love for orphans to Poland. His followers are now members of the Salesian Family and this was very visible at the celebrations they have organized over the years where the young people always have been centre stage and protagonists of liturgies and cultural activities.
    The St. Michael celebration saw a good presence of parishioners even from far away out-stations. There were also many friends of the Congregation even from other dioceses, among them sisters, brothers and priest “wantoks” of Fr. Bogdan, parish priest and superior and of the veteran Fr. Ziggy, both Michaelites leading the celebration.
    The CSMA’s have a soon-to-be-ordained deacon, national members, and others who have professed and are in different stages of formation in PNG (Fatima – Banz and Vanimo) and in Australia. In this 150th year of of the SDB it is really pleasing to see how the seed has grown and become a tree and the tree a forest.
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Title: australasia 2515
Subject and key words: Salesian Family: Michaelites PNG
Date (year): 2009
ID: 2000-2099|2515