Araimiri Parish - Living the periphery of PNG

By Fr. Joseph Thanh, SDB
PGS Viceprovince

Araimiri, PNG, 11 May 2017 -- The name "ARAIMIRI" is quite familiar and popular to every Salesians and volunteers who have had experience in Papua New Guinea. It is a HISTORY, since it is the first mission establishment of the Salesians in PGS Vice Province today.

Because it is history, it always carries both ups and downs, thorns and thrones, grieves and glories, crosses and crowns. My first assignment here in this historical place was 2003 as a brother. After 14 years I am happy to come back here as parish priest. I am grateful to this place for the many endurance and perseverance of many Salesians who have been working so hard in order to 'survive' and to maintain it.

The great challenge for this history is because it is not built on stone or in the cave, but on sand and sea both literally and figuratively speaking. It is old in time but it always remains young and fragile. It always needs to renew and rebuild again and again in all aspects of life in which include Christian faith, education, economic, politics, etc... Due to these reasons, the area always remains as a forgotten, abandoned and neglected place in all politically, economically and religiously... On the other hand, the isolation of the area becomes an obstacle for the people to contact with the world outside the village life so that they can learn the other new ways of doing things, ways of thinkings and behaviors, ways of lives... from their own fellow countrymen/women who belong to the city and other provinces. This also drives the people to the lacking of motivation to develop, change and create.

I am enjoying living the rural lifestyle with the villagers: eat the local foods, stay in the leaf house. It is so interesting to the house that every time it rains, the waters will run through underneath of the house. At night as I lie down to sleep I can hear the strong winds blow, the waves roaring I feel the village I am living is too small to the nature. If God does not control the winds and waves, for sure, the village will be blown away or washed to the sea anytime. However, God is always good to his children. Trust in God's love and care everyday, I believe God is always here with us. Though the political and religious leaders might abandon us, but you Lord never forget and neglect us.

Understanding the Christian community is young and fragile, I won't take things for granted. I teach them how to respond in the Mass starting with children and youth, advice and instruct them the next steps in their Christian life after their Baptism. It is quite hard and challenge at the beginning but I believe the prayers have power and put all my trust in the Divine Mercy of Jesus and the intercession of Mary Help of Christians, our parish Patronage. In this month of May, month of Mary, I invite the whole parish offer prayers and devotion to Mary Help of Christians with 9 days Novena in different small Christian communities. The grace we need most in our parish now is renewal and conversion. Please join with us in your prayers for this intention.

As conclusion, many missionaries come and go from this historical place of Salesian mission, the place may not change much, but the people are still remaining in the place. They are remaining in the history of the Salesian mission. For the Salesians, the mission history is never old but it is always new to everyone and every time. We don't place the mission history in the museum but we always make the history alive. We are grateful for the past, live for the present and hope for the future. May the intercession of Our Mother Mary Help of Christians guide us.

Advance Happy Feast of Mary Help of Christians to one and all!

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