Honiara, Solomon Islands, 30 November 2017 -- One year since the Salesian Mission in the two countries of the Pacific: Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Solomon Islands (SI), became vice-Province (PGS) all three Salesian parish priests were gathered together for the first time at DBTI Henderson - Honiara, Solomon Islands.
The vice-Province is rendering the services and mission in three parishes among the two countries. Two in PNG and one in SI. They are Mary Help of Christians parish Araimiri - Gulf province, PNG (Parish Priest - Fr. Joseph Thanh), Mary Help of Christians parish Sabama - Port Moresby, PNG, (Fr. Sonny Fajardo) and Christ the King parish Tetere - Guadalcanal province, SI (Fr. Albert Lenon)
On Sunday 26th November, the three parish priests together with the provincial superior - Fr. Alfred Maravilla, joined with all the parishioners of Christ the King parish, Tetere on the occasion of their feast day as they were joyfully and gratefully celebrating 50th anniversary of the parish.
The meetings on the 27th and 28th were the mutual sharing about the present situations of each parish and the experiences in parish animation and management in own its strengths and weaknesses. The parish priests were reviewing again the duty statements according to the Code of Canon Law and our General Regulations.
All the efforts are encouraged and appreciated as long as they ensure that the Salesian parish should not being run in the same way with the other diocesan parishes. In such a way that the option for young people in the Salesian parish is not exclusive or discriminatory, but a preferential. The parish is the face of the Church. It is the point reference in its locality which makes the Church visible in everyday life. The parish believes that the Kingdom of God has the poor as its beneficiaries and privileged target.
At the closing of the two days meeting every parish was encouraged to form its own Vision-Mission according the Vision-Mission of the PGS Vice-Province. The Salesian parish priests renew their commitments once again to this mission in the vice-Province with the inspiration of Saint Francis de Sales "Do not speak about God to one who does not ask you to do so. But live in such a way that sooner or later he will ask you about Him."
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Christ the King Parish Tetere, Golden Jubilee Celebrations
Tetere, Solomon Islands, 26 November 2017 -- Christ the King Parish in Tetere, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands celebrated 50 years as a parish. The parish of Christ the King - was entrusted to the Marists in 1967. It was passed on to the Dominicans in 1990. In 1995, the Salesians of Don Bosco were entrusted with the parish. Its first parish priest was Fr. Pedro Balcazar sdb, who belongs to the Province of Japan. This parish was the missionary frontier of the province.
The Thanksgiving Mass was presided over by His Excellency Archbishop Christopher Cardone, OP, DD, Archbishop of Honiara. Several priests, the Superior of the Vincentians in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, Provincial of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, Salesians working in the 2 presences of Henderson and Tetere, Fr. Achille Loropiana the Parish Priest of Himonya Parish, Japan and its Chairman, Mr. Kamaguchi, two Salesian priests who have been assigned previously in the parish. Three groups Sisters who are actively working in the parish were present to join the parishioners in this joyous and festive celebration: the Daughters of Mary Immaculate, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, and the La Pieta Sisters. Guests from around the Archdiocese, parishioners and friends were there join in the celebrations of this milestone of the parish.
In his homily, the Archbishop highlighted the theme of the parish on its Golden Jubilee; “Laka Toba Vanira I Thau I Ngenide Mi Naghora – gratitude to all the good people: missionaries and locals of the area who have been instrumental in its foundation - priests, religious and lay leaders who are animating and inspiring the growth of the parish communities; envisioning a renewed parish community. He recalled the historic moment of St. John Paul II’s visit to Solomon Islands and drawing out from his words, he underlined the importance of remembering the past: early missionaries who have come and offered their lives for the people, caring for their needs, nourishing and sustaining their faith; celebrating the present, continuing the legacy of the missionaries and lay leaders, championing their cause and values, promoting and deepening the radical call of the Gospel of transformation and entrusting the future with hope.
Twenty-four young people of the parish received the Sacrament of Confirmation from the Archbishop. Seven married couples were given due recognition for their faithfulness in witnessing to their marriage vows.
Before the end of the Mass, the Parish Priest, Fr. Albert Lenon on behalf of the parish community, acknowledged and presented a token of appreciation to the Archbishop and several guests.
After the Eucharistic celebration, the parish priest together with the Jubilee Committee provided a wholesome lunch for everybody. The celebrations continued with traditional sharing of food for guests, parish groups and communities. A feeling of gratitude, sense of pride for the present and confidently looking ahead towards a parish community where truly Christ is the King was evident.
