SUVA: 19th December '04 -- This weekend saw the Final Profession ceremony of the six Pacifican Salesians who, six years ago, were the 'founding group' of this new formation community in Fiji.  They are Bros. Isaia Bourne, Falani Felise, Sio Gisa, Taisali Leuluai, Aleki Piula and Patemo Sialau.  They professed their final vowed commitment to Fr. Ian Murdoch, Provincial of the Australian province to which Fiji and Samoa belong.

    The six seminarians, including five Samoans and one Tongan, Aleki, came to Don Bosco House, Suva immediately after they had completed their novitiate in Apia, Samoa, at the beginning of 1999.  It was their task, along with their Salesian formators, to establish the community.  In that first year, they were without a home of their own and were housed in a Marist Brothers building which was available for that year only.  By the Year 2000, Don Bosco House Nakasi had been found, bought and prepared for its new occupants.  In the subsequent years, the building and its surrounds have been transformed by those living there into a vibrant Salesian presence, not just for the immediate area, but for The Pacific Regional (Theological) College, Suva City, the main island of Viti Levu and to a certain extent for all of Fiji.

    The six newly perpetually-professed Salesians spent their practical training years spread between Australia and Papua New Guinea - Falani in Sydney at St. Mary's Youth Centre and Parish, and the other five in various Salesian centres in PNG.  They are now in their final two years of studies for the priesthood.

    austraLasia takes special pride in congratulating this group, and the Salesians there in Fiji who have journeyed with them over the years.

___________________________