Port Moresby, PNG, 14 April 2018 -- The Parish of Mary Help of Christians, Sabama launched its Silver Jubilee and the Year of Youth the 3rdSunday of Easter, 14th April, 2018, at Don Bosco Technical School, Gabutu.
Present to witness the two launches was Archbishop Mark Coleridge, Archdiocese of Brisbane, Bishop Otto Separy, Diocese of Aitape, Bishop Dairusz, Diocese of Goroka and Msgr. Gerard Burns, Vicar General of Wellington and President of Caritas Oceania.
The visiting Bishops of the FCBCO Assembly celebrated the Sunday Eucharist in the chapel of Don Bosco Technical School Gabutu. It serves as a mass centre for the parish on Sundays. The chapel was once visited by St. John Paul II in 1995, It was filled to capacity with parishioners from Sabama, Pari, Serokone and Gabutu.
Children, young people and adults were in joyful chorus as they actively participated in the mass. Culture and faith once again merged through the traditional singsingthat accompanied the entrance, offertory and recessional processions.
Before the final blessing, some youth from Pari sung and animated the theme song of the Jubilee celebration titled Shine! Silver Jubilee. Afterwards, Fr. Angel Sanchez, SDB the Rector of the community thanked the Bishops for blessing everyone with their presence.
Parishioners then gathered inside the hall after the mass for the Entertainment Program and the launching of the Year of Youth. The program prepared by the parish leaders included not only item presentations but also reports from the different committees preparing the road to next year’s 25thYear as a Parish with the theme “Growing, Serving, Renewing.”
Reports from the Liturgy, Invitation, Finance, Food, Logistics and Entertainment committees were presented. A talk on Family Life was given by Mr. George Isoaimo, a parishioner, Salesian Educator and Cooperator.
Kaikai and more item presentations followed at the PCTA Park. The day concluded on a high note and with the last load of parishioners transported to their drop-off point.
