The Eucharist was presided over by the representative of the Rector Major Fr Klement Vaclav SDB, Regional Councillor for the East Asia Oceania Region (EAO). Among the 28 concelebrants were Fr Paul Bicomong SDB, Provincial of the province of Philippines North, (FIN), Fr Nicolas Guidi, First Secretary of the Apostolic Nuncio, Fr Victor Roche SVD, Secretary for the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, Fr Mario Bacliq SDB, retreat preacher and all the priests of the PGS delegation.
Recalling the words of Christ, ‘Do Not be afraid, I am with you always’, Fr Klement reflected on the Lord’s concern to form his disciples by his own example. He stressed ‘Witnessing as our first Mission’ and encouraged the new provincial to witness by his example and work together with his confreres, the young and the members of the Salesian family.
Dwelling on Blessed Philip Rinaldi, the patron of the new vice-province, he invited all to follow in the footsteps of this faithful disciple of Don Bosco, imitate his missionary zeal, be men of God, build up the Salesian Family groups and be filial Sons of Mary.
Fr Klement also paid tribute to the pioneers, especially Fr Valeriano Barbero SDB and others who sowed the Salesian seeds in Papua New Guinea 36 years ago. He recalled the memory of Bishop Francis Misobe Osamu SDB, who was instrumental in establishing the first Salesian presence in the Solomon Islands 22 years ago.
He also stressed that “there is a big leap from a Delegation to an ‘independent’ Vice-province” and referring to the consultation process highlighted some of the main priorities:
Strengthen formation: qualifications, structures, aspirants; give special importance to the vocation ministry and care for local vocations; answer the needs of poor youngsters, go beyond our institutions; send more (new) missionaries to the Vice-province; consolidate the quality and quantitative consistency of the communities.
After the homily, Fr Peter made the profession of faith, signed the documents and was presented with an icon of the vine and the branches, amidst the applause of the entire congregation.
The liturgy was animated by the students of Don Bosco Technological Institute, Boroko under the leadership of Fr Clifford Morais SDB. Dances by the Sepik and West New Britain groups added a Melanesian flavour to the celebration.
A gathering of nearly 500 people, representing the entire Salesian family, joined in the festive dinner to congratulate the new Superior. Thanks go to Fr Louie Castañeda SDB and his team of dedicated collaborators who coordinated the programme. Lively items by different groups entertained the gathering at the celebration.
Before the liturgical celebration as a symbol of the growth of the new province, an avocado sapling was planted in the soon to be completed vice-provincial house.
Source: AustraLasia
