As many as 1,079 students took part in the welcoming ceremony for the Regional Councilor, which was led by the school's missionary group and also saw the presence of the Superior of the Vice-Province, Fr Gregorio Bicomong, the work’s Rector, Fr Pedro Sachitula, Fr Ambrose Pereira, spiritual moderator, and the Principal of the institute, Martin Dai.
After the presentation of various gifts typical of the local culture to Fr Phuoc, Fr Bicomong explained to the school’s students the role and functions of the Regional Superior and the international structure of the Congregation.
Then, taking the floor, Fr Phuoc spoke on two points: first he shared the Rector Major's greetings to the young people of Papua New Guinea, and underscored the "communion" between all Salesian institutions in the world; then he touched on the theme of gratitude, inviting each student to be grateful for the education they receive at the "Don Bosco" school.
"Thanks to the dedicated and committed Salesian missionaries who left their countries to come to the beautiful land of Papua New Guinea. Thanks to the qualified staff and teachers who spend their lives in the service of educating the young. Gratitude for the wonderful facilities that are present in the campus, and above all gratitude to God who has made all things possible," Fr Phuoc said.
The young people present were delighted with this frank and profound exchange. "“I feel that we are part of a big family of Don Bosco all around the world. And Fr. Joseph statement moved me. He said, all the Salesians that you see here will get old and you are the ones who are going to take our place... and for some minutes I pondered about it. And I came up with an answer in my mind, we should give ourselves for the mission of Don Bosco by either becoming a Salesian (priest, brother) or a Salesian educator," testified Elijah Timbalu, one of the students of the last years of the course.
The program of the Regional Councilor's visit in the PGS Vice-Province continued in these days with meetings with the Salesian community, staff and volunteers and youth of the work. Tomorrow, Saturday, March 26 he will preach the monthly recollection for the communities of Port Moresby. Then, he will also have the opportunity to visit the Mary Help of Christians Parish in Sabama, meet with Salesian Cooperators and Mary Help of Christians Association groups, and greet the children and youth of the Sunday oratory in Gabutu.
