By Fr Bernie Graham, SDB

Alafua, Samoa, 30 June 2016 -- Seven young men were formally welcomed into the Pre-Novitiate at Don Bosco Community at Alafua, Samoa. A simple ceremony of welcome and blessing was had during the celebration of the Eucharist in which Fr Bernie Graham presided.

Five of the new Pre-Novices are from Samoa and have been aspirants at Alafua – Foua Peato, Christopher Tuala, Silao Moeloa, Sefilino Tiatele and Damian Taofinuu. The other two, Severo Nakaiwalu and Saimoni Koronibuto are from Fiji and had been aspirants at Don Bosco House, Suva. These new Pre-Novices join Duc Nguyen who commenced his Pre-Novitiate at Don Bosco House Melbourne in March, making eight Pre-Novices in the Australia-Pacific Province.

During his reflection on the readings of the day Fr Bernie invited the Pre-Novices to be prophets who speak the word of God as Amos did ‘Go prophesy to my people’ (Amos 10:15), and be men who reveal God to others as Jesus did in the healing of the sick and forgiveness of sins ‘they praised God for giving such power to men’ (Mt 9:8).

Photo: 

• back: Fr Petelo Vito Pau (Rector), Saimoni Koronibuto, Foua Peato, Fr Bernie Graham (Vice Provincial), Silao Moeloa, Christopher Tuala, Fr Paselio Tevaga (Pre-Novice Director)
• front: Severo Nakaiwalu, Sefilino Tiatele, Damian Taofinuu
  

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