Subject: 'austraLasia' #263
Catholic Communications Solomons
Ambrose Pereira sdb
... 24th November, 1999
CATHOLIC YOUTH GROUP VISITS ROVE PRISON
23rd November, 99; ROVE – The Holy Cross Youth Group visited the Rove Prison
on Saturday last week to share their time and talent with the young
prisoners.
The reason for this visit was that they felt there is need to reach out to
their fellow youths that have been victims of the many problems and
pressures in today’s society. The visit to the prison was the outcome of the
meeting held at Holy Cross recently. In the Rove Prison, the youths had
first-hand experience of the pains these problems can inflict to their
victims.
The youths presented an inspiring skit in mime, song and dance portraying
their pressures and struggles. In their skit, Evil was defeated by Good
after a long struggle.
By their joyful presence and sincere respect for their fellow youths behind
bars, the young men and young ladies were able to capture their attention,
their active participation in games, songs and dances and most of all their
hearts. The parting songs and handshakes after two and half-hours of
youthful interaction saw many eyes in tears. The Catholic Youth will return
again to the prison in future.
Organisers of the trip have announced that they would establish a project
where the prisoners can participate in. They include training for skills to
make themselves useful. Preparations for this are underway.
Solomon Star - 23rd November, 99
TETERE PARISH COMES OUT FREELY TO CELEBRATE CHURCH DAY
TETERE – 24th November:
For the first time after months of hiding, the people of Tetere Parish came
out freely last week and moved about for their yearly celebration in honour
of the patron of the parish – Christ the King.
More than 2000 people from the neighbouring villages came pounding since the
day before the celebration to help prepare the place for the right mood.
The Bumana and Tenaru seminarians did a good job in helping Brother Tanaka
in setting the place right. Grass cutting, repainting, cleaning was also
done by the preparatory committee. The two parish trucks did hard work or
taking the people from the farthest villages of Komporo, Talaura, Swagi and
Sali. The solemnity of the celebration was made more visible by a lovely
altar backdrop with graphics and the words – Peace, Love, Truth & Justice
and Your Kingdom Come ! The presence of the Anglican community added the
ecumenical touch.
In his homily, the acting parish priest, Fr. Luciano Capelli, Salesians of
Don Bosco, described how each of the four ingredients of the kingdom is
essentially needed. Comparing the ingredients of local soup, the celebrant
elaborated how the absence of one ingredient or the presence of the same but
in the wrong proportion can destroy the taste of the soup and the
effectiveness of working for the kingdom.
"Recently we have searched for justice", he said, "but what about the other
ingredients of the kingdom? What about love, truth, peace". It was a sad
fact that the parish community that used to be greatly made up of Malaitan
brothers and sisters was now exclusively made up of Guadalcanal
parishioners. "This should make us think and pray more", he added.
The songs and dances that followed a well-prepared meal saw the people
happy, being together after such a long time of isolation.
The ceremony ended with all villages interacting and sharing peacefully
their renewed trust in Christ the King!
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