Salesian Sisters start work in PNG
Alfred Maravilla
PORT MORESBY -- 3rd Feb: When the Salesians arrived in PNG in 1980 they immediately felt the need and appealed for a group of sisters to work with them. The Caritas Sisters of Miyazaki of the Korean Province responded to their appeal and came in 1985.
In 1998 when Mother Antonia Colombo visited the Philippines Fr. Luciano Capelli, then Provincial of northern Philippine Province, queried over the possibility of the FMAs in the Philippines going to PNG in the near future."FMA at PNG, why not?" exclaimed Mo. Colombo.
In 1999 Sr. Celia Tacujan, Provincial and another sister arrived in PNG for a fact finding visit. Last year she came back again accompanied by another sister. They must have been impressed by what they saw because after their last visit Sr. Celia wrote: "Today, if St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello were to look into the far off horizons of Asia from the little window of Valponasca at Mornese, she would certainly pick up her pen and write to her daughters in the Philippines the following reassuring words:"Go to Papua New Guinea where I await you!".
And they came indeed. Last January 30 the first group of 2 Salesian sisters accompanied by their Provincial Economer arrived in Port Moresby to start their first presence in PNG. They were welcomed at the airport by Fr. Francesco Panfilo, Delegate of the Provincial to Papau New Guinea.
The next day, feast of St. John Bosco, they visited Don Bosco Technical School at Gabutu. During the school Eucharist Fr. Alfred Maravilla, Rector, introduced 'our sisters', which was followed by a long and warm round of applause from the 750 students and staff. They were given bilums, traditional bags hand woven by women. "These bilums, made by simple women, remind you that from now you are part of us" explained one of the staff members as the gifts were presented to the sisters.
In the evening a dinner was held at the Salesian Aspiranate with Salesians, guests and staff of Don Bosco Technological Institute. The Archbishop was also present. He welcomed the sisters in the Archdiocese of Port Moresby. This year the sisters will teach in the Institute. In the meantime the Bishop of Bereina is also preparing to welcome them in his diocese next year to run the diocesan High School in Tapini.
Indeed a great future awaits the Salesian sisters in Papua New Guinea!
