austraLasia #2769
Fr Nick writes ...
APIA: 15 December 2010 -- It is good to hear from Fr Nick Castelijns again after he shifted from the 'big island' of Savai'i to the 'main island' of Upolu in Samoa. Nick has been a long-time Dutch missionary to the Australia-Pacific Province, 25 or so years of which he has spent in Samoa. It seems especially appropriate to record his meanderings here, because just this week he received news that his 97 year old mother is failing in health, and Nick and his brother (who lives in Australia) have returned home 'to accompany her home'. He would appreciate your prayers.
SINAMOGA PARISH
"As you may know my appointment in Savai’i finished at the end of December 2009, and after my Christmas break at home (Holland) to celebrate the 40th anniversary of my Ordination with my Mum and the family, I returned to Samoa for my new appointment as Parish Priest in the Parish of Sinamoga/Moamoa, where I had served earlier (1991-1994). No churches or residences or parish halls to be built! I am known to most parishioners, even though 15 years have passed. Altar servers have become fathers of families, graceful shapely girls have become graceful plump ladies, parents have become grandparents, and the old people, well they just had become older still. Sadly some of my best friends had passed on to their reward, all of them much younger than me! At the age of 69, going on 70 I enjoy the respect of a “toeaina” (elderly person). That’s a double whammy, priest and elderly!! (That deserves two exclamation marks!!) The parish has two worship centres, some two kilometres apart. One parish, but both centres with a distinct character, based on the village culture. The difference is remarkable!
PREPARATIONS FOR NEW SCHOOL
But “you never stand in the same river twice”, an old Greek Philosopher once said, and how true this is! Things are the same, but not the same! And although if I have settled down well in my present situation, I sometimes hanker for the simple life of the “other island”. I have been back a few times this year, for official and unofficial purposes. The Salesians are developing a new school on the “big island” as Savai'i is affectionately known, and I have taken overseas visitors over to see the place, first a jungle, then a denuded 8 acre plateau of very stubborn lava rock that has taken months (and a lot of money!) to level. We are now looking at the first intake of students in January 2011 with not a building in sight! It will be grassroots learning in the literal sense! A few simple temporary Samoan “fales” (traditional open house) may have to do! There have been so many delays and problems that I am glad I am not there for that project ! The building of the church, residence and parish centre were really nothing compared to this. We have a very capable Samoan priest taking care of the new school. He is well connected in government circles, but “who you know” is not always enough, not even in Samoa! So early this year I had gone full circle, back to where I started in 1987: Alafua, a village some 4 kms out of Apia. I live with the Salesian community (2 Samoans, 1 Tongan and myself) at our Don Bosco Technical Centre. I am assisted in the Parish by a young (by Samoan standards) Samoan priest, who also teaches at the Tech Centre.
GLIMPSES OF THE FUTURE
Besides being the Parish priest I am also the economer of the Salesians here at Alafua and the administrator of the St John Bosco Preschool, with some 30 children Our “head” church at Sinamoga attending. However, next year I will relinquish my position in the parish and be only the Director of the Salesian community, economer, and director of maybe 6 aspiring young men wanting to join us. That will be an entirely different area, in which I have little or no practical experience. Never too old to learn! Until a priest arrives from the Philippines (in March we hope) one of the young Samoan priests from the Fiji formation house will be here to help me.
LONGBOAT RACES
The year has had it ups and downs, it would be boring if it was all the same. One of the highlights surely was the Tech Centre’s participation in the “Fautasi” races. A “fautasi” is a longboat powered by 50 (give and take a few) burly and brawny rowers. Once the traditional way of getting around the many islands, they are now used in races at important events such as American Flag Day (American Samoa), Independence Day and Culture Week (Samoa).
The lead up is frenetic, with a kind of boot camp (but not in the negative sense) which is not only muscle and body building, but more importantly character building and working as a unit. Although we were not as successful as in previous 'Don Bosco – One Beat' years (1 first and 2 seconds) the outcome for our boys has been very positive, all coming out of it with the greater feeling of self respect. And that is the real success of these events!
LIFE IN 'PARADISE'
In September it was one year since Samoa switched the side of the road we drive on. It actually feels as if we have always been driving on the left. There were no great problems. The speed limit is still 40kms on the main roads and 25 in the city, but it is more like 40 in the city and out of town any speed will do. There are few, if any police checks. Laws are easily passed, but just as easily ignored. Last year compulsory schooling (at least primary) was passed into law (again) to stop the increasing number of child vendors roaming the streets. Also, thanks to aid from New Zealand and Australia every child should be able to go to school. Where all the money (4½ million dollars) has gone is not very clear, and the number of kids on the street has not decreased. Although Primary Education is supposed to be free the parents cannot afford to send them to school. Instead they need their children to get some income to feed the family! And of course, uneducated children have no future. We can already see this as gangs are beginning to appear, and criminality is on the rise….
DAYLIGHT SAVING IN PARADISE!
Believe it or not: Samoa has now DAYLIGHT SAVING! Our all-wise Prime Minister, who knows what is good for the people (so does not have to ask them), thought it was a good idea and introduced a 6 months period of daylight saving “to conserve energy”. It is not very popular, but we have learned to live with the inconvenience. Samoan people may complain, but they do as their leaders tell them. What is more pernicious, however, is that a few weeks ago, in spite of a groundswell of disapproval two Casino licences were enacted. This is not going to do Samoa any good, but the PM thinks it is, so we will see what will happen. Like the road switch …. Get used to it and get on with life!
HAPPY CHRISTMAS
Late October the first decorations began to appear and in November Christmas songs (and not the nice ones I particularly like) began to come blaring out of shops. By the time Christmas arrives the spirit has worn out…. However, most Churches have their own, more spiritual, preparation programme in the weeks before Christmas with choir, youth, Sunday school children and other groups actively involved. They really put heart and soul into celebrations and I am looking forward to the “Midnight Mass” which is one of the highlights of the year.
I wish you all a very Happy and warm Christmas, full of love and the delight that comes with it. To you and all your dear ones: all the blessings and wishes for your plans and dreams for the New Year.
(Fr) Nicholas* / Nick* (cross out what you do not find applicable!).
_________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2010 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
Fr Nick writes ...
APIA: 15 December 2010 -- It is good to hear from Fr Nick Castelijns again after he shifted from the 'big island' of Savai'i to the 'main island' of Upolu in Samoa. Nick has been a long-time Dutch missionary to the Australia-Pacific Province, 25 or so years of which he has spent in Samoa. It seems especially appropriate to record his meanderings here, because just this week he received news that his 97 year old mother is failing in health, and Nick and his brother (who lives in Australia) have returned home 'to accompany her home'. He would appreciate your prayers.
SINAMOGA PARISH
"As you may know my appointment in Savai’i finished at the end of December 2009, and after my Christmas break at home (Holland) to celebrate the 40th anniversary of my Ordination with my Mum and the family, I returned to Samoa for my new appointment as Parish Priest in the Parish of Sinamoga/Moamoa, where I had served earlier (1991-1994). No churches or residences or parish halls to be built! I am known to most parishioners, even though 15 years have passed. Altar servers have become fathers of families, graceful shapely girls have become graceful plump ladies, parents have become grandparents, and the old people, well they just had become older still. Sadly some of my best friends had passed on to their reward, all of them much younger than me! At the age of 69, going on 70 I enjoy the respect of a “toeaina” (elderly person). That’s a double whammy, priest and elderly!! (That deserves two exclamation marks!!) The parish has two worship centres, some two kilometres apart. One parish, but both centres with a distinct character, based on the village culture. The difference is remarkable!
PREPARATIONS FOR NEW SCHOOL
But “you never stand in the same river twice”, an old Greek Philosopher once said, and how true this is! Things are the same, but not the same! And although if I have settled down well in my present situation, I sometimes hanker for the simple life of the “other island”. I have been back a few times this year, for official and unofficial purposes. The Salesians are developing a new school on the “big island” as Savai'i is affectionately known, and I have taken overseas visitors over to see the place, first a jungle, then a denuded 8 acre plateau of very stubborn lava rock that has taken months (and a lot of money!) to level. We are now looking at the first intake of students in January 2011 with not a building in sight! It will be grassroots learning in the literal sense! A few simple temporary Samoan “fales” (traditional open house) may have to do! There have been so many delays and problems that I am glad I am not there for that project ! The building of the church, residence and parish centre were really nothing compared to this. We have a very capable Samoan priest taking care of the new school. He is well connected in government circles, but “who you know” is not always enough, not even in Samoa! So early this year I had gone full circle, back to where I started in 1987: Alafua, a village some 4 kms out of Apia. I live with the Salesian community (2 Samoans, 1 Tongan and myself) at our Don Bosco Technical Centre. I am assisted in the Parish by a young (by Samoan standards) Samoan priest, who also teaches at the Tech Centre.
GLIMPSES OF THE FUTURE
Besides being the Parish priest I am also the economer of the Salesians here at Alafua and the administrator of the St John Bosco Preschool, with some 30 children Our “head” church at Sinamoga attending. However, next year I will relinquish my position in the parish and be only the Director of the Salesian community, economer, and director of maybe 6 aspiring young men wanting to join us. That will be an entirely different area, in which I have little or no practical experience. Never too old to learn! Until a priest arrives from the Philippines (in March we hope) one of the young Samoan priests from the Fiji formation house will be here to help me.
LONGBOAT RACES
The year has had it ups and downs, it would be boring if it was all the same. One of the highlights surely was the Tech Centre’s participation in the “Fautasi” races. A “fautasi” is a longboat powered by 50 (give and take a few) burly and brawny rowers. Once the traditional way of getting around the many islands, they are now used in races at important events such as American Flag Day (American Samoa), Independence Day and Culture Week (Samoa).
The lead up is frenetic, with a kind of boot camp (but not in the negative sense) which is not only muscle and body building, but more importantly character building and working as a unit. Although we were not as successful as in previous 'Don Bosco – One Beat' years (1 first and 2 seconds) the outcome for our boys has been very positive, all coming out of it with the greater feeling of self respect. And that is the real success of these events!
LIFE IN 'PARADISE'
In September it was one year since Samoa switched the side of the road we drive on. It actually feels as if we have always been driving on the left. There were no great problems. The speed limit is still 40kms on the main roads and 25 in the city, but it is more like 40 in the city and out of town any speed will do. There are few, if any police checks. Laws are easily passed, but just as easily ignored. Last year compulsory schooling (at least primary) was passed into law (again) to stop the increasing number of child vendors roaming the streets. Also, thanks to aid from New Zealand and Australia every child should be able to go to school. Where all the money (4½ million dollars) has gone is not very clear, and the number of kids on the street has not decreased. Although Primary Education is supposed to be free the parents cannot afford to send them to school. Instead they need their children to get some income to feed the family! And of course, uneducated children have no future. We can already see this as gangs are beginning to appear, and criminality is on the rise….
DAYLIGHT SAVING IN PARADISE!
Believe it or not: Samoa has now DAYLIGHT SAVING! Our all-wise Prime Minister, who knows what is good for the people (so does not have to ask them), thought it was a good idea and introduced a 6 months period of daylight saving “to conserve energy”. It is not very popular, but we have learned to live with the inconvenience. Samoan people may complain, but they do as their leaders tell them. What is more pernicious, however, is that a few weeks ago, in spite of a groundswell of disapproval two Casino licences were enacted. This is not going to do Samoa any good, but the PM thinks it is, so we will see what will happen. Like the road switch …. Get used to it and get on with life!
HAPPY CHRISTMAS
Late October the first decorations began to appear and in November Christmas songs (and not the nice ones I particularly like) began to come blaring out of shops. By the time Christmas arrives the spirit has worn out…. However, most Churches have their own, more spiritual, preparation programme in the weeks before Christmas with choir, youth, Sunday school children and other groups actively involved. They really put heart and soul into celebrations and I am looking forward to the “Midnight Mass” which is one of the highlights of the year.
I wish you all a very Happy and warm Christmas, full of love and the delight that comes with it. To you and all your dear ones: all the blessings and wishes for your plans and dreams for the New Year.
(Fr) Nicholas* / Nick* (cross out what you do not find applicable!).
_________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2010 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
