austraLasia #2890
Tribute to the Pioneer
PORT MOREBSY: 17 July 2011 -- The country’s tourism advertisement for Papua New Guinea calls it the “land of the unexpected”. On the 17th July 2011, Sunday, the Salesian Family of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands had a full dose of that!
The annual gathering of the Salesian Family is one that everyone eagerly longs for since for most, especially those living in far flung islands or deep in the “bush”, this is the only time the members meet. And this year was no different.
Fr Dominic Kachira and the community of Don Bosco Technical School in Port Moresby warmly welcomed the various groups of the Salesian Family. At the very first event, the unexpected happened! Fr. Rafael Galve, the delegation superior, who was to be feted that day and was scheduled to preside at the opening Eucharist, was suddenly struck down by malaria! Luckily, he was able to persuade Fr Martin Macasaet SDB, who had come from Manila to preach the confrere’s retreats, to stand in his stead. The Mass was festive with the music and choir provided by the Salesian Cooperators and punctuated with three colorful traditional dances by the aspirants of the Savio Haus, the Cooperators and the Salesianity Group from Don Bosco Technological Institute (DBTI). Vocational candidates to the various members of the Salesian Family were involved in keeping with the strenna “Come and See”.
After the liturgical service, everyone trooped across to the school’s gymnasium for fun and games. Mixed in four color camps, the participants competed in staple group games like tug-of-war, musical chairs, “the boat is sinking”, “dressing for market” and the like. Led by the young people from the Salesianity Group, the games had everyone in stitches. It was a wonderful way of bonding and exuding Salesian joy.
The traditional kaikai or common meal was held underneath the mango trees. The potluck lunch was abundant with all the groups pitching in their generous share. There was even a roasted pig (from the Cooperators) and the much desired ice cream (from the Gabutu community) which helped to cool one off in the extraordinary heat.
The highlight of the day was the afternoon presentation which was a surprise tribute to the Salesian pioneer to Papua New Guinea, Fr Valeriano Barbero, SDB, also lovingly called “Fr Val”. Fr Val was the rector of the pioneering group of Salesians who arrived in Araimiri on 14 June 1980. Through the decades he had helped to establish other presences and had twice served as the delegation leader. The Salesian Family took pains to keep the tribute secret and was delighted in successfully pulling off the unexpected for such a worthy Salesian. Fr Edwin Genovia, SDB, who had been with Fr Val, as a young practical trainee in 1986, recalled the early days as “the best of times, the worst of times”. Sr Alice Fulgencio, FMA, led Sr Pam Vecina and Sr Trinh Nguyen, together with the youth of the Salesianity Group in an original song and dance presentation with a PowerPoint presentation of Fr. Val’s early mission apostolate. Sr Florentina Cho, CSJ gave a heartfelt speech recalling the early days of the Caritas Sisters when they arrived in Araimiri in 1986. Sr Florentina, who had been a young sister at that time, narrated numerous stories of Fr Val’s concern for them and capped this with stirring, operatic performance of “O Sole Mio”.
A high point of the program was a medley of songs belted out by Fr Zdzislaw Kruczek, CSMA who included the traditional Polish song “Sto lat” (One hundred years!) in his repertoire!
The Cooperators – both the Port Moresby and Kokopo Chapters, the Association of Mary Help of Christians and the Aspirants also presented their songs and gifts, while the Past Pupils donated the prizes for the games. Fittingly, the final group were the Salesians (SDBs) themselves who made the audience wild with their rendition of “Eres Tu” (with a Spanish solo by Fr. Heraldo Bosquez, SDB) and the 70’s Carpenters’ hit “Top of the World”.
Finally, they brought the house down with an animated performance of the Los del Rio dance classic, “Macarena” — complete with all the gyrations. Tears welled in Fr Val’s eyes as the afternoon ended with a second (and more comprehensive) ten minute PowerPoint presentation of his mission life through the decades. Fr Val thanked everyone for this truly unexpected tribute remarking that the afternoon would be a “picture which would remain in his heart”.
The day concluded with a grand group picture taking. Kudos to Sr Alice Fulgencio, FMA and the other members of the organizing committee for pulling off the unexpected and making it truly memorable!
_________________
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 . RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2011 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
Tribute to the Pioneer
PORT MOREBSY: 17 July 2011 -- The country’s tourism advertisement for Papua New Guinea calls it the “land of the unexpected”. On the 17th July 2011, Sunday, the Salesian Family of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands had a full dose of that!
The annual gathering of the Salesian Family is one that everyone eagerly longs for since for most, especially those living in far flung islands or deep in the “bush”, this is the only time the members meet. And this year was no different.
Fr Dominic Kachira and the community of Don Bosco Technical School in Port Moresby warmly welcomed the various groups of the Salesian Family. At the very first event, the unexpected happened! Fr. Rafael Galve, the delegation superior, who was to be feted that day and was scheduled to preside at the opening Eucharist, was suddenly struck down by malaria! Luckily, he was able to persuade Fr Martin Macasaet SDB, who had come from Manila to preach the confrere’s retreats, to stand in his stead. The Mass was festive with the music and choir provided by the Salesian Cooperators and punctuated with three colorful traditional dances by the aspirants of the Savio Haus, the Cooperators and the Salesianity Group from Don Bosco Technological Institute (DBTI). Vocational candidates to the various members of the Salesian Family were involved in keeping with the strenna “Come and See”.
After the liturgical service, everyone trooped across to the school’s gymnasium for fun and games. Mixed in four color camps, the participants competed in staple group games like tug-of-war, musical chairs, “the boat is sinking”, “dressing for market” and the like. Led by the young people from the Salesianity Group, the games had everyone in stitches. It was a wonderful way of bonding and exuding Salesian joy.
The traditional kaikai or common meal was held underneath the mango trees. The potluck lunch was abundant with all the groups pitching in their generous share. There was even a roasted pig (from the Cooperators) and the much desired ice cream (from the Gabutu community) which helped to cool one off in the extraordinary heat.
The highlight of the day was the afternoon presentation which was a surprise tribute to the Salesian pioneer to Papua New Guinea, Fr Valeriano Barbero, SDB, also lovingly called “Fr Val”. Fr Val was the rector of the pioneering group of Salesians who arrived in Araimiri on 14 June 1980. Through the decades he had helped to establish other presences and had twice served as the delegation leader. The Salesian Family took pains to keep the tribute secret and was delighted in successfully pulling off the unexpected for such a worthy Salesian. Fr Edwin Genovia, SDB, who had been with Fr Val, as a young practical trainee in 1986, recalled the early days as “the best of times, the worst of times”. Sr Alice Fulgencio, FMA, led Sr Pam Vecina and Sr Trinh Nguyen, together with the youth of the Salesianity Group in an original song and dance presentation with a PowerPoint presentation of Fr. Val’s early mission apostolate. Sr Florentina Cho, CSJ gave a heartfelt speech recalling the early days of the Caritas Sisters when they arrived in Araimiri in 1986. Sr Florentina, who had been a young sister at that time, narrated numerous stories of Fr Val’s concern for them and capped this with stirring, operatic performance of “O Sole Mio”.
A high point of the program was a medley of songs belted out by Fr Zdzislaw Kruczek, CSMA who included the traditional Polish song “Sto lat” (One hundred years!) in his repertoire!
The Cooperators – both the Port Moresby and Kokopo Chapters, the Association of Mary Help of Christians and the Aspirants also presented their songs and gifts, while the Past Pupils donated the prizes for the games. Fittingly, the final group were the Salesians (SDBs) themselves who made the audience wild with their rendition of “Eres Tu” (with a Spanish solo by Fr. Heraldo Bosquez, SDB) and the 70’s Carpenters’ hit “Top of the World”.
Finally, they brought the house down with an animated performance of the Los del Rio dance classic, “Macarena” — complete with all the gyrations. Tears welled in Fr Val’s eyes as the afternoon ended with a second (and more comprehensive) ten minute PowerPoint presentation of his mission life through the decades. Fr Val thanked everyone for this truly unexpected tribute remarking that the afternoon would be a “picture which would remain in his heart”.
The day concluded with a grand group picture taking. Kudos to Sr Alice Fulgencio, FMA and the other members of the organizing committee for pulling off the unexpected and making it truly memorable!
_________________
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 . RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2011 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
