Installation of the 3rd Provincial of PGS

By Fr. Ambrose Pereira, SDB

Boroko, Port Moresby, PNG, 30 October 2020 -- The 3rd Provincial of the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands vice-province (PGS), Fr Gregorio Bicomong Junior sdb, was installed on 29 October, feast of Blessed Michael Rua, the successor of St John Bosco, at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Boroko. The Eucharistic celebration was celebrated by Bp (Peter) Pedro Baquero sdb, Bishop of Kerema. Concelebrating with him was Fr Alfred Maravilla sdb, Councillor for the Missions and nine priests including Fr John Curtis CP, Parish Priest of St Joseph’s parish, Boroko.

Speaking at the homily, Fr Alfred spoke of the need of sacrifice and the readiness to find one’s security in God. “Stay with your confreres, take time to understand the Melanesian context and be attentive to listen to the Salesians and lay collaborators. Remain with your confreres in faith, witness to patience and walk in hope as you help your confreres remain faithful to Jesus”, he said.

The new Provincial thanked everyone present and all participating in the Eucharistic celebrations via the online transmission. As he takes up his role as Provincial, he requested prayers that he may become holy and a real shepherd with a pastoral heart. He made mention of the openness and the zeal of Fr Valeriano Barbero sdb and the Salesian pioneers of Papua New Guinea. “Pray that I may be filled with zeal and love of God, as the pioneer missionaries, who knew little of the culture, but were filled with zeal and love of God for the people and this beautiful land of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands”, he said.

“Uprooted unexpectedly and planted in the ‘Land of the Unexpected’ we journey together as Salesians and members of the Salesian Family, in bringing more young people to a deeper relationship with the Lord. This requires your prayers, the security and support of my confreres and the collaboration of our lay-collaborators and lay mission partners”, he continued. He stressed the need to encounter and deal with the new trials and challenges amidst the COVID-19 pandemic to journey together to seek new ways and help young people filled with fear, anxiety and the uncertainty of their lives.

Animating the celebration were the aspirants of the vice-province together with the students of Caritas Secondary Technical School, Boroko. Representatives of the ADMA, Co-operators, Past pupils, other members of the Salesian family and other religious people were present for the celebrations. Present in the congregation was Collete Chow, Lina and Hidajat Hanafi, Ron and Monica Seddon and several benefactors who continue to assist the Salesians in their mission of reaching out to the young. COVID-19 limited the presence of large numbers gathering for the installation.

A delicious meal with songs and items was held at the Emmaus Conference Centre, Boroko.

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