By Ms. Bellie Gutierrez
Salesian Cooperator
Kokopo Unit (PNG)

       Kokopo, PNG, 4 November 2021 -- The Archdiocese of Rabaul (PNG) runs St. Mary's Hospital. Recently a new wing was added which houses 8 Private Rooms with a small prayer room.

       Upon the recommendation of Archbishop Francesco Panfilo SDB, emeritus Archbishop of Rabaul, Fr. Paul Kote, parish priest, requested the Salesian Cooperators to help in refurbishing the simple prayer room for hospital patients. Fr. Paul Kote had personally asked the Salesian Cooperators' help when he celebrated mass at Don Bosco Technical Secondary School, Kokopo during the youth camp some months ago.

       Without delay the Cooperators immediately went with Fr. Paul to the hospital wing which was still being constructed. Through the collective effort of the Salesian Cooperators, tiles were placed on the floor of the prayer room, then painted and refurbished with statues of Mary Help of Christians and the Sacred Heart, book shelf, chairs, laminated prayers for the sick, rosary guides and others.

       By anyone's standard, this is indeed a very simple prayer room but built with great love so that patients who come to this hospital may have a place to pray. This is just one of the many projects that the Salesian Cooperator's Unit of Kokopo undertake to help build up the local Church. They also conduct cooking classes for mothers and catechesis to children in the different parishes of the Archdiocese of Rabaul.

---

---