Rapolo, Rabaul, East New Britain, PNG, 4 January 2021 -- The Sunday of the Holy Family of Nazareth: Jesus Mary and Joseph, was celebrated by parishioners of the Mary Help of Christians in Rapolo on 26 December 2021.
Present to celebrate the occasion were families in the community. The goal was to bring joy and smiles to families in need during this Christmas season and the end of the year celebrations.
The day began with a Eucharistic celebration, celebrated by Fr. Juna, and animated by the young people of the community of Palnukar. In his homily, Fr. Juna reminded the Christian faithful of the importance of the family in the development of a society and also of the Church.
“The family is the basic unit of society, the place where every human being learns to grow; it is also the first place of catechesis for children, the domestic Church where the child begins his Christian initiation,” he said.
The celebrations continued with various games in an atmosphere of brotherhood and joy. At the end of the day more than 100 families received donations of food and toiletry items such as rice, noodles, vegetable oil, soaps, clothes and more.
The recipients of these gifts showed their joy and their gratitude through songs and dances to the benefactors, but also by promising to pray for them so that God would bless them and support them in their various activities.
The celebration is a reminder of the importance of family, but also an invitation and encouragement for Christians to love and pray for all families.
