By Fr. James Kyaw Hoe

Suva, Fiji, 21 December 2023 -- On Saturday, 9 December 2023, Brother Peter Anh Vu Nguyen was ordained deacon by the Archbishop of Suva (FIJI), Peter Loy Chong. In this prayerful celebration, the Archbishop emphasized the ministry of deacon as a service of proclaiming the Good News and caring for God’s people, especially the young.

Peter is a Salesian missionary from Vietnam. He first arrived in Samoa in 2019, where he did his practical training at Don Bosco Technical Centre (Alafua) and then at Don Bosco College and Vocational Centre in 2020. Peter came to Suva (FIJI) for his theological studies at the Pacific Regional Seminary, which will be completed in 2024.

Peter’s day of ordination was a great day of rejoicing, especially for the young people in the parish with whom he has worked very closely through his pastoral ministry and the Oratory.

Thank you to Deacon Peter Anh Vu Nguyen’s parents and family for the gift of this dedicated missionary with the heart of Don Bosco.

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On Sunday, 10 December 2023, Father Peter Carroll (Provincial Economer) represented Fr. William Matthews (Provincial) and received the Perpetual Profession of Brother Falefa Elia and Brother Lui Sueina. The profession took place at Don Bosco Youth and Education Centre during the Sunday Parish Eucharistic Celebration. In the homily, Fr. Peter spoke about the willing and generous response Falefa and Lui have given to commit themselves in the service of God’s people, especially the young as sons of Don Bosco.

Falefa and Lui come from Samoa. Having completed their philosophical studies at the Pacific Regional Seminary in Suva (FIJI), they returned to Samoa for their Practical Training. When the pandemic restrictions were lifted, Lui and Falefa came to Suva for their theological studies.

The Perpetual Profession is in itself a simple ceremony and there is something about the profession that strikes the heart: for his brother Salesians it was a moment to renew our own commitment as Salesians of Don Bosco, for the many religious who were present, it was a time of joy, for the many people to came and witnessed the diaconate ordination of Peter Anh Vu and the Perpetual Profession of Falefa and Lui, these two events hit the heart with gratitude and raised many questions among the young.

Thank you to Bro. Falefa and Bro. Lui’s parents and family for the gift of their sons who gave of themselves for life to continue spreading the joy of the Gospel in the spirit of Don Bosco.

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