Papua New Guinea

Simple Joys in Mission

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By Savio Angelo Sanchez SDB

I received the missionary cross on 27 April 2004 from our Regional Superior. Our Provincial Superior assigned me to Araimiri, in the Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea. I noticed the different reactions of people to this news. Many wished me luck. Some were surprised. Others promised that they would pray for me. Others again warned about malaria and ‘cannibals’! Some were afraid I wouldn’t last because of the tough life and also because of my physical health. But I still obeyed my superior. Besides, I had volunteered to go to the missions. So, armed with the prayers, support and encouragement of my confreres, friends and loved ones, I headed for PNG.

MISADVENTURE IN PNG

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By Sister Nellie L. Margate, OND

I still smile when I remember the reaction of the policemen seeing the contents of my bilum, a traditional PNG string bag, when I emptied it on top of the table in front of them all. It was a sunny Sunday morning. I and one of our sisters attended Mass at the University of Papua New Guinea. We were both in our best Sunday habit and after Mass decided to go to the parking lot between the PNG parliament and PNG Museum for my companion to hone her reversing and parallel parking skills before she’d start driving on the main roads.

‘PNG BAPTISM’

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By Father Francis Vega

Twenty-eight years ago Father Francis Vega arrived in Papua New Guinea with Father Nestor Ubalde. They were the first Filipino SVD priests to be assigned there. Father Francis now works in Hilongos, Leyte. Here he shares with us his experiences during his first year in PNG.

I arrived in PNG with Father Nes on 6 September 1977.

Life on the Mountaintop

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By Sister Maria Luisa Tomaro OND

Moving from a small island to a mountainous area is not without its difficulties, as Sister Maria Luisa knows only too well.

In PNG, we travel by dinghy

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By Sister Maria Divina MC

…Be with us Mary along the way guide every step we take, lead us to Jesus, your loving Son. Come with us Mary, come…

Sister Walfridis Diamond Jubilee

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St Mary’s Convent

PO Box 882

Goroka, EHP

Papua New Guinea

 

My dear Friends,

My Special Journey

 

By Father Ver Aro MSP

My appointment to the Western Province of Papua New Guinea was the start of my journey ad gentes – ‘to the nations.’  It was a kind of pilgrimage that led me to embrace the value of a very special vocation, to proclaim the Good News to a people and culture where Jesus’ words are unknown by most and when heard are often considered absurd.

My tiredness faded away

By Fr Elie Sangco MSP

The Missionary Society of the Philippines (MSP) was founded by the Philippine Bishops in response to the Pope’s appeal to send more missionaries abroad. Fr Elie Sangco is one of those who answered the Pope’s call and right after his ordination in 1999, he was sent to the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea, whose economy is reliant on mineral, forestry and agricultural exports, is at the moment facing some political unrest and missionaries like Fr Elie are just what the people need to keep their faith and courage going.

Nipike is a mountaintop village, composed of ten families, under the Diocese of Vanimo. I crossed rivers and hiked mountains to get there. It was a tough journey but when I reached the place and saw the lovely smiles on the faces of the people, my tiredness faded away.

Grand welcome

Fresh flowers lined both sides of the road going up to the village. They welcomed me with dances and songs while I was approaching the chapel. It was like the scene of Jesus’ triumphant entry to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

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