Vocation Talks

There is a shortage of religious around the world and it is the same here in Kimbe. There are not enough Priests or religious for the entire parish

The Caritas Sisters want to share their message of a religious vocation with all the young women of the Diocese of Kimbe. They started at the Cathedral and the turnout was big. A video was shown followed by personal testimonies from the Sisters. Did you know that Sister Sara wanted 10 children before becoming a Sister- now she has 213+.

May 19 - A royal wedding was taking place in England and since I didn't have a TV to watch the event, I was trying to find an alternative. I was even thinking of crashing on the Bishop's couch - since he was in America- and watch it there. (Bishop, if you are reading this, it was only a thought), but God is truly awesome and a better offer came along.

Early Sunday morning (5:30 am PNG time) at about the same time as the Royal Wedding of Harry and Meghan, I traveled with the Sisters two hours away to the village of Salango. The countryside of PNG is really beautiful with its palm trees, rivers, lakes and mountains in the background. We passed grass huts, houses on stilts, and small villages of huts similar to what we saw traveling on the water with the Bishop when we first arrived.

We arrived at the church. Prince Harry and Meghan might have gotten married in front of millions, but we were also given a celebrity welcome. Fr Gabriel met us and we were escorted to our seats. Fr Gabriel was very passionate in his sermon on this Pentecostal Sunday- something we don't see in Kimbe where he is very soft spoken. We were all a little surprised to hear his passionate homily. It was wonderful.  I didn't know every word he said - 90% was in Pidgin, but I heard his message perfectly. Strange how that is...

After mass, the Sisters invited all the young ladies starting in the 9th grade up to the age of 30 to hear their vocation speech.

In the meantime, I was surrounded by children who smiled, their eyes wide and friendly. Some wanted to touch me, my hair and some even wanted to hug me. Sister Lamaro was just as popular with her camera and friendly personality. She took pictures and they loved it. I felt a little like a celebrity in that village of PNG. 

What made this trip so special is that it is the home village of our own Brother Boniface. His Aunties and nephew and nieces wanted their pictures taken and I showed them to him on Tuesday morning. I guess there are nine villages with the church in the middle. I didn't visit his actual village, but only the church. I guess I need to take another trip soon with him and my fellow missionaries.

We made it back to Kimbe despite a tire that was threatening to blow at any minute. Traveling with the Sisters was a nice experience- all to do the Lords' work. We had egg and cheese sandwiches in the morning and Korean noodles soup for lunch. They sang their morning prayers comfortably in Korean - I didn't mind - I prayed along with them. They slept on the way home.  

The next Sunday, we traveled beyond Salango to the town of Biala. The priest didn't know we were coming, but welcomed us. There were only a handful of people when we arrived, but was again packed when mass began. They danced up the aisle with the Holy Bible before the gospel was read and again for the offertory. Beautiful! 

Biala is located near the ocean. After the vocational talk, we went to the international school and picked up some of our traveling companions at their staff house. It was a house I had in mind before I arrived in Kimbe. Beautiful vegetation surrounded each house with a porch and pathways leading to the school and a nice view of the ocean. Sister Sara said that sometime in the future the housing at Caritas will be similar. (Sigh - someday) We ended our day with lunch at a Korean friend’s who happens to own a grocery store in that town.

The only downside to the trip was the transportation. The school bus was not working right so the Sisters asked a District School Official to take us. He rented a land cruiser and took his family who sat up front. The car was big enough but the seats in back were so uncomfortable and the roads were full of potholes. So we were jostled around and arrived home aching and exhausted. But, the journey was successful and the company delightful. I'm now ready for my next adventure. God, we pray for more young people to join the religious community in PNG.

A vocation Saturday was held on June 8 at Caritas Technical Secondary School for all interested girls from Kimbe, Solanga and Biala and about 60 girls attended. Ten came from Biala and stayed overnight. Hopefully a few may pursue a vocation with the Sisters.

Today, June 23, the Provincial Mother of the Caritas Convent is coming from Korea to visit the Sisters in Kimbe. There are three lovely PNG candidates who are interested in becoming a Sister and the Provincial Mother will help decide their future. Their names are Ester, Ada and Rose - please keep them in your prayers as they continue to discern their futures.

Thank you again for your support and prayers for my mission. God is helping me enjoy my mission here and I am lucky and blessed to be surrounded by supportive people here in Kimbe, from my church, and around the world. I pray for you daily.

God bless till my next message. Bye.