On Saturday,
November 24, 2018, the ordination from Brothers to Deacons Chris, Boniface
and Joseph took place at around 9 am. Their individual villages constructed a
small hut in the unique style of their home village for each of the three
Deacons to be. They were escorted from that small hut into the church to be
presented to the Bishop. The warriors from their villages accompanied them into
the church. It was just beautiful to watch. The sight, the sounds, the
pageantry the actual Mass and ritual of ordination was very beautiful to
watch.
On Sunday, November 25, 2018, the anticipation was
growing for the Deacons to Priest ordination. The warriors were beating their
drums outside the church while they prepared the three soon to be priests to be
carried into the church and presented to the Bishop. Yesterday, the Deacons
were brought out of their huts, today the Priests will be carried into the
church. (apparently they were brought out of their huts last year).
Out of the two ordinations, both Masses were beautiful to
watch, but it seemed the Deacons ordination was more lavish, almost more formal
(if there is such a thing in PNG), with a well- organized choir, outside
presentation with the huts, village warriors representing each Deacons
community and a large contingency of community support. The hall was very
nicely decorated by their communities (table clothes on the table, nice
napkins, flowers on the tables, more food and a wider variety- PNG style) and
more ceremony presentations (dances) and an abundance of gifts afterwards.
(Couldn’t quite figure out if the gifts were for the Bishop or the Deacons or
both but they were more lavish than the priests’ gifts).
The Priest Ordination Mass on Sunday was beautiful as
well, with the Kimbe warriors and choir. The reception hall was decorated, but
a little more simple than the day before and not as much food and ceremonial
presentations (dances and gift wise) as the day before. What I really liked (it
was my first ordination ever, so not sure if done at other ordinations) were
the blessings the new priests gave for the parishioners immediately following
the Mass. All in all, the two days were very nice and a truly blessed
experience for me, especially since I knew all three Deacons, who were the
religious education teachers here at Caritas and at least one new priest, Fr
Chris who accompanied Ron and Karen, the Bishop and I to Kahlia the second
weekend after arriving in PNG. Fr Chris will remain in Kahlia for another year
or so to complete a few projects he started, then will be assigned his own
parish.
One interesting story: The Caritas Sisters now have 4
candidates. All were invited to the Mass and reception afterwards. Two candidates
were too intimidated to come to the reception (held only for the religious
priests, Brothers, Deacons, Sisters and Deacon’s immediate family and me, the
missionary). It took a while, but Sr. Florentina noticed their absence
and went out, found them and escorted them into the hall letting them know they
are now part of the religious family. They were a little intimidated to come
in, but were happy to be included. (I know how they felt because I was a little
intimidated too in the beginning, but now know I’m accepted in the religious
community. It feels nice to be included.)
It was with sadness that I learned that Deacon Boniface
's father passed away the following Thursday after his ordination in his
village of Silanga. How sad! I'm so glad he was able to witness his son
becoming a Deacon.
I was in tears when I heard the news. I walked to the
dormitory to share the sad news with the dorm students and housekeeper. We
cried together. I met Sr. Sara while walking and shared with her the sad news
who shared it with her Sisters.
On Friday, I found out that Sr. Bernadette and Sr.
Benedict were going to Silanga and I packed my bag and joined them.
We spent the night in Silanga with one of the school
teachers who teaches in Silanga that I met in Kimbe. Her home is charming- but
no bathroom (an outhouse) and an outdoor kitchen. No electricity - but I had at
least a thin mattress to sleep on. This is considered a bush village. We went
to visit Deacon Boniface and he was surprised to see all three of us. It was
really sad - his father died the day before and was already buried the very
next day (Friday). We were thinking maybe on Saturday, but he was buried on
Friday instead. His mother broke down in front of us - (her grief was fresh and
it always seems to come in waves).
His bush village was very simple too. So quiet and in the
middle of nowhere somewhat in the mountains. Just beautiful! Pigs and dogs and
chickens and roosters (and children) roamed freely throughout the village
We stayed in a blue and white ‘staff house’ which was the
school teachers’ simple house. Inside were two bedrooms, one big room that
passed as a living/dining/praying etc. room. She had three simple plastic
chairs, an altar for prayers, a table and that’s it. Nothing ‘comfortable’ - no
couch, or soft chair, no pillows - her bedroom had a bed, with a very,
too thin of a mattress, (I had to take out a few clothes out of my bag to add a
little cushion around me). She gave me her bed, the other bed was for another Sister
and the third Sister and the school teacher slept on a simple blanket on her
concrete floor. A building outside served as a simple kitchen (no stove, no
oven, no appliances, no counters, no kitchen sink, no stainless steel, ) only
firewood and a few pots, cups, plates, etc. We ate outside on long bamboo
benches and a water tank that caught rain water was the only source of water
and again- no bathroom. Just a very simple house, no luxury at all. But she has
community- the other teachers all shared their resources and companionship. Her
house was typical of what I saw throughout the village.
Then, I felt very grateful when I returned to my ‘simple’
place with a few ‘comfortable’ luxuries. I guess Americans are just used to so
much and we take it for granted that it makes one thankful when I see someone
happy without almost anything. We walked from one village to the next, not many
vehicles. Thinking about the two days, the people really have nothing
‘comfortable ‘ here, transportation, housing, etc. but have loyal families and
company, etc. and yes, a luscious paradise filled with gardens, fruit trees,
palm trees, luscious vegetation to live in. God is so awesome.
On Saturday, exactly one week after Brother Boniface
became Deacon Boniface, we were at his father’s grave. He said that as of the
Saturday after being ordained, he can now perform funerals - he didn’t know his
first funeral would be for his own Dad. That hit me sitting at church on Sunday
morning and I had to fight the tears. Please say a prayer for Deacon Boniface
and his family.
School is out for the students, this week is staff week
and we have all the paperwork that needs to be completed before the end of the
week. I’d rather just teach.
My sister, Debbie, is joining me here in PNG for
Christmas. She will arrive in Port Moresby on Dec 16 where I will meet her. We
will fly to Mt. Hagen on Dec 18 and be in the Highlands till Dec 22 where we
will travel from Lae to Haskins. The Momma’s of the Diocese are planning on
dancing for her arrival and I will hopefully join them. We will spend Christmas
in Kimbe, then after Christmas we plan to go to Rabaul. Debbie will leave PNG
on Jan 4 and I will go to my Missionary Seminar in Goroka from January 7-25.
Then the new term will begin on January 28, 2019. I know the time will go fast.
I look forward to telling you all about it next year.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Please pray for me as I pray for you. Thank you again for your support and
prayers.
God bless
