25 años de presencia en Papúa Nueva Guinea

PowerPoint- Celebrations

PowerPoint- Celebraciones

PowerPoint- Presence in PNG

PowerPoint- Presencia en PNG

Un mensaje a los 25 años de presencia en PNG

Twenty five years have passed since the Servants of St. Joseph touched ground in Papua New Guinea on June 27, 1987. It was through the invitation of the late Archbishop Peter Kurongku that the Charism of the Congregation was introduced to the PNG cultures at Loreto Hostel and Family Services and found expressions in mobile skills training in settlements, literacy program in the dump area, individual and family counselling and even in the catechetical field.  Responding to the urgent needs of the Archdiocese and of the world of work impelled the sisters to be creative, resourceful and empowering.

Retracing our footprints after the first foundation here at Loreto Hostel, the SSJ extended her presence to St. Stephen’s Parish in Cape Rodney and St. Xavier Sub-Parish in Kupiano from 1992-1996.

Nazareth Spirituality sprung forth from the hearts of a group of young ladies who expressed their desire to live it and it was in 1993 that the first Lay Josephines gathered with the SSJ accompaniment.

SSJ presence in PNG is not in the multiplication in the number of her religious in the country but more on her impact on the lives of people who experience the spirit of Nazareth in the various ministries the sisters are engaged in and through the Lay Josephines.

The dream of the late Archbishop Kurongku was to create a good team work and collaboration among all the religious congregations ministering our people living in the settlements. It was in 1999 that the Archdiocesan Settlements Apostolate was established spearheaded by the SSJ.

A year later, the SSJ found another abode through the intercession of St. Joseph in Korobosea in 2000. It is here that the Talleres de Nazaret Skills Training Center began in 2001 and continues to flourish with the positive response of many women and men from walks of life and certain institutions that have become our valuable partners in the fulfillment of our Mission.

We were brought across to Milne Bay upon the invitation of Archbishop Francesco Panfilo. In 2006, the first group of sisters commenced the SSJ presence in the Diocese of Alotau-Sideia in the Family Life Apostolate, Youth Ministry and Skills Training. They travel by land, sea and air to reach out, with the Nazareth mark, to the people in the many islands of Milne Bay.

The invitation of Archbishop John Ribat for the SSJ to administer again Loreto Hostel and ASAC Skills Training Center came in when we were preparing for the Canonization of St. Bonifacia, our Foundress and for this occasion. We regard our return to Loreto Hostel late last year, after seven years since the sisters moved to other apostolic tasks, as gift and blessing of God to us in the evangelization and development of young women, men and women workers.

We are deeply grateful for God’s passage in the life of our Congregation, particularly in our PNG Cluster and we bring with us all who have journeyed with us all throughout these grace-filled years in our joys, and sorrows; lights and shadows; strengths, weaknesses and failures. All these became steppingstones to fulfil God’s plan and will for us as we have been led graciously to this silver jubilee celebration of the SSJ presence in PNG.

One with us are our sisters in the Philippines, Vietnam and those in other countries as we also commemorate today the Pontifical Approbation of our Congregation by Pope Leo XIII on the 1^st of July 1901 and the closure of our Thanksgiving Celebration of the Canonization of St. Bonifacia, our Mother and Foundress on the 23^rd of October 2011.

It is in this spirit of joyful rejoicing to God, who has bestowed upon us grace upon grace, that we welcome each of you here present to join us in this celebration of thanksgiving.