Guest Post by Father Bruno Junalie
Towards the end of July 2008 the Diocese of Kavieng (New Ireland Province - Papua New Guinea) staged a series of events to celebrate some important ocasions. The Youth Cross programe comes in line with the World Youth Day gathering in Sydney Australia during July 2008, where youths from around the world met with the Pope and other world church dignitaries. Thirty nine local New Ireland Province youths along with two Diocesan priests from the Diocese of Kavieng attended the world event.
The youths coming back from Sydney WYF08 arrived back to Kavieng on Friday 25th July to meet an jubilant and enthusiastic crowd at the Kavieng Airport, followed by a welcome Mass and dinner. On Saturday 26th July the youths from the Kavieng Deanery (Church District) enthroned or stationed the Diocesan Youth Cross on the hill adjacent to the Cathedral. This youth cross has been going around the Diocese for two years.
Then on Sunday 27th July, the Catholic Church in New Ireland Province which includes; Manus and the Duke of York Islands, celebrates its 50 year anniversary as a Diocese (Church Province). The whole week-end celebration was in line with all these events.
Dignitaries from the New Ireland Council of Churches, The Provincial Government, and other Christian Denominations and the Catholic faithful came together to celebrate this memorable occasion.
Their was an open air celebration of the Holy Mass presided over by his Lordship Reverend Bishop Ambrose Kiapseni MSC DD along with six priests and a Uniting Church Paster Concelbrating.
Light refreshment and lunch was served for guests and the public followed by speeches with the noted address from Bishop Ambrose and the Honorable Governor of New Ireland Province, Sir Julius Chan OBE CMG.
Singing and dancing came towards the later part of the day, with a display of many different cultural dances from the islands such as New Hanover, Tabar, Lihir and Tanga and some from the New Ireland mainland including Livitua, Lamusmus, Lemakot and Lamasong. Judging front he intensity of the displays of various dynamic and colorful dances, the performers have obviously put s lot of effort into preparation.
The vibrant and joyful atmosphere could be very profoundly felt even by those who came into just to observe. The singing and dancing continued well into the evening where every one was very tired. Eventually some have to travel back long distances by land and sea to their homes.
Father Bruno approached me as I was roaming around taking pictures of the event and asked if I would share them with the Church and local media. Obviously I was more than happy to do this. After about 3 hours in the "digital darkroom" I edited about 275 shots down to about 65 "keepers".
I met with Father Bruno the next day to give him the photo discs and look at them together. Father Bruno fired up the diocese computer, I think I could hear the tubes in the machine warming up, the donated relic from the Melbourne Australia Rotary Club, complete with floppy disc drive (pre cd drive circa). I'm glad I brought my laptop...as the floppy drive was obviously not going to work for the Photo DVD that I had burned with Picasa. Crowded around my laptop in the stifling hot room where several of the youths and the priests that attended the World Youth Program in Sydney. It was very rewarding to view the photos and see their reactions first hand.
After the slide show we talked about their trip to Sydney. Keep in mind that none of these guys have ever been off of the Island they live on, let alone on a long plane flight. It was very moving to see the strong emotions as they attempted to describe something that so awesome for them. To see their eyes well up and and hear their voices shake, as they described being apart of something so large, in an amazing city was very special.
Another one of those experiences that makes me really appreciate life, and the experiences that I am fortunate to have...
Click on the picture to the left of the "Cross Ceremony" to view a slide show of the finale event for this Celebration.
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