The SoTS Provincial Council, comprising Provincial, Br Peter Carroll, FMS, Br Darren, Br Graham, Br Greg, Br Peter Horide, Br John, Br Sefo, and Province Secretary, Br Kevin, met in Samoa last week. It was an enriching and informational gathering aimed at understanding the hopes and challenges faced by the Marist Communities across the Province. The Council's visit coincides with some other local events: the tail end of the Old Pupils' Association Centenary, Br Lulio's 80th Birthday and the ordination of the new Archbishop.
Br Peter Carroll writes about the highlights of the Council's visit to this picturesque island country.
The SoTS Provincial Council.
The Council’s visit coincides with some other local events: the tail end of the Old Pupils’ Association Centenary, Br Lulio’s 80th Birthday and the ordination of the new Archbishop. Our schedule has been active and full!
Br Greg and Br Kevin with Leituala Joseph Chan Ting, the Vice President of MBOPA and Secretary of the Marist Brothers Property and Finance Committee.
The Marist Brothers Old Pupils’ Association (MBOPA) was started in 1924 and, like most social groups, has been through ups and downs. It’s currently a strong and active association with prominent Samoans among their leaders. The President, Aumua Ming Leng Wai, is a former Attorney General of Samoa. The centenary celebrations were well attended and supported, with former students travelling from New Zealand, Australia and elsewhere to join the festivities. The various events and activities raised over 600,000 Samoan Tala (Samoan currency).
Brothers Siaosi Loane and Darren Burge.
This has been committed to assisting our two schools, Marist Brothers Primary at Mulivai and St Joseph’s College at Alafua. I was pleased to have had the opportunity last night to express our gratitude to the Old Pupils for their very generous and practical support.
Aumua Ming Leng Wai, (President of MBOPA) and Leituala Joseph Chan Ting (Vice
President and Secretary of the Property & Finance Committee).
Last Sunday the Council gathered at Alafua with the local Brothers and members of Lulio’s family to celebrate his 80th birthday. It was marvellous to again see him in good health, having recovered from the illness that laid him so low for an extended period. Compared to how he was in January, he was sparkling!
MBOPA meets the Provincial Council during Br Lulio’s 80th Birthday celebration.
It was a delightful afternoon. The Old Pupils couldn’t let the occasion slip by, so they organised their own celebration of Br Lulio’s Birthday for Wednesday night. His contemporaries and former students gave glowing testimonies and even the long-serving former Samoan Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, was prompted to speak, focusing on Lulio’s faithful witness as a Marist Brother.
80th birthday celebrations of Br Lulio.
Happy birthday, dear Br Lulio!
The new Archbishop of Samoa-Apia was ordained and installed in in a culturally rich and liturgically meaningful Mass today. As you can imagine the music and singing was magical.
New Archbishop Mosese being received by the Archdiocese.
Mosese Vitolio Tui is a Salesian who was ordained in 1994. He is a contemporary of Archbishop Peter Loy Chong (Suva) and Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi (Tonga), all being born in 1961. He was the first Samoan-born Salesian and spent most of his ministry in Samoa as Parish Priest and Principal. From 2018 until the announcement of his appointment as Archbishop, he was working in Auckland as Parish Priest of Massey – Ranui. It was
fortunate that we could be present for this most significant occasion for the people and Church of Samoa.
Thank you, Br Sefo Une and Happy Silver Jubilee!
Brothers Darren, Greg and Peter with Samoan Champagnat Lay Marist Otilia Ulugia Kelekolio.
Members of the Provincial Council with the two teachers and boys of the Year 1 class at Marist Brothers Primary School Mulivai. The smiles on the boys faces says it all!
Some members of the Council with Brothers Peter and Afaese, and some students.
Br Peter speaks to the St Joseph’s boys during their after lunch school rosary.
Br Peter Carroll speaks to the Staff and Teachers of St Joseph’s College, Alafua in response to the words of welcome from Br Afaese, the principal of the College.
We’re very grateful to the Brothers and Marists in Samoa for the warmth of their welcome. We particularly appreciate Sefo’s work in coordinating and organising our visit and program.
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