Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
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Raiatea (Fides) - The first training event for catechists and committed lay people of the Catholic Church in the Leeward Islands, the islands under the wind in the western part of the Society Islands archipelago, is underway in Raiatea and will end today, July 12.
"It is the first time that we are carrying out this type of refresher training directly here on site," said Father Sandro Lafranconi, an Italian missionary working in the archipelago, in a report to Fides. "In fact, of the twenty or so participants, only three or four could have attended the training that the diocese organizes every year in the capital, Papeete."
The theme of the meeting was "Jesus Christ Sacrament and the Sacraments." "A theme that arises from the small reality of the Catholic Church, which lives and works in an environment that is traditionally mostly Protestant," specifies the priest of the Society of African Missions. "And we feel the need to explain the content and values inherent to this theme, which is particularly present in the Catholic Church."
"The first week was moderated by the Archbishop of Papeete, Jean Pierre Cottanceau, and the second by the Dominican Father Éric Macé, known as the presenter of the television program 'Dieu M'est Temoins'. I also took the floor and began to explain the meaning of each moment of the baptismal ritual," reports Father Lafranconi, who is the parish priest of the Church of St. Peter Celestine in Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea and Taha'a.
"The training is aimed at community leaders (katekita) and catechists for children and young people. Those who distribute communion to the sick in the five parish families of the Raromatai and carry out other pastoral tasks were also invited.
"On the day off, we went by dugout canoe to the Taha'a/Poutoru Atoll to pray in front of the image of Our Lady of the Leeward Islands, "Notre Dame of the Raromatai," adds Father Sandro.
"As this experience was made for the first time in the Raromatai, it is difficult to evaluate its success. Certainly, about twenty participants may seem a little few, but this is due to the fact that this course lasts a long time and is therefore particularly demanding. It is noteworthy the attention and commitment that was shown when a certain fatigue set in during the second week. With some adjustments in the schedule, the session proved to be positive and should therefore be continued," concluded the missionary. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 12/7/2024)
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