(ANS – Auckland)– Two Salesian priests, Fr Mika and Fr Aleki, minister the Catholic community of Massey, a western suburb of Auckland. Auckland is the largest city of New Zealand which many different nationalities around the world call ‘home’. In St. Paul parish of Massey, there is a large number of migrants who feel very much part of the community and are supported by the Salesians.

The Burmese community is the latest edition added to this vibrant community of Massey. Many Burmese refugees are accepted by the New Zealand government to begin a fresh start. The Catholic Church also supports in the resettlement of the migrants in the country.

The Burmese community in Massey parish is well looked after by the parish priest and his assistant. The parish priest, Fr Mika, has invited Fr Will Matthews SDB from Melbourne to visit this devout community regularly to help in their spiritual, social and educational needs. They were blessed to have been visited by Fr Will during the September holiday. Regular prayer meetings and catechism sessions were held during his visit. A highlight of the visit was the conferring of the Sacrament of Confirmation on 12 Burmese adults on Sunday 27th September during the Eucharist. Fr Will spent four days in Auckland before continuing his journey to Wellington to perform a similar ministry to the Burmese community who are settled in the Porirua area. He spent four days with the Burmese Catholic community.

The Salesians have been in New Zealand for a few years now. They are working well in poorer areas of Auckland to serve the needs of the faithful especially the young. Two parishes, Massey and Avondale, are entrusted to the care of the Salesians in Auckland.

The visit to New Zealand of the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, which took place last May, showed the care of the Congregation for this pioneering presence and gave a new impetus to the nascent Salesian spirit in the country.

Published 15/10/2015