| Papua New Guinea – Prime Minister dined with the Salesians |
| Papua New Guinea – Youthful prayer and generosity |
| Solomon Islands – Media Seminar |
The first took place in the house of the Franciscan Friars in Port Moresby. Taking advantage of the presence of a good number of Salesians who were coming to take part in the later events, for Friday 15 a day was planned for the Salesians of the Delegation to spend time together in friendship and Salesian joy.
The following day Saturday 16, at the “Emmaus” Retreat Centre there was a Media Forum Day led by Fr Ambrose Pereira, Delegate for Communication in the Delegation and President of “SIGNIS-Pacific. Starting with the theme for XLV World Communications Day, “Truth, Proclamation and Authenticity of Life in our Digital Age”, the 50 people taking part examined the positive and negative impacts of the so-called ‘Digital Age’.
After watching several videos about using the new media sensibly, divided into groups they had the opportunity to share their experiences of social networks, and some of them aired the need to be positive in sharing their views and comments on the net rather than being willing victims. In the afternoon session they focused on the traditional media and in particular, on the need in the new digital world for good accurate newspaper articles.
The Forum awakened in participants a desire to understand more about the implications the Digital Age has for our lives. Encouraged by Fr Galve, between 26 and 30 September 2011, Fr Pereira, Fr Edwin Genovia and Mayette Carvajal, will conduct a short course on the subject at Port Moresby.
On Sunday 17, with Salesian Family the three days were brought to an end. The programme began with the welcoming of the groups taking part by the community from the neighbouring Don Bosco School in Port Moresby. Mass was celebrated by Fr Martin Macasaet who had come from Manila, with the choir of the Salesians Cooperators, and at the end of the morning there were some enjoyable group games.
In the afternoon after open air lunch for everyone the whole Salesian Family took part in a surprise party thanking Fr Barbero, the founder of the Delegation in 1980. Fr Genovia, who had done his practical training at the side of Fr Barbero in 1986, recalled some of the times they had spent together, and Sr Alice Fulgencio FMA thanked the Salesian pioneer with songs and a video. The celebrations continued until the evening.
Published 20/07/2011
