Brothers and Fathers

Fr. Tom Cardone and Bishop Chris Cardone, crowned with flowers and beaming to see each other after almost 2 years. It took Bishop Chris and his brother priests 14 hours to travel on the Pelican ship from Honiara to Gizo, longer than it took Fr. Tom and me to fly from Los Angeles to Sydney, Australia-- and their journey had no in-flight entertainment other than passing sea gulls.

June 20: Just before 8:30 pm, the boatload of priests arrived along with scores of other passengers and the countless bags, boxes, parcels, bundles, mats, mattresses and produce that are standard baggage on any Solomon vessel. After sorting the luggage, a band of pan pipers escorted the entourage of bishops, priests, deacons, seminarians and brothers from the wharf to the street that leads to the cathedral. The waiting warriors, flower girls, torch dancers, and just about everyone else in the town erupted into cheers, chants and dance. The enormous warmth of the welcome made up for the fact that darkness masked much of the colorful band of young greeters (of course, the torches helped!) and their brilliant enthusiasm rallied the tired travellers as they were officially welcomed with floral crowns, betel nuts, a round of speeches, and, at last, a desperately needed dinner, a much welcomed shower, and, finally, a long anticipated place to rest.