Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Semper Fidelis

More than 10 years ago, when he was a priest in Gizo, Bishop Chris trained 2 young men to drive his aluminum "canoe", the John Paul II with its outboard motor. Today Fidelis (left) and Peter (next to +Chris) are still manning the diocesan boats, including the Camillo, a sturdy wooden ship that can carry up to 25 passengers and a full hold of cargo.

June 21: After Mass and a hearty breakfast, all the priests and retreat personnel boarded a small flotilla of boats for the trip to Vanga Point, the setting for our retreat. Blue skies and smooth seas made the one and one half hour journey a peaceful and pleasant start to this historic retreat. More than one priest commented on how fitting it was for the priests and their bishops to be traveling by boat, given all the Gospel stories where Jesus and his disciples get into a boat and set off for an out-of-the-way place to rest and pray. Travelling by boat also brought to mind the first missionaries who sailed bravely into these waters over a century ago to bring the first seeds of the Catholic faith to these islands. How happy those holy and hardy men and women who left Europe and America for these scattered islands must be in heaven to witness the fruits of those seeds: more than 50 native diocesan priests and dozens of seminarians, along with Brothers and Sisters in many religious orders.




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