About 90 youths from the three Catholic parishes from the Diocese of Gizo have benefited from the Youth Encounters (YE) Seminar; which was facilitated by a Diocesan youth coordinator Mr. Kolody, and the assistant parish priest from Gizo parish Fr. Dominic Soloko.

Sr. Matrina Qilaziutu OP Celebrates Golden Jubilee.

Sr. Matrina Qilaziutu was so happy to celebrate her Golden Jubilee with her Dominican family and the communities in St. Peter Cathedral, Gizo, on 26 April. 

Preside over her Jubilee Mass, Fr. Henry Paroi thanked God for the Blessing through Sr. Matrina for her journey as a Dominican sister. He also challenged other Dominicans to follow Sr. Matrina’s steps.

Sr. Matrina Qilaziutu comes from Tabarato Village in Choiseul, and she was accompanied by the late Sr. Joana Tebitara of Wagina Parish. On April 25, 1975, they made their first profession and took their vows from M.M. Josephine Campton OP, Prioress, in the presence of Bishop Eusebius Crawford.

She spent seven years in primary school before assisting Sr. M. Christopher at Moli Primary School from 1966 to 1968.

She completed her grade 4 teaching training at Honiara's Nazareth Apostolic Center before spending two years teaching at elementary schools run by the Diocese of Gizo.

 She then underwent the formation for three years before joining the Dominican family on April 25, 1975. She taught in Gizo Primary School after completing part-time training at Teaching College. She taught at Titiana, Nila, Pirakamae, Moli, and St. Anna's Vocational Training School for Girls.

Then, in 1993, she was named Vicarress Leader of the Dominican Sisters and was re-elected for four more years.

She studied theology at Nungulina College in Darwin from 2001 to 2002. And returned to Solomon to work as a formator for novices from 2006 to 20011. 

To shape and mold her as a Dominican Sister, she had her renewal in Australia while performing pastoral duties in the Diocese of Gizo and for the Sirovanga Catholic Women's Group.

She once served as a Vicariate Bursa for the Dominican Sisters of Gizo and the congregation.

Sr. Matrina is celebrating her Jubilee at Gizo, where she began her professional career 50 years ago.

A Youth Encounters Seminar that was facilitated by the Youth team from the Diocese of Gizo has commenced on the 25th and ended successfully on 27 June 2021 this weekend at St. Eusebius parish Noro.

     

A formation seminar is purposely to equip the 19 participants to become trainers, which they may organize themselves and they can facilitate the program to their parishes.

The Mercy Fever In Gizo Diocese

The ‘MERCY FEVER’ which converts and globalises the hearts proposed to us by Pope Francis to commit us to forgive others and challenge us to service and solidarity with all has reached the highest point in the thermometer here in Gizo at the centre south Pacific region

The isolation of the parishes from the Gizo Diocesan Centre makes it impossible for the people of the far away villages to reach the cathedral and the Holy Door of the Jubilee year

The pastoral team however did not give up the great opportunity offered to the faithful and proposed an easy and meaningful initiative “If the isolated faithful cannot go to the holy door at the cathedral, the holy door will go around the parishes and the villages to reach the isolated people”

The tour of the 14 villages ended today after two intensive months with the diocesan boat and 60 horse outboard motor which braved the sea which has not always peaceful and cooperative

The welcome ceremony at sea has been very well prepared

• The Holy door was preceded by the Cross and sided by the two banners of the Jubilee year logo

• The village warriors gave the Cross and the door a real custom and hero welcome

• There followed a liturgical celebration on meditation on God’s words, celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation and Eucharist

• The symbolic passing through the reconciliation door implied the acceptance of the gift of compassion received and the commitment to reconcile with one’s neighbours, and peace making among hostile groups. True peace we all believe passes through forgiveness freely received and given

• The people have been prepared by the pastoral team on a previous visit and responded with unexpected enthusiasm

The Gizo priests have shared their happiness in seeing the people participate with all good will

In Melanesian social life “reconciliation-compensation” are key words and the ritual is central in the culture of the village social life, Faith provides the experience first in oneself and the sharing of that experience to others as a commitment to the Gift received

Never have the priests worked so hard as these two months as ministers of reconciliation

How beautiful it is when we can experience reconciliation within ourselves and we share this gift to others… How beautiful it is when we can forgive each other and start again

Mistakes and conflicts can become moments encounter and of growth if faced with an open heart, motivated by faith and generosity

Luciano Capelli, sdb

Bishop of Gizo