Bishop opens three new facilities in Aupwel, Siassi Island, Diocese on Lae

Lae: The Bishop of Lae Diocese, His Lordship Bishop Rozario Menezes SMM officiated at the opening of a new church, youth office and a mother’s Hall in a rural area of Siassi Islands in a village called Aupwel on May 25th.

His Lordship Bishop Rozario Menezes SMM welcomed His Honorable Governor Luther Wenge into the new church building after the blessing...PC: Fr Brian Nonde

During his Homily, His Lordship Bishop Rozario related to the people of Aupwel and everyone who attended the celebration the message of the Jubilee Year of Hope. Bishop Rozario encouraged people to be hopeful amidst challenges that they face. He said that the blessing of each new day shows us the sign of God’s unending love for us. He told the faithful of St Patrick’s mission that God has seen their hard work for the past four years and they should be happy to have a new church building. He emphasized on respect and law and order. God’s Word teaches, Bishop Rozario said, that the church is the house of God and the people should treat it as a holy place of prayer and worship. He said the Word of God is the Law and people should obey and follow. Bishop Rozario encouraged the people to bring their problems and struggles to the church in prayer. He concluded by encouraging the people to have encounter with Jesus, our lives need to be filled with Jesus’ power and blessings added the Bishop. 

The Parish Priest, Fr Krzysztof Zacharuk CMM acknowledged the presence of the government officials respectively: His Honoroble Luther Wenge Governor of Morobe Province, the Member for Tewai-Siassi, Dr. Kobby Bomareo and other officials who were present on that significant occasion as witnesses of the opening of the three new facilities. 

Fr Krzysztof also gave a brief history of the Catholic Church in the Island of Siassi. He recalled before them how Bishop Collomb brought in the first work mission into the Island of Siassi in 1848 and then how the struggles to complete this work until the arrival of the Mariannhill missionaries who revived the mission in the Island of Siassi in 1965. Aupwel was once called the small Vatican in Siassi Island said Fr. Krzysztof. The new church which has been built here in Aupwel comes after 40 years since the presence of the Missionaries of Mariannhill in Siassi Islands. Fr. Krzysztof did not end his speech without giving special acknowledgment to Mr Thomas Toku who was there during the contruction of the first Church and who at his age was able to guide the young people during the constructing the new church. Fr. Kryzstof hopes as he spoke that the skills obtained be put into practice in the near future.

“I am happy that our hard work has been paid off and I am proud to see the new church is standing here in Aupwel,” says Thomas Toku. 

The Parish Priest, Fr Krzysztof Zacharuk CMM stood with the caretaker Elizabeth, in front of the new church at Aupwel before the opening ceremony... PC: Dylanney Meckle

The celebration began with the procession from the old church to the new church building. Three different singsing group namely; the Lutheran Calvary, Aiyau Siassi group and lastly the St Michael’s Gomlongon singsing group led His Lordship Bishop Rozario and everyone to the new church in a procession. The Bishop prayed and blessed the new church, His Honorable Morobe Governor, Luther Wenge cut the ribbon and then the Parish Priest Fr Kryztof Zacharuk opened the door for all faithful to enter. 

After the Eucharistic celebration, His Lordship Bishop Rozario blessed the new Youth office building and the new Hall for the Mothers at Aupwel. These new facilities were built to serve the growing Catholic community in the area and seeks provide space for various parish activities. The youth building is expected to host various programs and activities for young people in the parish, including catechesis, sports and social events. The mother’s hall on the other hand will serve as a venue for social, physical and spiritual gatherings and events for mothers. 

“I am happy that we have completed the new Youth Building with the little funds. We were not able to get funds from the government but we still managed to complete our new Youth building with the help of our Parish Priest, Fr Krzysztof and we are looking for help to equip our new office to help our young people better their lives”, said the Siassi Youth Coordinator, Norbet Apul.

The new facilities were made possible through the friends of the Parish priest, Fr Krzysztof Zacharuk with the blessing of His Lordship Bishop Rozario Menezes SSM and help from the Mariannhill Missionaries and the faithful of Aupwel themselves. 

The Mariannhill priests Fr Brian Nonde infront with Fr Wilfred Salhun on the right with the Parish Priest, Fr Krzysztof Zacharuk in the middle and the Vicar-General, Fr Roland Matoyi on the left with the young African sisters from the Congregation of the Missionaries sisters of the Precious Blood (CPS) took a group photo at Aupwel during the Celebration...PC: PC: Dylanney Meckle

The new Church which comes 40 years later is the biggest Catholic Church in Siassi and its stands as beacon of hope for Catholics. The celebration was a significant history Church in the Lae Diocese and it involved the Lutheran church and everyone from the Siassi Island and from Lae Diocese. The government officials, Honorable Luther Wenge and Member for Tewai-Siassi, Dr Kobby and other officials were present.