CBC SOCOM conducts Media Formation for Religious Sisters

Gerehu, Port Moresby: The Catholic Bishops Conference (CBC) Social Communications (SOCOM) Team successfully conducted a three-day Media Formation Workshop for Religious Sisters from the 23rd to the 25th of April, 2025, at St Charles Lwanga Parish, Gerehu Stage 2.

Sisters participating in the session.

The workshop, held under the theme; “Using the Media to Form, to Inform, and to Inspire Pilgrims of Hope,” was led by Sr Daisy Anne Lisania Augustine MSC, the Catholic Bishops Conference of PNGSI Social Communications Commission Secretary. Assisting her were her Assistant Secretary, Ms. Jessica Oata, and her Officer, Mr. Donovan.

It was a good start for the Religious Sisters here in the National Capital District as a total of 14 participants took part in the workshop, including two laypeople as-well. The attendees included Sr Marie Norbert Baibai and Sr Helen Rave from the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart congregation (MSC), Sr Veronica Kaupa, Sr Rose Sohou, Sr Pauline Nuia, and Sr Maria Kawedidi from the Handmaids of the Lord congregation (AD), Sr Therese Konepiri from the Congregation of the Sisters of Nazareth (CSN), Sr Prisca Boiila from the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate - Pime congregation (MSI), and four Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (OLSH) Sisters: Sr Marie Louise Hau, Sr Philomena Kamong, Sr Georgina Vunuvung, and Sr Paula Bunene,. In attendance were also two lay people, Mr Graham Kaiwan and Ms Margaret Lisania.

In her session on Church documents, Sr Daisy emphasized that although Church teachings on media usage have long been established, there has been a lack of awareness and formation around them. She noted that now is the right time for the CBC SOCOM team to provide this formation, enabling the Church and its members to use media to evangelize more effectively in their respective ministries.

Recognizing the realities of today’s digital world, Sr Daisy highlighted the importance of guiding young people, especially those entering religious life, in the proper and ethical use of media. She stressed that formators at all levels should take responsibility in educating and forming young religious in effective media use for communication and evangelization.

Jessica Oata and Donovan Pintol facilitated practical sessions on how to write a news story. They also introduced participants to storytelling through photographs and offered hands-on guidance on camera use and techniques for taking impactful pictures.

Overall, the three-day workshop proved to be fruitful and enriching. Participants left empowered with knowledge and skills to engage more confidently with media in their pastoral and evangelization efforts.