Healing Hearts and Restoring Dignity: Faith-Based Support for Patients and Inmates in Port Moresby, National Capital District

The Service Chaplaincies Desk, under the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands (CBC PNGSI), coordinated a visit by the St. Joseph’s Sisters to the Children’s Ward at Port Moresby General Hospital on Saturday, 28 March 2026, during the fifth week of the Lenten season. The visit covered Wards 1B, 2C, and the children’s outpatient section.

Mrs. Christine Tsuga from CBCPNGSI and the St. Joseph sisters visits the children's ward at Port Moresby General Hospital

During the visit, prayers were offered for the patients, and time was spent engaging with them and their families. Lunch packs, along with water bottles and Vita Juice, were distributed. These simple gifts reflected the spirit of Lenten almsgiving and brought visible joy and smiles to the children, their guardians, and parents. Heartfelt gratitude is extended to the Religious Sisters and their companions for their generosity and kindness. Such initiatives could also be strengthened through partnerships with other organizations.

Another outreach took place on Easter Sunday, 5 April 2026. After attending Easter Mass and witnessing the baptism of my three grandchildren, I visited Ward Six, the psychiatric ward. There, I shared lunch packs, including juice drinks and bottled water, with the patients. The sharing extended to male staff members and two security guards. This act of kindness was sponsored by Sr. Mary MacCarthy, PBVM, former Chaplaincy Volunteer Coordinator at CBC. The gesture brought joy and comfort, as reflected in the smiles of those present.

This display of unity and gratitude highlighted the Service Chaplaincies’ belief in recognizing everyone who contributes to the well-being of patients.

Prison Outreach Brings Hope and Transformation

On Divine Mercy Sunday, 12 April 2026, the Service Chaplaincy Desk of CBC PNGSI, together with dedicated staff and volunteers, carried out a prison outreach program. The team included two female teachers from St. Peter Primary School Erima, Immaculate Tayul and Matilda Haro, along with her husband.

Mrs. Christine Tsuga and Ms. Helen Oa accepting donations from the headmistress of St. Peter Channel Primary School - The donation was given out to the prisoners at Bomana.

The Holy Mass was celebrated by Fr. Solomon from Holy Spirit Seminary, Bomana. The liturgy was enriched with singing led by CBC Human Resource Manager, Ms. Helen Oa, together with Divine Mercy youth from St. John’s Tokarara Parish. It was a beautiful and spiritually uplifting celebration.

Following the Mass, two inmates shared their personal testimonies, offering powerful witness to faith and transformation. With God’s blessings, traditional mumu food was prepared and served to 114 inmates. Teachers and students from St. Peter Channel School also donated basic necessities, making it a double blessing on this Divine Mercy Sunday.

This outreach stands as a testament to the Church’s mission of bringing hope, love, and spiritual renewal to those facing difficult circumstances.

As Pope Francis has continually encouraged, the faithful are called to reach out to the marginalized. This visit was a living reflection of that call to serve.