St Joseph Parish, Mingende hold threefold celebrations

Kundiawa: St Joseph Parish, Mingende was filled with joyful spirits on Sunday August 24, 2025 as parishioners and visitors had a threefold thanksgiving celebration to commemorate the elevation of St Joseph Rural Hospital Mindende to a level 4 District Hospital, diamond jubilee (75 years) of operation of St Joseph Rural Hospital and the blessing of long service honours to the staff of the hospital.

From left to right: Fr Cosmas Kombla SVD, His Lordship Bishop Paul Sundu, Fr Dieu Donne Jean Yves Rafaralahimbola, Fr Anton Kuman and Fr Jean Guy Rakotovaozandriny.

The Thanksgiving had the local ordinary, His Lordship Bishop Paul Sundu, as the main celebrant. Joining him as concelebrants were Fr Cosmas Kombla SVD, Fr Anton Kuman, Fr Dieu Donne Jean Yves Rafaralahimbola, and Fr Jean Guy Rakotovaozandriny.

The faithful sat patiently under the scorching sun as the procession began at St Joseph Mingende Rural Hospital to the Church where the open–air mass was going to be held.

Sr Jositha Savari SMMI, health manageress of the hospital, in her introduction, said the jubilee celebration of history, and it is a testament to faith in action.

Leading the choir was the staff of the hospital and their families, with the assistance of the parish youth.

In an inspiring homily, Bishop Paul Sundu said that this milestone achievement was a family achievement and acknowledged the traditional custodians of the land who welcomed the missionaries and worked hand in hand with them.

“When I say that this is a family achievement, I am including everyone. Our Catholics, non-Catholics, the different tribes and their leaders, especially the landowners, the missionaries who have come and gone, and the health workers, those who have come and gone and those who continue to serve us with dedication despite the many challenges they face. We are one family, and this is our achievement!”

Bishop Paul Sundu shaking hands with members of the congregation.

He also commended the health workers and staff for their perseverance and unwavering service to the Catholic Church Health Services and called on everyone to be part of a caring and respectful family that takes care of the facilities and the health workers.

“Sometimes, some of you health workers face danger along the roads while going out on patrols and routine immunization or when responding to a distressed call. When people are not happy with the Church or the hospital management, they often take it out on you, the innocent, hard-working staff. You could have left, but you chose to stay because you have the heart to serve our people. Therefore, we celebrate you today as we pay tribute to those who set the foundation for this place “.

Reflecting on the Gospel of (Luke 13:22 – 30), Bishop Paul highlighted that there are a few themes that can be found in this particular Gospel and encouraged the congregation to have good values and to keep in mind that we have to be time – cautious of how much time we have here on earth have good values and do good to others so we may enter through the narrow door.

Before the final blessing, Karen Nobe, a health worker, read a tribute poem in honour of PNG’s 50 years of Independence and 75 years of Catholic Church Health Service in the Diocese of Kundiawa.

This was followed by the blessing of 15 long–serving staff of St Joseph Mingende Rural Hospital.

The 15 long serving staff receiving blessings from Bishop Paul Sundu.

The hospital was elevated to a Level 4 District Hospital the following day by the Health Minister, Hon. Elias Kapavore, and is now called St Joseph Mingende District Hospital.