The Lord has blessed us with three brothers who made their Perpetual Vows as Capuchins in the Custody of St. Michael the Archangel on Tuesday, January 25. Our brothers Clement Tarmat, Joseph Umba and Lucas Tamshong professed their vows in Mendi, PNG. Provincial Tom Betz, OFM Cap., was there to witness their commitments.
Jospeh signs his documents wearing his native headdress.
Custody Minister Modest Sangia, OFM Cap., attests to their vows at the altar.
Clement, Lucas and Joseph after the celebration.
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On December 26th, our brother Paul Patlo, OFM Cap., passed to eternal life. Professed in 1993 and ordained a priest friar on February 1, 2009, by Archbishop Steve Reichert when he served as Bishop of Mendi, Paul died in Port Moresby after suffering numerous health setbacks. He was 52. His body was flown to Mendi on Wednesday, December 29th and the funeral Mass and burial was held on Friday, December 31st at Mendi's Cathedral. Noting the loss of Luis Francisco González Rivera from the Custody of Puerto Rico in December 2020, those 12 months have witnessed the very first native losses of friars who were invested, formed, lived, served and died in their respective custodies. They will be remembered.
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On Thursday, January 27th, a Mass for our deceased confreres was celebrated followed by a cemetery blessing and the blessing of the cornerstone of the new friary currently under construction. Our brother, Mendi Bishop Don Lippert, OFM Cap., blessed the cemetery . . .
. . . and our Provincial Minister, Tom Betz, OFM Cap., did the honors for the cornerstone.
February 4th marked the 10th Anniversary of Don's episcopal ordination and installation as Bishop of Mendi. A Facebook fan wrote:
Ad multos annos, Don!
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The 60th Anniversary of the First Mass in Maia village, Pangia (Southern Highlands) was celebrated with a "colorful yet meaningful celebration" back on August 7th. That first Mass was offered by Gary Stakem in 1962, and relatives of the tribal leaders invited to the Catholic mission in the area were present. At the anniversary Mass, 60 people received the Sacrament of Confirmation and a large metal cross was blessed replacing an old wooden cross erected by Gary who was remembered as having brought peace to many of the enemy tribes of the era.
And, on December 17, a new Church building was blessed in Apenda, an outstation of the Pangia parish. You may remember that earlier that month, Jerry Akus from the village asked for a photo of Gary since he was "the first priest that set foot and established our church." The Tokaut Flashback reported that the church "was mostly funded by a son of a humble Church Committee member: Jerry Akus and family." The principal presider was Bishop Don, and they say that "the active celebration by the Catholic Community of Apenda was superb."
