Missionaries celebrate golden jubilee

Faith

THE Catholic congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny (SJC) marked 50 years of mission service in Papua New Guinea with a thanksgiving mass recently.
The group of sisters who started their work in 1971 comprising of members from Australia, India, Philippines and PNG, continue to serve the people of Kamina, Kotidanga and Kaintiba local level government in the remote highlands of Gulf.
The golden jubilee celebration under the theme “Missionary disciples for a new world” was held at the St Joseph’s Parish in Boroko, Port Moresby with cardinal Sir John Ribat as the main celebrant.
Sir John spoke of the Cluny Sisters’ mission as teachers in the field and their commitment to their missionary call despite many challenges in the remote areas of Gulf.
“The areas you are sent to as missionaries are challenging and difficult places,” he said.
“Although the mission was not easy, you continued to live and commit yourself to your missionary work.
“As we celebrate this day, we are here to thank God for his blessings, love and care over the past 50 years.”
He encouraged the sisters to “let the peace of Christ rule in their hearts and that whatever they do, whether in word or deed, they do in the name of the Lord Jesus”.