Missionary celebrates 50 years of service in country

Pioneer Salesian missionary Fr Valeriano Barbero celebrated 50 years of service in the country over the weekend.
Apostolic Nuncio to PNG and the Solomon Islands Matthew Vayalunkal, Cardinal Sir John Ribat, Archbishop of Port Moresby Sir Francesco Panfilo and other priests took part in the Eucharist celebration.
Reflecting on the Gospel of Luke, Barbero expressed gratitude to God and his friends for the blessings he received over the past 50 years.
“Thank you Lord for choosing me to become a priest,” he said.
Barbero reminisced the 60 days he was in  hospital in Italy and considered it a blessing of what God had chosen for him.
“The Spirit of the Lord has come upon me and I will continue to be a priest forever,” he said.
“God has called us for special purposes in life.
“I will continue to serve the church and the people of PNG, ‘Dio solo’ only God,” Barbero said, recalling the words of the first provincial superior, Fr Charles Braga.
Feb 25 is a day in which Salesian institutions  in 132 countries commemorate the Feast of St Bishop Aloysius Versiglia and Fr Callistus Carvario.
The Salesian saints were martyred in China as they protected the lives of girls who were with them.