Parish rebuilds church building

THE Catholic diocese of Mendi celebrated the opening of a new church and a priest house at the Saint Joseph’s parish in Ekari, Upper Mendi, Southern Highlands.
“Each person’s heart is a home and temple to Christ, and much preparation and dedication is needed by everyone in housing Christ in their lives,” Mendi diocese Bishop Donald Lippert said at the opening on Aug 23.
More than 1,000 people from the different parishes and denominations came together to witness and celebrate the blessing and opening of the new church and priest house.
“We need to prepare ourselves to receive the Holy Spirit in our lives and our communities to continue the work of our Lord Jesus Christ, because we are God’s temple and God’s Spirit lives in us,” Lippert said. “Things we own and enjoy on Earth are there for us to use, but we also have to prepare ourselves for life in Christ.”
Parish priest Fr Alberto Dawas thanked Lippert for assisting with funds for the rebuilding of the parish church in the aftermath of the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that destroyed homes and infrastructure on Feb 26 last year.
Dawas extended his gratitude to the local carpenter and constructor Lucas Martin for his generous help and support, and thanked God for receiving such blessings.