Blessing and Dedication of the Catholic Church of St. Francis Xavier in Laura, Majuro

At the crossroad leading to Laura Beach and the Ball Park stands the new and beautiful Catholic Church dedicated to St. Francis Xavier. The Holy Mass, blessing and dedication took place last June 23, 2013 at 3:00 P.M. Very many visitors graced the occasion. Among them were his Excellency President Christopher J. Loeak and First Lady Lieom Anono Loeak; Parliament Speaker Donald Capelle and Mrs. Rosita Capelle; Former President Kessai Note and Mrs. Mary Note; several ministers and senators and their ladies; various organization officers and members; Catholic parish and prayer leaders from Jaluit, Likiep, Arno, Kwajalein, Ailinglaplap (Bouj & Woja), Wotje, Namdrik, Majuro and many more.

The Holy Mass and the church blessing were presided by the Prefect Apostolic Fr. Ray T. Sabio, MSC and concelebrated by the MSC priests: Fr. Tito Maratas, Fr. Ariel Galido, Fr. Yoseph Rettob and Fr. Tetoaiti Tokanikai. Rev. Deacon David Suley assisted the church ceremonies. Deacon David and Mrs. Arceli Suley came from Washinton D.C. They are the resource leaders for the retreat and workshop for the parish and prayer leaders which commenced last June 19 and will end on June 30, 2013 at Ajeltake Catholic Pastoral Center.

It is good to note that this church is dedicated to a great missionary priest of the Society  of Jesus, St. Francis Xavier. As a missionary, he tirelessly proclaimed the faith in India, Indonesia (very probably also in Mindanao) and Japan. He wanted to go to China but sickness prevented him and he died in the island of Sancian near the coast of mainland China. St. Francis Xavier is considered the greatest missionary since the time of the Apostles because of his extensive missionary travels and work. Hopefully, under the patronage of St. Francis Xavier may young men and women respond to the call of the Lord to serve him in priesthood, in brotherhood, sisterhood, deaconate and prayer leadership.
 

The Catholic community of Laura wholeheartedly thanked all those who helped in the construction of the church; and likewise sincerely thank all those who took time to be present in the blessing ceremony and Holy Mass.

Sunday School Teachers and Catechists: Retreat and Workshop: June 5 - 16, 2013

For this year,  Miss Noena Surmieda was the facilitator and directress of the retreat and workshop of the Sunday School Teachers and Catechists in the Prefecture Apostolic of the Marshall Islands. This important activity of the Prefecture Apostolic was held at the Ajeltake Catholic Pastoral Center in Majuro There were 51 parcipants coming from various atolls such as Jaluit, Likiep, Arno, Kwajalein, Ailinglaplap (Woja & Bouj), Wotje and Majuro.

The theme of the Retreat/Workshop is:  The Challenge of the Year of Faith.  It was Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who decreed through the Apostolic Letter: PORTA FIDEI that the Year of Faith will take place from October 11, 2012 ~ Nov. 24, 2013.

Miss Noena Surmieda pointed out that this year of faith is a special time of grace and renewed commitment.  It is also a time to review and reflect on the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church.  And for the Sunday School Teachers and Catechists, it is a time to study once again the Catholic Catechism.  Consequently, this will bring about the deepening and strengthening of the personal faith of the catechists as well as enthusiasm and zeal to proclaim the gospel message of salvation with deep conviction and with much joy.

 

There were a lot of practical pointers as well as interesting  exercises done during the workshops that sharpened the skills of catechists in the actual handling of the Sunday School for young people ranging from grade 1 to grade 12. Role-playing was also incorporated in the workshops. Indeed, the catechists found these exercises very beneficial and confidence-enhancing

The blessing and commissioning of the catechists took place during the 9:30 AM Sunday Mass (June 16, 2013) at the Our Rady of Assumption Cathedral in Majuro, Marshall Isalnds.  Before the final blessing, the Prefect Apostolic Ray T. Sabio, MSC called on Miss Noena Surmieda to give a brief message to the catechists and to the Holy Mass participants.  She expressed her very deep gratitude to having received a very warm welcome from the Catholics of the Marshall Islands.  She encouraged the catechists to be strong and firm in their Catholic Faith and to share this wholeheartedly and generously in the very many years to come.