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The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally observed from the 18th to the 25th January – the octave of St. Peter and St. Paul, especially in the Northern Hemisphere. Other places observe it at Pentecost or at a different time. |
Three Churches in Ba – the Catholic, Anglican and Methodist – decided to celebrate it with a joint prayer service and social event for our youth groups, on Sunday 23rd Jan, which Christ the King Parish hosted.
This year’s ritual was prepared by the churches of the Middle East, the history of which was, and still is, characterised by conflict and strife, tainted with blood and darkened by injustice and oppression. These Christians are conscious that the world shares many of the travails and much of the difficulties that it experiences, and yearns for a light to lead the way to the Saviour who is the light that overcomes darkness.
The daily struggle of many Middle Eastern Christian Churches
Their message stresses that churches need to cooperate to provide relief to the afflicted, to welcome the displaced, to relieve the burdened, and to build a just and honest society. It is a call for churches to work together so that young people can build a good future according to God’s heart, a future in which all human beings can experience life, peace, justice, and love.
The boys of the Veilomani Methodist Home, assembled at Christ the King Church, Ba
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Fr Pat presided at the ritual |
Fr Pat presided at the ritual, but the prayers and blessing were offered by Deaconess Kini of the Veilomani Boys’ Orphanage and the sermon given by Fr Kelvin Rakesh of the Holy Spirit Anglican Church of Ba. |
Fr Rakesh delivering the sermon, watched by Deaconess Kini
In the Hall afterwards, the young people each provided a dance or song for entertainment, and seeing the joy on their faces, we decided that we want to do this sort of thing more often, perhaps next being a ‘Festival of Praise’ near the time of Pentecost, which we will take into the Ba Market or a public park, subject to police and COVID clearance nearer the time.
Catholic Youth dancing to the 2018 Synod Song
The Veilomani boys doing a Fijian 'meke'
In the ongoing ‘Synod of Synodality’ prepared by the Vatican, and simplified here in Fiji, the 7th Theme reads: “Synodality means journeying with other Christians, religions and non-believers. Being Catholic (universal) means to be inclusive.
- a. How is the Church relating with the members of other Christian traditions, and other religions?
- b. What can we do to improve our journey together with other Christians, and members of other religions?
I guess our small ritual yesterday, and plans for future events, is our effort to reach out beyond our Catholic “safe zone”, to discover that God is waiting for us with a much bigger vision, and with many more friends for the journey.
Our Catholic men doing what Catholic men love doing - drinking grog and eating pies !!
The Anglican group enjoying afternoon tea
