Our first evening started off with the Holy celebration of the Eucharist followed by Adoration to set our Spiritual atmosphere and mode before the Saint Vincent De Paul reps gave a session on their core mission.
This brought us to the Bati Ni Tanoa session after the presentation of my Sevusevu and our dialogue focused on issues relating to the Season of Creation looking into the local contexts of Macuata province of which Nabala parish is responsible.
Our workshop was a full parish affair and about 80 people turned up from young children, students, women to parents and elders from the surrounding villages and communities.
Participants sharing how are they connected to Creation/Vanua through their identity.
Our Oceania Theology – What is God trying to tell us as the people of the Sea- Wasawasa or Oceania in relation to what is happening to the whole world??
Climate Change – Sea Level Rise – Climate Migrants – Extractions – Pollution – Deforestation – Over Fishing – Poisoning – Wars - Laws – Justice system e.c.t...
Participants are divided into their tribes or clans so that they can specifically discuss and find out ways of solving the Ecological crisis that their Vanua is now facing.
Everyone must be given the opportunity to share their opinion and be “listened to”.
Shepherd herding the sheep. Parish priest Fr Manasa with his parishners throughout.
Community Resource mapping – Resources owners mapping their Natural blessings
Men’s Ministry – The guardian of Mother Earth.
This sacred duty is requires Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Piety, Courage, and the Fear of the Lord in order for us to able to stand against all forms of violence and abuses that brutalize the earth due to man’s attitude and actions.
The aim of this workshop is to Reinforce, Renew, Revitalize and Ready these men to defend their God given territory with Justice and Peace. A great geographical symbol and land mark is the Great Sea Reef which is the third longest reef in the world which runs alongside Vanua Levu Island and with the length of more than 200km and across many villages and communities that some of these men come from.
Way Forward
The Men’s ministry to champion Environment protection and the Care for our Common Home and initiate Ecological based projects that replenish diminishing plants and trees that is sacred to this Vanua like Dakua-( hardwood) and Kuta ( reed family) for mat weaving. A follow up workshop is scheduled within the next 1-2 months for monitoring and evaluation to gauge the effectiveness of this workshop.
Closing Liturgy of Season of Creation and opening the new beginning of Ecological Conversion.
Vinaka vakalevu – Fr Manasa and Nabala parish. Awesome. Great effort and Spirit.
Vinaka vakalevu to the Mission office for all the support…
T.Naikasowalu – JPIC Fiji.
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