Noa delivering an awareness session to the parishioners of Holy Family Parish, in Labasa. - Photo: Noa Tuivunilagi
Two flight delays meant a late arrival into Labasa on Friday, 26th of September, threatening to make us miss the 5:30 p.m. mass at Holy Family Parish. Fortunately, I was on the same flight as Father Carlo, a Columban Parish priest and our Regional Councillor, who contacted the parish coordinator, Ruta, to delay the service by 30 minutes. He assured me I'd still make it.
This mass was particularly significant as it was the first time newly ordained Father Aisea Muavesi agreed to celebrate the eucharist in Labasa since his ordination. Following the mass, the community shifted its focus to formally welcome newly ordained Father Aisea. This traditional welcome then segued into the launch of my week-long 2025 Season of Creation Awareness as JPIC Coordinator in Labasa. In the presence of Father Carlo, Father Taaremon, and Father Aisea, we initiated a ‘talanoa”. Parishioners gathered around the Tanoa (kava bowl) and my prepared presentation, setting a cultural tone for the awareness campaign.
The session centred on our moral obligation to care for our common home, drawing extensively from the guiding principles of Laudato Si' and our Catholic Social Teachings. Through the session I had reintroduced the SoC 2025 theme, "Peace with Creation," which is a profound call for reconciliation with the environment and with God. Rooted in Isaiah 32:14-18, the theme reminds us that environmental devastation is a direct result of a broken relationship with the Creator. It was emphasized that there is no true peace without peace with creation and encouraged the renewal of this essential relationship through prayer, recycling and by limiting the amount of waste one generates.
The practical consequences of our actions particularly resonated with the parishioners. The discussion on microplastics served as a tangible indicator: a stark reminder that what humanity puts out into the world inevitably returns to us, often through our very food sources. Highlighting one of the coined concepts through Laudato Si; that everything is connected. This initial Talanoa effectively laid the groundwork for the awareness initiatives to follow throughout the week.
I extend my sincere thanks to Father Carlo for his gracious hospitality and quick thinking in calling in to delay Mass — it truly saved the day. Most importantly, heartfelt gratitude to the parishioners of Holy Family Parish for warmly welcoming the JPIC awareness initiative and for their openness to engage in this important conversation.
Noa Tuivunilagi
Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Coordinator (Region of Oceania)
Comments (0)