Saturday, December 13 2008 was a memorable day for the Church, the SVD in PNG, and for the people of Ulingan, the home parish of Gabriel Kokon in the Archdiocese of Madang. It was the day they were all waiting for for many years. 112 years after the arrival of Divine Word Missionaries in PNG, the first Madang SVD was ordained priest by Archbishop William Kurtz, SVD. The church grounds of Ulingan parish were packed and overflowing. From the early morning peole from the whole north coast of Madang were arriving by busses, cars, speedboats, canoes and on foot. Members of the Arnoldus family, diocesan clergy and members of other religious congregations attended the celebration in great numbers. It was a celebration marked by simplicity but the spirit was joyful, prayerful and very moving. One could not miss seeing the proud family of Gabriel sitting in the first row -  moved to tears and proud of their son becoming a priest.

The choir was superb and the entire congregation fully participated during Mass. It was a wonderful feeling to participate in a celebration that was truly local – a Melanesian one. Before joining the SVD, Gabriel worked in various branches of the PNG Banks. He liked his job and was the sole money-earner in his large family, paying for his siblings’ education and supporting his community. It was a great sacrifice for his family to let go of the only income earner they had and let him join a religious order.

After his holidays Gabriel will travel to Togo in Africa to study French before taking up his assignment in Madagascar.

Linh Nguyen SVD, born in Vietnam, was ordained in Preston, Melbourne, Victoria 6th December 2009, by Most Reverend Timothy Costello, SDB.  Beautiful singing by three different choirs was a highlight of the ceremony and gave it a very multicultural atmosphere, so appropriate for a member of a missionary Society. The attendance of many priests, including several Vietnamese,  gave further expression of multiculturalism.

Fr Linh’s father had never been out of his home province in Vietnam until he travelled to Australia for his son’s ordination. He was amazed at the lack of people on the streets of Melbourne and the suburbs. His presence was a great joy to Fr Linh.

The parishioners of Preston worked very hard to make the Ordination and the Thanksgiving Mass on the following day memorable experiences for all who attended.

The Samoan community from the Preston parish and nearby locations sang in full voice during the Liturgy. When it came to the reception they presented two roasted suckling pigs to be added to the food laden tables. The intricate celebration cake provided a contrast and a focus of admiration.

During the early months of 2009 Fr Linh will take up his missionary post in Wainuiomata, New Zealand.

September 13 2008 was a day for celebration for the parishioners of  Our Lady of Fatima, Nadera, Suva, Fiji. Fr Hiagi Motofaga  SVD was ordained  to the Priesthood, the first ordination ever from that parish.  Most Reverend Petero Mataca, Archbishop of Suva, was conferring his 91st ordination.   

Fr Hiagi is from Rotuma Island, a far-flung island of Fiji, but owing to tragic family circumstances he lived in Fiji from the age of seven. After completing his High School, Fr Hiagi left for Sydney to join the Society of the Divine Word in 1998. He went to Romania in 2003 for two years for his Overseas Training Program which is a cultural experience in yet another country. This experience touched him deeply and, when being ordained deacon he was offered a choice of country for ministry, he chose to return to Romania.

His ordination ceremonies were culturally enriched by singing and dancing from various Islands from the South Pacific. The simple action of the ‘laying on of hands’ by the Bishop, which is central to the ordination ceremony, was repeated by more than  thirty priests at the altar

Taveuni, the third largest island of Fiji is home to Fr Ioane Racumu SVD. The 'garden island' as it is known comprises lush tropical vegetation, significantly high mountains and a coastline providing abundant fish.

Fr Ioane was ordained a priest by Very Reverend Archbishop Petero in the grounds of Holy Cross Church, Taveuni, Fiji on Saturday 20th December. It was the forty ninth anniversary of the Archbishop's ordination as priest and Ioane was 92nd priest he ordained since becoming a Bishop. Hundreds of people, family and friends, gathered for three days of celebration of Ioane's ordination in the church grounds of Holy Cross Parish.

The first thanksgiving Mass was at his father's village on Sunday. His father died during his time in Melbourne but the extended family gathered and celebrated. On Monday another significant celebration was held in the village where his mother's family live and where she has lived since the death of her husband. Fr Iaone was presented with the 'magimagi' - the traditional symbol of highest honour within the village. Feasting interspersed with singing, dancing and kava drinking filled the daylight hours of each of the three days.

As Fr Ioane prepares for his mission in Botswana, Africa, he assures his people that he is not lost to them but that he takes them with him in his heart and they become missionary through him in the strength their care and prayer give him.