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From the start of six diocesan priests being sent from Melbourne by Archbishop Knox in 1969, MOM has continuously changed over the years. One of the objectives of self-replacement by local people has very much been achieved. An example of this being the mission stations in the Highlands of PNG located at Kanabea and Bema. Indigenous people now staff schools, medical outposts, and a hospital. St Joseph of Cluny Nuns as well as lay missionaries have trained teachers, nurses and equipped locals with trade skills. These dedicated missionary people have nurtured the growth of the mustard seed into a beautiful and mighty tree. MOM continues to be active in many other areas of the world. The war weary of Sierra Leone, Albania, Peru, Chile, the flood victims of PNG and Vietnam, have all benefited from MOM support and aid. St Paul’s Overseas Aid has shipped 458 boxes of clothing, medical and educational supplies to the less fortunate, these donated gifts were valued at $352,000.

Education ranks high in MOM objectives with literacy, health, family planning, AIDS awareness, gender equality, trade and agricultural training being an integral part of projects. Spreading the Good News is a priority in all development activities. Fr John Flynn, acting for Bishop Paul Marx, who had been ill, walked to several villages in the Highlands of the Gulf Province of PNG. Fr John was surprised that local catechists had prepared 283 Kamea people for baptism, another 100 for confirmation and 24 couples for marriage. These were people from 10 mountain villages and Fr John asked if this day’s activity would make him a candidate for the Guiness Book of Records! A further example of growth is that a number of people are pursuing religious vocations. Indeed, two Kamea men who had attended primary school at Kanabea, are now priests tending their own people and one Kamea woman has joined the Handmaids of the Lord, a local religious order.

The Missionary Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny continue to relieve suffering and promote human dignity through rehabilitation of war wounded victims in Sierra Leone, adult education programs in PNG villages including literacy, hygiene, health, self reliance, family life apostolate and gender equality. Fr Michael McEntee, formerly at East Brighton parish, has accepted the position of Rector of the Bomana Seminary, Port Moresby. His challenges are many and varied, however, education of local clergy is another way that this Archdiocese is reaching out to people in need.

Staffed by volunteers, MOM provides assistance to less fortunate people in developing countries. The treasurer in his last report indicated that 95% of the donated dollar was utilised in development or aid. The parishioners of the Archdiocese of Melbourne can well be proud of the continuous support given over the years.

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Paul Marx, Bishop of Kerema, PNG - says thanks to MOM.

This year Melbourne Overseas Mission has contributed to 4 programs

1. Clean water project.

We still remember that terrible nation wide EI Nino drought which lasted almost the whole year. For 6 months we had to fetch water every day from the Murua River, which is 21 kilometres from the village of Kerema. We needed water not only for all the families of our staff (some have 7 & 8 children) but also for the guesthouse. Besides this people came up from the market nearby asking for water. People from the hospital, prisoners all came in search of water.

Early this year a driller happen to come from Lae with his equipment to do a job for the government. This provided a unique opportunity to attempt the drilling of a well. We had to drill to a depth of 54 meters to strike clean drinking water. The project is now completed. There is now abundant clear water supply for everyone. The total cost was K50,903.90 - MOM contributed K 10,224,20.

2. Infrastructure Bema- Tawa Road

MOM has already participated in this project in past years and continues to do so. We had hoped to make much more progress this year but this has not happened because expected funds from Miserior in Germany and from the PNG Government have not been forthcoming. PNG is going through financial crisis so funding is very tight. It is over a year ago that the priest from Bema with the people had pegged the road to Yambona gap; the pegs were rotting away. It was necessary to cut a small bench on the mountainside so that the hard work of last years pegging would not be lost. Availability of road transport to replace the ever increasing cost of air freight will significantly effect peoples lives. Indeed, the live of a catechist was lost because there was no aircraft available for this medical emergency. MOM contribution K5,000

3. Alotau Convention

Mrs Ruth Nico from Wempango was sent to the Southern Region Women’s Convention in Alotau. The Gulf Province has always ignored the women from the mountains and in particular from Kainteba and Kotidanga subdistricts. A convention taking place for the Southern Region at Alotau would have a group of women from the coastal area, however, no representation from the mountain districts would have been possible without MOM assistance of K900.

4. Literacy and AIDS awareness.

HIV/AIDS disease is prevalent in PNG and increasing at an alarming rate. Your MOM finance assisted Srs Rachel and Claudia in the planning and implementation of HIV education programs, which they ran at both mountain and costal high schools. Classes are also held to promote women’s literacy which ultimately assists to improve their standing in their patriarchal society.

MOM contribution - K1,875

Bishop J Paul Marx MSC

Picture Caption :

A sign of growth of the local church.

Bishop Paul Marx MSC ordains Rev Samuel Yvonane Wenive whilst Rev David Kamao, the first Kamea priest, dressed in traditional grass skirt and bark cape, receives the vestments from Samuel’s father. There are eight more young men from the mountain villages studying at the seminary.

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