Preparation for WYD08

About 50 youths from our diocese gathered here in Gizo for world youth day preparation. The preparation was facilitated by Fr. Gerome Pelagio and was programmed by Joseph Lalaubatu, Br.Johnson and Sister Teresa. The program is for Spiritual preparation, it is a recollection activity mainly to discover their relationship between or within themselves.

Youths are selected from, Gizo, Noro, Kavata, Moli, Nila. And Wagina and Canaan who are expected to join the Group at Honiara. The youths left Gizo on Monday, the 30th June.

Thank you tumas oloketa

Dear Pittwater Parish


On behalf of the 6 of us from the Diocese of Gizo, especially Rose, Cecilia,  Dennis, Joseph and Cletus, we would like to forward our biggest thanks to Pittwater Parish especially to Simon Hyland and his family and Michael and Christine Shanahan for nice accommodation, food and the medications for our health.  Their nursing was like a really Mother to us (Better than public Doc's  here).  Also to Adam Ahern and other members of the Soul Group who provided us  support and liaison. Adam who was absent during the farewell night he was sick but after he managed to got up and said goodbye to us.

Not forgetting Father Rex Curry, the Parish Priest of Pittwater plus the Parish Council who were most supportive of the project and Bishop Bernard
O'Grady who helped make us welcome. Big Wan tumas long- The "Fund Raising  Committee" Susan Berg the Chair of the Parish Council, Simon, Adam, David and Penny Kerr who organized the fundraising for us.

During arrival and when departing we were treated equally and we really feel  like at home. Your help will never forgotten. We have much to tell to our
parents, Friends, School Mates and Youths.

Lastly thanks for the Gifts from Pittwater and they will be our souvenir from Australia.

God bless you

Thank you

On behalf of Solomon 6

John Sotiava

Gizo Catholic Youth Celebrate WYD 2013.

A three days youth rally was organized by the Gizo catholic youth, parallel to the world youth day event celebrated at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil by Pope Francis and youth representatives, from all over the world. Various outer Islands were represented and, participants, challenged to echo the experience back in their island communities

The events included topics and activities to enable the youth to discover their uniqueness and express their views and commitment to face the challenges and pressure of today's modern world. Various speakers reflected on different topics relevant to the yearly theme" go and make disciples of all nations"

The spill over effects of the Bougainville crises and the social unrest on Guadalcanal – Solomon Islands, became the driving force that prompted the then Bishop of Gizo – Most Rev. Bernard O’Grady OP to establish the office of Youth and followed by the appointment of a Diocesan Youth Coordinator –Mr. Joseph Lalaubatu in early 2001. Sincere thanks to our Bishop for seeing the need of our youths.

Bishop’s great concern was the involvement of many youths in these crises and subsequent violent and victimizing effects that have on most youths and their communities. As Bishop, he knows that he has a responsibility of love and pastoral care for the Spiritual and social well being of our Catholic Youths through the creation of the youth office.

Shown here is the Gizo Youth team

Present Situation.

Since then, youths have been very much involved in a lot of community, Parish and Diocesan programs and activities. The impact of various youth program implemented in the last six (6) years on the lives of our youths is one of Spiritual recognition, Community awareness and Youth personal involvement in the Church, youth related activities and issues of common concern in the Diocese. Thus, these aspects of youth issues awaken our Community and Church leaders to pay more attention to the needs and aspirations of our young people. Youths themselves were also aware of their God-given gifts of service for the community and the challenges ahead.

Sport is one way to bring Youth together

Presently, we have more than 10,000 Catholics in the Diocese, of which more than half are youths. A total of 27 youth groups were formed in the five (5) Parishes of the Diocese. We also started Campus Youth ministry in the Secondary Schools with the help of parish Priests and Teachers.

To effectively coordinate and implement the organization’s formation and the consistency of program activities is a great challenge, due to the geographical & isolated location of the Parishes in the Diocese. Transport and communication are very much needed as islands were scattered from each other.

Youth load rice for Tsunami victims

Finally, I sincerely thank the then Auxiliary Bishop of Gizo, now Bishop of Auki – the Most. Rev. Christopher Cardone OP as our vicar who was very instrumental in the formation, organization and mobilizing of our youths in the Diocese. Thanking you for your great support, patience and understanding.

Joseph Lalaubatu

Youth, Media & Renewal Program Coordinator

Diocese of Gizo.

The Sirovanga parish Youth Team