Congratulations! New MSC Province, Province of the Pacific Islands
Here is the message from the Provincial Superior, Fr Tamati Sefo MSC, part of the Decree from Rome - and an explanation of the Province Logo. With thanks to Robati Tebauuea MSC, Suva, for the documents.
The message of the Provincial, Fr Tamati Sefo MSC, to the members.
Greetings from Sacred Heart House!
The 10th of May 2021, is a historical day for us. It is a day for all of us to celebrate with gratitude and joy, for today marks the official erection of the PROVINCE OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS. The name of the Province emerged after prayerful discernment and community consultation.
The 10th of May is a significant date for us for it was on this date in 1888 that the first Missionaries of the Sacred Heart from France arrived in Nonouti in Kiribati. We are grateful to God for their faith and courage for coming halfway around the world to spread the love of the Sacred Heart which they did with great enthusiasm and conviction. And so it is with deep gratitude to the French province for having sent these first missionaries to us. Today we are celebrating the erection of our province all because of their hard work, commitment and faithfulness to the Mission of our Lord. The untiring work of the first missionaries throughout all these years was rewarded when the MSC Pacific Union was erected on 10 May 1988. The late Father Joe Heggelin was the first Union Superior followed by subsequent Union Superiors and their Councils. With their gifts and talents, they have led and guided the Pacific Union with passion and determination. Today I want to acknowledge their wisdom, hard work, and foresight in paving the path for us. Today is a celebration of their hard work over the years of preparing us to become a Province.
I also take this opportunity to thank the past and present several Administrations who have supported and guided us through the years that we were a Union. We also thank the Australian Province and the Papua New Guinea Province who both played a major role in our growth toward becoming a Province. And on behalf of the Province, I would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to all the entities of the congregation who have generously provided us with finance and personnel over the years.
I would also like to acknowledge the great contributions and hard work of all our members who have played an important part in this exciting journey. Many of them past have passed on; their good work, sacrifices, and love will never be forgotten. We pray that our good Lord reward and welcome them into eternal life. I would also like to thank our Sisters, the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, for their prayerful support and loving kindness.
The contribution of our benefactors, Lay MSC members, staff and parishioners over the years also needs to be acknowledged. Their sacrifices and generosity make it easier and possible for us to continue the Mission entrusted to us. They too play a vital and important role in our journey.
Today I am happy to say that many young men are attracted to our Congregation taking up the challenge of spreading the love of the Sacred Heart. The Province continues to grow in numbers and in many other aspects.
We, as a new Province will now prepare for our first Elective Provincial Chapter. This is a very important event. It is at our first Provincial Chapter that we will elect our first Provincial and his Council to take us forward in the next three years. The future of the Province of the Pacific Islands looks very bright. I am very confident that we will continue to grow in faith and maturity. I am also very optimistic that the new Provincial and his Council will continue to bring us together as brothers in order to carry on the mission of our Lord with zeal, passion and faithfulness.
I conclude by taking us back in time when our humble Congregation was born in 1854. The Society of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was founded during the time of the French Revolution. It was a time of many difficulties, indifference and uncertainties in life. It was then that our founder, Jules Chevalier, saw in the Heart of Christ a remedy for our troubled world.
Likewise, today, amidst the fear, suffering and horror of the pandemic that is ravaging the world our new Province is emerging. We want to be a sign of hope and love to everyone as we stand in solidarity and prayer with all who are suffering from this deadly disease.
As members of a new Province, let's fix our eyes on Jesus and together contemplate his compassionate heart. It is in the compassionate heart of Christ, we can find true healing, peace and comfort of this challenging time.
May God bless and protect us all from this pandemic. May our Mother Mary, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, continue to intercede for us and protect our humble Province.
Thank you and have a prayerful and enjoyable celebration.
Tamati
Photo: Warren Perrotto MSC
From the Decree of the Direction of the Province, from Fr Mario Abzalon Alvarado Tovar MSC, Superior General. 10th May 2021.
Fr Tamasi Sefo, until now the Union Superior, is hereby appointed the first Provincial Superior of the new Province of the Pacific Islands. His Provincial Council will be comprised of the same conferees who made up the Union Council at the time the direction of the new Province, they are: Br Kaake Joane, (First Counsellor), Fr Vito Kelekele (Secretary), Fr Tetaoiti Tokanikai, Fr John Fong, Fr Poneventura Luatuanuu, Fr Beniata Bakatete, Fr Robati Tebaiuea (members).
Description of the logo of the MSC- Province of the Pacific Islands.
Ocean/sea - The sea or ocean is one of the common symbol in the Pacific Islands. All Pacific Islands are connected to each other by the sea. It is a symbol of our journey of joy and peace but also of Ups and Downs. Each wave contains challenges, determination, courage, faith, trust and hopes. (The ocean is also a symbol of life)
Canoe- a canoe is another common symbol in the Pacific Islands. It represents all of us as members of the Province of the Pacific Islands. It can also be a symbol of community Life. We are all on the canoe, sailing and journeying together to the world to proclaim God’s love. Each one of us plays an important role in helping each other in the mission.
The color of the canoe. The color Blue represents our Mother Mary, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart who has played an important part in our journey.
Sail- the sail that is used in the logo is the LOVE OF GOD that drives the province and congregation to the future. As the cross attached in the canoe, this symbolize the fact that Jesus is journey with us. He is our driving force. He will be always with us even in times of difficulties and uncertainties.
Globe/world- this represent that fact that we are not only mission in the Pacific Islands but also we are called to spread the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to the whole world. As our motto says, May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved.
