(Back Rows) Charlie Smith, Maurie McCallum, Phil Grundy, Barry Louisson, Vince Duggan, Gerard Buzolic, Ambrose Tottenham, Alfred Tivinarlik, Ezekiel Biat (candidate), Peter Dowling, Herman Wagira, Vincent Stallard, Kevin Ryan, Mark Varbongoi, Fidelis Toat

Put Out into the Deep

A Bright Future in PNG

Cosmas-Phil-Barry-Vin Stallard-Andrew

Farewell Cake

Papua New Guinea

Brothers in Papua New Guinea held their annual gathering at the Kefamo Retreat and Conference Centre in Goroka from 10-17 August. Some 23 of us PNG Brothers and candidates attended, with Vince Duggan, Julian McDonald, Francis Hall and Peter Dowling from overseas. There were fun and games trying to board flights (thousands of Four Square Gospel church members were also in Goroka for a gathering) but we got there.

The first part of the week was a retreat led by Mr Francis Kemakan. He presented Jesus in the context of Melanesian culture. We considered how he emphasised relationships. We reflected on how he studied in the university of life for 30 years, graduated at his baptism and served for only three years. We prayed over how he resolved conflict and what we could learn from him. We enjoyed times of reflection and prayer, and the community that we always feel as brothers when we come together. Francis shared parts of his life story and we appreciated all he said.

There were times for exercise or rest in the afternoons. Some of us walked some way up Mt Gahavisuka, the legendary home of the one-eyed, one-armed, one-legged spirit, Nokondi. Each day Bishop Francesco Sarego celebrated Eucharist with us, and we took turns with the preparation. His words and presence were inspiring, and his love and appreciation of the Christian Brothers were evident. Sr Stella and her band of willing helpers kept us well fed, and the cool Highlands climate certainly gave us an appetite.

We celebrated Tony Hamilton's birthday and farewelled Charlie Smith, thanking him for all he has done for the cluster over the last four and a half years.

Our evenings were relaxed. Francis on our last night took us around the world with video clips of the work of the Brothers and Edmund Rice Network. Vince surprised us all by announcing that one of the "stars" of a video segment on Ruben in Africa, Barry Callan, would be joining us in two weeks. At the time of writing he has just arrived in Erima, en route to Wewak. Barry, we welcome you!

Gerard Buzolic