“It is fitting and challenging for all of us to be reminded of our baptismal and Christian responsibilities as builders of our small Christian Communities in our society. Our community growth depends on our concern for one another and seeing the problems that needs to be addressed.”

This were the challenging words echoed to the thirty (30) participants, representing Nila, Moli, Sirovanga, Wagina, Gizo, Noro and Voruvoru Parishes of the Catholic Diocese of Gizo during the workshop on “ Building Small Christian Community” at the Pastoral Centre., Moli from 9 – 14 May, 2011.

The training workshop was facilitated by Moses Poqeava, the Diocesan Bible Apostolate Coordinator and ably assisted by Fr. Gabriel Matotewa, Jerome Kuibatu, George Pitatu and Joseph Lalaubatu.

The one week’s training was to live and relive an experience of community spirituality in order to deepen one’s own faith and commitment to the renewal of the Church. Participants were also challenged to recall their own community way of life and propose actions in building a community that reflects and live the life of the Gospel.

Participants were told that, first and fundamental challenge and the first step forward for building a Christian Community is about personal renewal and conversion. Unless each one of us make or take stock of all our negativities, personal resistances and decide likewise to opt for better future, our community that we aspire to renew and form will never happen.

Some main sessions covered includes; we are brothers and sisters in Christ, what makes us one, building our Christian community, if we all use our talents we grow together, when we do things together we wake up, self reliance gives dignity, the place of Gospel sharing groups in the Church, staying together.

Throughout each morning of the week, participants were able to share and experience the ‘seven steps’ method of Gospel Sharing. This formed the main part of building small Christian community in which the participants were encouraged to make it as part of their daily life.

Manual handbooks on Building Small Christian Community was given to all participants and were asked to returned with an action plan to begin calling meetings in their communities and Parish as well.

Diocesan Pastoral team acknowledged the great support given by the communities of Moli Parish and the Pastoral Centre staff.

May we all journey together and build our community in the light of God’s Word, living and alive in our hearts.

Gizo Participants

Wagina Participants

Commitment

Following the success implementation of HEY DAD training for daddies in 2010 and strong recommendation for the program to be given to mothers, the Catholic Diocese of Gizo Pastoral Team has conducted series of training of trainers for mothers called” HEY MUM in its Parishes of Moli, Sirovanga, Voruvoru, Gizo, Noro and recently from 26^th – 29^th May, at Cookson, Wagina Parish.

A total of fifty –two (52) mothers attended at Wagina and with the theme: “Mothers, God’s Word is our Life and Light that strengthens us to live the spirit of communion through reconciliation” mothers have been challenged to deeply reflect on their roles as mothers and be the life and light of the family.

The Parenting education program for mothers which contains eight sessions was very well attended by a total of hundred (100) mothers so far. Sessions topics covered includes; The Role of Mothers, Understanding Children as they grow, Relating to our Children, Communication & its importance in the family, Dealing with Emotions, New direction in discipline, Self-Esteem and Just for You.

As mothers the program calls and challenges them for a greater parenting roles in seeing their children grow happily, together with their husbands. Mothers have been challenged to be parents; that is to be the heart of love in the family and to show their children and husbands how to love.

We were not trained to be mothers but our children called us and trained us to be mothers in understanding our parenting roles and doing our responsibilities for our children together with the daddies in the family. We ought to give 100% of our lives and responsibilities to our Children.

All mothers attended responded with a greater commitment for change and to do their best in their families and to share what they have learned with other mothers in their Parish. They have shown the enthusiasm to live it and share with other mothers.

At the closing program, mothers made their commitment to be good Christian mothers and be advocators of the parenting roles of mothers and see that young mothers in the Parish are assisted. Handbooks on the Hey Mum training which contains eight sessions were given to participating mothers to plan and organize sessions for their daddies in the Parish.

The Diocesan Pastoral Team facilitators includes, Fr. Stephen Te’e, Sr. Rita Pitavavini OP, Janet Burabura, Jerome Kuibatu, Moses Poqeava and Joseph Lalaubatu.