Above photo during Easter

Easter celebrations

At Gizo Easter was a great relief and an awesome occasion , as we did not celebrate it in 2007, because of the earthquake and tsunami tragedy. Our Easter celebration with our new Bishop was full of grace and prayerful. It was an experience of calm and excitement among our people in the parish. The encouragement message of our Bishop gives hope to all, as we look forward to the implementation of our Diocesan Pastoral Plan.

By Joseph Lalaubatu

We Remember the loved ones

More than 150 people from Nusabaruku celebrated the 1^st anniversary earthquake & tsunami Mass at Nusabaruku. The Anniversary celebration included Dominican friars and sisters, diocesan staffs and visitors around Gizo. The 10am mass was celebrated by Bishop Luciano Capelli sdb and Fr John Mc Kenna OP. The earthquake & tsunami mass celebration was turned out ecumenically. A praise song was sung at the beginning of the mass which encouraged everyone to have faith and hope and have trust in the Lord. “We shall overcome…….the Lord shall see us through…….work hand in hand…..we are not afraid……..the truth shall make us free….and we shall live in peace someday,” the song reminds everyone that we are not left out and our God is ahead of us. United church communities and catholic communities from Nusabaruku with visitors witnessing the 1^st anniversary celebration.

Western and Choiseul province were badly affected by the 2^nd April earth quake which at least 52 were confirmed dead.

June 25^th, 2007

Dearest Friends:

Here is an update from Gizo, in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands, after the tragic earthquake and Tsunami of April 2. Three months later, we are still finding our way out of the rubble, and helping people to stand on their feet again.

Thank you to donors from Bishop Bernard O'Grady OP

Dearest Friends who have donated to those who suffered in the Tsunami:

Greetings from Gizo, in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands.

We have survived!!

Despite the widespread devastation, a sample of which is shown in the this photo, we are slowly making our way to recovery after the magnitude 8.1 earthquake of April 2, 2007 and the devastating Tsunami which followed. Amidst our turmoil, we had an inspiring experience of the visit of the World Youth Day Cross here in Gizo on April 15th, just 13 days after the disaster which left thousands homeless, and many of our friends and family lost or injured. The arrival of the WYD Cross and Icon of Mary, which are shown in the photo with the damaged cathedral in the background, became an image of our own suffering since the tsunami and earthquake.

There has been so much suffering and pain throughout the diocese. Our youth really rose to the challenge, tirelessly carting rice, feeding people and cleaning up the mess. "We hope to encourage our youths to continue on with their enthusiastic participation in the rebuilding process of our diocese and within their communities, especially amongst themselves and their families," said Joseph Lalaubatu, the Diocesan Youth Director.