Pohnpei Catholic faithful celebrated 33rd Diocese Day at COM-FSM Palikir gymnasium

On February 9, the catholic faithful of the Vicariate of Pohnpei and Kosrae in the Diocese of the Caroline Islands gathered with the clergy and lay leaders in the presence of Bishop Amando Samo at the COM-FSM gymnasium to celebrate the 33^rd anniversary of being a diocese in the Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church.

The celebration opened with a mass led by the bishop with all the ten parishes taking parts in the liturgical celebration that harmonized biblically rooted prayers and culturally symbolic performances.

The gymnasium was capacity-pact with the parishes, members of the International Catholic Community of Pohnpei and the President and First Lady of the FSM taking part in what may have been the first “massive” Catholic Church gathering in Pohnpei.

The gathering was huge not only in terms of the turnout but also in view of the twenty-three thousand plus dollars ($23,000) that was raised by the faithful of the Vicariate of Pohnpei and Kosrae in support of the various activities, ministries and administrative requirements for the Diocese of the Caroline Islands.

In his homily, Bishop Samo said that the Church in Pohnpei is experiencing the unfolding of God’s grace which moves the faithful to respond in many ways, including coming out to this year’s celebration. The Vicariate, in union with others in Micronesia, has responded to this “unfolding” all the time.

The mass was followed by singing and various other expressions of faith and celebration, including a “tochap” (group giving of money in a cultural way) initiated by the Chuukese and Yapese members of the International Group.

Fr. Julio Angkel, Vicar of Pohnpei and Kosrae, thanked the parishes for their generous efforts which has resulted in an unprecedented fundraising exercise by the vicariate that would support the Bishop and the Diocese.

Also present at the celebration were Fr. Dave Anthrus S.J. and Kenneth Urmolog S.J., two remaining Jesuit priests who assist Fr. Angkel in ministering to the Catholic Church in the Vicariate of Pohnpei and Kosrae.

Bishop Samo will return to Chuuk on February 12.