Happy and joyful greetings to you all! On Saturday, November 15, 2025, I had the opportunity to travel to Alaolo Canaan community to celebrate Mass with them and to commission one of their young men to become a Catechist.

Alaolo is a small community with my Parish and it is situated in the jungle of the Kwaio mountains. Being a Christian community in 2015, the community lacks a Catechist to conduct Sunday services and lead prayers for them. One of the young men of the community sees the need of his community and so decided to to attend trainings for Catechist in Buma Catechist center. After completing 4 block courses, he is now ready to become a catechist.

Greetings of peace to you all!

Now the festive Christmas celebration is near while the ending of this year 2025 is at hand. At this juncture, we have our annual Priests retreat again. It takes place in Buma St. Louise Centre. Beginning from December 8th, till to 14th, 2025.

Priests retreat is an annual program in the diocese. The aim of the retreat is for the continuous renewal and strengthening of Priests in the Priesthood ministry that they must be sincere and faithful in carrying out their work.

The theme of our retreat this year is “Re-discovering the identity of  the Priesthood”. The theme comes from the teaching of the early fathers of the Church in the likes of St. Ireneus, Ambrose, John Chrysostom, Gregory of Nyssa, Gregory the Great and St. Leo the Great. These Father’s teach the path to holiness, they love the church and they live on what they taught.

Our retreat Master for this year is Fr. Daniel C.M. from Indonesia. Sr. Anji of Daughters of St. Ann congregation also assist him. She is from India but she works under the Catholic Bishops conference of PNG/SI. She presents a talk to us on “Right Relationship in ministry as Priest”. Another helpful subject that helps us to be aware of issues that occur in the church today, most especially sexual abuse cases that affect the Clergies, religious, and church workers.

The talks have been a challenge for all of us priests of the diocese. For they make us reflect on how we carry out our priesthood ministry sincerely in the Priesthood of Christ. The retreat ended on Sunday, December 14th in a Holy Mass presided over by the Diocesan Administrator. All priests have been so grateful for the wonderful moment of grace and are looking forward for the festive celebration of Christmas and new year 2026.

With prayers, wishes and regards to you all!

Have a blessed Christmas celebration in the spirit of the Holy child of Bethlehem.

Fr. Albert Kalu