Blessed, happy and joyful greetings to you all once again! It’s a blessing too, for everyone that we be able to reach the middle of this year. As we continue to pursue our works and dreams in life, we continue to do it under the guidance of God by his spirit.

Friends, back to us here, this month of July, offers to our Parish church another moment of celebration. It is the feast of St, Maria Goretti and it falls on the July 6th as according to the church calendar.

St. Maria Goretti is from Italy. She was born on October 16, 1890 and died on July 6, 1902 at the age of eleven years (11). The cause of her death is because she protected the morality and sanctity of her life against the man who was attracted to her beauty and wanted to sexually abuse her and for that, the man killed her. Pope Pius XII canonized her as Saint on the June 24, 1950.

For the Catholic church of P.N.G / S.I. St. Maria Goretti is taken and declared as Patron saint for the Youths. Her holiness and her stand against  the immorality of this life is seen as light for the youths in this modern world and so her feast day is honored and celebrated every year. In the Diocese of Auki, the feast day is celebrated in two levels, first in the Diocesan which involves all Parishes in the Diocese, second in parish level which each parish hosted its own program where youths in the communities come together.

This year 2026, We celebrated the day in our own parish station of Buma. Around 800 youths all over in the parish come together for the celebration. The program started with the opening Mass on Friday, July 3rd of July and ends on Monday, July 6th. During the course of the program, various talks have been presented to the Youths in the likes of :

• The life of St, Maria Goretti
• The Holy scripture & Eucharist.
• Heaven is the vision and goal for our human life
• The vocation for the ministries in the church.

Besides the talk presentations, the Youth had chances to reflect and join in prayers of the Rosary and adoration of the blessed sacrament at their allocated times. Indeed, it’s another wonderful and joyful time for the youths of our Parish as they have opportunity to hear talks that will contribute to the formation of their future lives.

On Monday, July 6th, the final day as well the day of the Saint itself. Holy Mass is celebrated. After the mass ended, the Youths proceed on to feasting and entertainment. It carries on till to the evening of the day. After all, everybody find way back to their homes.

With wishes and regards to you all!

Yours sincerely in Christ!

Fr. Albert Kalu