WelCom November 2023
Lina Paulo-Sogialofa
A double celebration was held at St Michael’s Church in Taita of Te Awakairangi Parish over a weekend in September. On Saturday 23 September, St Michael’s Taita Samoan Aulotu/community celebrated their 30 years’ anniversary of establishment within the parish. The Sunday Mass celebrant Fr Alfred Tong celebrated his one-year anniversary as a priest.
Samoan Aulotu celebrations opened with a Mass at the church and led by Fr Mareko Api Tufuga, Fr Peter Timoteo mf, Fr Patrick Bridgman and pastoral leader Barbara Rowley. Members, parishioners, families and friends attended and took part.
Mass was followed with a luncheon reception at Naenae College Hall. The youth and Sunday school provided entertainment – the Aulotu Catechists Paulo and Nive Paulo FKS were proud to see how the Aulotu has grown and flourished. Members who had moved away came back for the weekend to celebrate and continue their work in spiritual care and guidance for the Aulotu.
The leadership team is run by Mr Leapai Malolo (president), Sogialofa Silago (vice president) Faaui Taefu (Failautusi) and Selesa Tupu (treasurer).
The Aulotu were privileged to have Fr Alfred Tong join them the next day to celebrate Sunday Mass and his one-year anniversary as a priest.
