Your Daily Spiritual Companion
Newsletter - September 2009
PREAMBLE
The
Catholic Community of Papua New Guinea realizes the potential
of Radio, Television and others forms of mass communication as
a means of Evangelization and development of Papua New Guinea.
OBJECTS
AND PURPOSES
(a) To promote spiritual and moral values Blessed Peter ToRot
lived and died for. (b) To promote the cause for the canonization
of Blessed Peter ToRot.
(c) To provide resources and the opportunity for on-going spiritual,
personal renewal and formation for lay people.
(d) To ensure that materials of historical significance that
have been documented are preserved in the Archives.
(e) To create awareness about the potential of an electronic
and print media as a valuable tool for religious, cultural and
social development of the country.
(f) To provide venue and opportunities for the following activities:
- a venue for religious/spiritual conferences, - accessibility
for research and formation, - production of TV/radio/internet
documentaries, - enhance better collaboration of lay and religious
- enhance greater ecumenical cooperation.
Target
Groups according to the spirit of Blessed Peter ToRot’s
& National Pastoral Plan:
Families—Alive in Christ,
Children—Loved and Cared for,
Youths—Happy and Fulfilled,
Men and Women—Properly informed and Participating,
The Sick—Properly cared for,
The Poor—Respect and self-reliance,
Orphans and Widows—Accepted and cared for,
Strangers— Welcome and hospitalized,
Girls and Women— Respected and provided security.
Expected
results/outcome:
Lay
people will grow in the knowledge and understanding about their
faith through the example, life and witness of Blessed Peter
ToRot and his spirituality. The recognition by the Church of
the holiness of Blessed Peter ToRot through his canonization.
Lay people are inspired and deepened in their faith, by the qualities,
values and total commitment to a life of serving others in the
church and community. There is more understanding and acceptance
in the spirit of ecumenism.
IN
VUNAPOPE: 88.10 FM, MALMALUAN: 91.30 FM
Originally
Vunapope was the first Catholic Radio Network Station to go on
air 3rd July 2003 and was dedicated to Blessed Peter ToRot on
7th July 2003 in Rakunai. The station through the transmitter
at Malmaluan was relying signal of CRN from Port Moresby until
10th of November 2006.
“The
Catholic Church is conscious of the importance of radio in the
lives of the majority of the people in Papua New Guinea and neighboring
countries. It sees the introduction of this facility as another
important contribution to the information options available to
the population.” (Abp Karl Hesse msc)
Abp Karl Hesse remained committed to his statement and re-established
again the Catholic Radio in Archdiocese of Rabaul.
The first broadcast from newly build and equiped with modern
digital broadcasting radio equipment studio to coincide with
the Dedication of Vunapope Cathedral on 29th of September 2008.
The Cathedral is wired to the studio and the Holy Eucharist is
broadcasted daily.
The station has also live link to Vatican Radio as well as EWTN.
This enables the voice of the universal church being heard. The
number of outside broadcasts being conducted live or pre-recorded
for later broadcasts. The archdiocesan offices are using radio
update information about different pastoral activities in the
church.
Fr Albert Tuat with assistance of Bernard Torot (technician)
make sure that the station is in full operation on 24-hours bases
with variety of programs. The cooperation with Radio East New
Britain and Karai National Radio is also promoted.
IN
KEREMA: 94.30 FM
Kerema Voice of Peter ToRot started in September 2007. It was
connected originally with auxiliary Bishop Rochus Tatamai but
soon after the station went to full, 500w power, Bp. Rochus was
made bishop of Bereina. During his farewell service at Kerema
Cathedral Bp. Rochus handed over the care for the station to
Bp. Paul Marx. The station run on 24-hours bases.
IN BEREINA: 88.50 FM
So the struggle of Bishop Rochus continue...
From mid of 2008 preparation were done and test broadcast begun
in September 2008 with small transmitter of 30w only and slowly
grew up to 300w.
Bereina District is closer to the city of Port Moresby and yet
so remote and distant; thus disadvantaged in accessing the facilities
and benefits of development necessary for the well-being of the
population concerned. Such an FM Community Radio Station in Bereina
begins to contribute towards providing an alternative means of
communication and information through awareness in the different
areas of health, education, social awareness in issues such as
law and order, leadership, community building, methods of farming,
fishing and self-reliant initiatives towards improving and promoting
integral human development of the people.
In 2o1o, the Catholic population of the Southern Region celebrates
the 125 anniversary of its presence and evangelization of the
peoples. This is a significant milestone in its history and continual
commitment to the people through delivery of vital services like
health, education infra-structure development and ultimately
contributing towards nation building and advancement.
Hence, the “Voice of Peter ToRot” fosters the production
of programs and broadcasts alternative and supportive information
towards education, formation, entertainment and communication
through its radio service to both the civil and Catholic population
in and around the communities and the region. This opportunity
also provides for health awareness programs on sicknesses and
diseases like Malnutrition, Malaria, TB, HIV/AIDS, etc, as well
as promoting Education and Literacy awareness programs, addressing
social issues, Environmental and Justice concerns thus enhancing
the Spiritual and Integral Human development of the Population.
The
OLSH Title 150 Years Celebration broadcasted live in Bereina
and Lorengau-Manus.
IN
LORENGAU-MANUS IS. 105.10 FM
St. Michael’s community consists of the Catholic population
living in and around Lorengau Township and extends along the
highway to as far as Papitalai, Lombrum and Loniu areas.
Manus Island is a maritime Province thus prawn to natural disasters
especially the experiences of high seas and the onslaught of
waves. In December 2008 and January 2009 such high seas affected
more than 30% of the total population of 50 000 people who live
in the outer islands and along the coastlines.
In January 2009, we were in Manus to conduct test broadcast and
give the population an experience of Live Radio but due to the
current state of Alert and Provincial State of Emergency we were
obliged to make available our resources and equipment to be at
the service of the population’s safety and well-being. The
advantage was we were on air 24 hours. With the assistance of
the Provincial Administrator, Pangtel granted the broadcast license.
The Diocesan Youth Cross was also touring Manus Deanery so the
Voice of Peter ToRot— Lorengau brought live the processions
and rallies to the youth in the communities as well as to the
general population.
IN
PORT MORESBY:
In preparation for 125 years Jubilee in 2010 of Catholic Church
in the Southern Region, MSC PNG Province in cooperation with
Archdiocese of Port Moresby and Diocese of Bereina is in the
process of establishing radio station at MSC Media Centre. The
studio will give support to other Catholic Radio Stations around
the country, especially link up Southern Region.
The Voice of Peter ToRot—Port Moresby will continue production
of Catholic Television Programs for National Television Service—Kundu
2.
IN
THE LORD’S VINEYARD:
In special memory of many men and women dedicated to the evangelization
of PNG we feature interviews and testimonies of the lives and
ministries of missionaries. Through such testimonies we inspire
and promote vocations amongst the youth as they discern their
commitments for life.
Sr.
Berenice Twohill OLSH,
age 93 and in retirement in Sydney marks the last living person
who still remember in great details WWII and her life as POW
at Ramale Prison Camp, near Vunapope in Rabaul
Contact: Bishop Rochus Tatamai msc,
Diocese of Bereina, P.O.Box 300, Boroko, NCD
Email: rjtatamai@online.net.pg
Website: www.catholicpng.org.pg