A groundbreaking ceremony on Monday has marked an epoch in the history of the Catholic Church’s Carmelite Sisters in Tonga after living in poor housing conditions for more than a year.
Cardinal Mafi who led the prayer services during the ceremony thanked those who have helped made the dream to build the new monastery comes true.
The nuns arrived in the kingdom in 2011 and they immediately moved into a temporally monastery at the village of Fāhefa.
It was not long before the Sisters had to deal with housing issues including structural defects and roof that leaks whenever it rains.
Fr Sione Malakai Kātoa described the situation on his Facebook page and said:
“In heavy rain, they have buckets all over the place because the house is leaking. Many girls have come knocking at their door, but they haven’t got enough rooms for them”.
“Our people and the Diocese of Tonga have done a lot raising fund for this project. Our Communities overseas have helped out also”, said Fr Katoa.
A delegation from Samoa led by Mother Superior Sr Maria Elisapeta ocd, Sister Antonina ocd and members of the Samoa Charity Foundation for Carmelite Mission attended the historical ceremony.
They were joined by the Samoan Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Laauliolemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, who is the Chairman, Karameli Tuala, Theresa Thomsen, Mulipola Anarosa Molio’o and member of the OCDS.
“It is my prayer that this Mission Appeal will help the Carmelite and the Diocese of Tonga to make this vision come true. It all began with Late Bishop Finau….then picked by his Successor Late Bishop Foliaki now Cardinal Mafi has embraced this Vision and with God’s help, we will make this dream finally come true in our time. Praise the Lord”, Fr Katoa said.
