http://Melania.tigblog.org/ What's on the minds of young leaders from around the globe? en-us http://Melania.tigblog.org/post/694011
A group of at least 100 Samoan youths, Catechesis and parents, came together under the leadership of Pilgrim Group leaders – Rev Fr Maleko Api-Tufuga; Sr Pesio Iosefo smsm; Vaueli Tolova’a FKS; Melania Lui; Tava’e Mika, Maryanne Trisha Tusa, Julia Nonumalo Clausen; Ursula Muavae; Pauline Tuia; Sapatu Sola, and choreographer Myikal Asovale. Here, the Youth representatives of WSCY for WYD 08 were formed. These leaders organised and affiliated fundraising events, fellowship nights, practices and programmes for their pilgrims. For the next year and half, these leaders worked hard for their youths to attend World Youth Day 2008.

One of the questions from the preparations of WYD08 was “What will we get out of WYD?” – Our question and vision was “What can we, the Samoan Catholic Youth of Wellington, GIVE to the Youth of the World at WYD 08?” This was to be our mission – to be Christ’s Witnesses and to give.

With an abundance of talent and skill within the Youth, we applied to animate Catechesis, perform for Youth Festival and enthrone the Bible at the Final Mass – we got two out three – Animation and Youth Fest! YEAH! The Fijians beat us to the enthronement (ha). All pilgrims participated in the preparation of the programmes, sewing, teaching songs and dances, prayer and leadership fellowship.


HOME AWAY FROM HOME - SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK!

This was to be home for the next week – and we were truly blessed! Easy access to public transport, a complex filled with recreation for our pleasure and a great pancake and ice cream stand for midnight indulgences. We got to cheer “All Blacks!” at an Australian League game at the ANZ Stadium. Our accommodation was different from all the groups from NZ, instead of being billeted to families, or going to a school hall or staying in a hostel, we were accommodated with the World in one massive complex!

We celebrated mass with 800 Samoans, conversed about Lord of the Rings with the Americans for blue rosaries, shared our 200 piece KFC with the Chileans, joked with the Canadians, swapped lava lavas and shirts with the Koreans and Italians, danced and circled with the Argentineans and Brazilians and taught a group game “Pukana” to the Australians. We met so many pilgrims from many countries and were able to share our culture and faith with the World.


OCEANIA YOUTH FESTIVAL

Our first performance was an invitation from the Oceania Committee – a festival of celebrating Pacifica at WYD08. Held at Tulloong Park at Darling Harbour we started off the morning by first waking up Sydney CBD with our drums and chants as we made our way to Darling Harbour, we arrived three hours early so we decided to teach the crowd the game “Pukana’ and “Le Manu’. This drew in more pilgrims and we performed to a crowd that filled the park on a stage of plastic crates. Our Second performance was to open the Youth Festival at Hyde Park, in front of St Mary’s Cathedral in the City. To our surprise we came to a stage of sand, it was of aboriginal significance and was privileged to have had the opportunity to perform the Haka on it. Hyde Park was packed; crowds sprawled onto the footpath and walkways wanting to see our performance. The last and final performance was beyond our expectation – Southern Precinct at Randwick Racecourse where the Pope celebrated mass. We were lead by our Pilgrim leaders, Fr Mareko and Sr Pesio, on top of the Red stage performing to thousands and thousands of pilgrims sharing with them our culture. Performing our Samoan traditional dances, the Haka and ending with the taualuga danced by our three Taupous, Katrina Letiu, Theresa Tolova’a and Salainaola Lisa-Maree Wilson representing the three regions of the Chaplaincy Youth, dancing with such grace and singing with pride. Thank you to all the groups that stayed behind that day just to cheer and support us. After each performance we were met with a frenzy of pilgrims with cameras and TV news crews from ABC, International and NZ news. A cultural performance and experience that will always be treasured for years to come.


ANIMATING CATECHESIS – OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL, WATERLOO

A beautiful church on top of a hill was to be our base for animating catechesis. We were joined by one of the youths from the Dunedin diocese, Wainuiomata St Patrick’s’ Samoan youth, the American Samoan Archdiocese and parishioners of the parish. We had Bishop John Dew to open our Catechesis, followed by Bishop Adrian Doyle of Hobart on Thursday and concluding with Bishop Malcolm McMahon of Nottingham, UK – Spirit filled presentations. Testimonies of living faith shared by Ake Laumemea, Maryann Leota and Ressa Lealofi, accompanied with spiritual dance compositions from the our whole youth with soloist performances from Lional Taito, Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Meli and Michael Faamau. It was three days of reviving our spirituality, to understand more about our faith and encouragement to embrace our Lords Words and Works and take that step forward as Witnesses of Christ. On the last day of animation, as we were waiting for the bus, a stranger walked past, returned and asked for us to pray for her – she looked worn out and heavy burdened – the whole group came in, circled around and laid our hands in prayer over her – the miracle, was she trusted in God through Us to pray for her.

World Youth Day for the Wellington Samoan Chaplaincy Youth was a Spiritual revival, an enhancement of our faith as Witnesses of Christ. We had a “pilgrimage of a lifetime’. We are unified as a group for Christ. We were able to attend with a difference, by participating in animation and performance, we shared our culture and faith with the World, we represented not only Wellington Archdiocese but NZ and Samoa.

On behalf of our Samoan Chaplains, Rev Fr Mareko Api Tufuga and Sr Pesio Iosef smsm and the pilgrims of the Wellington Samoan Chaplaincy Youth – Faafetai, faafetai, faafetai lava.

Melania Lui
Samoan Chaplaincy WYD Co-ordinator
]]> Wed, 10 Jun 2009 02:12:00 EDT http://Melania.tigblog.org/post/694011 -41.3 174.7833333-41.3174.7833333 http://Melania.tigblog.org/post/230495
I come here disturbed and sadden with heavy thoughts.

Working in youth ministry for practically half of my life I thought I would try something different - more of an extension of that ministry. So I took up a job as a babysitter at a home for troubled youth - one day a week, 8 hrs - sweet, don't really need the money but I thought to myself I've got some skills why not use it - so I took up the job. I have dealt with so many youth but never so much as troubled youth, youth that have been abused - mentally and physically, youth that have come from broken homes, youth that left home becos they have discovered they are adopted, youth that have fallen in with gangs, substance and alcohol abuse, youth that have been rejected by their parents and the list goes on and on.

In this house they call 'family home', the caregiver - a wonderful but firm social worker, does her best to reassure the kids that they are needed, that they are loved and that they are somebody. Many have succeeded and moved on, some have been bput into family homes, some have returned to their families and others sometimes just don't want it and return to a life of crime.

In the home we have a five year old resident, a native, smart child, vibrant and active as any five year old - sadly exposed to such horrific acts of physical and mental abuse from a deraged step father and ]]> Thu, 12 Jul 2007 05:11:00 EDT http://Melania.tigblog.org/post/230495 -41.3 174.7833333-41.3174.7833333 http://Melania.tigblog.org/post/165597
Just wanted to write a little about World Youth Day.

I attend the one held in Cologne, Germany 2005 and it was an event that change my life and enhanced my faith quite dramatically!

World Youth day is a gathering of Catholic/ Christian youth from around getting together every2-3 years at a country assigned. A week long of festivities, concerts, seminars etc about faith and how our part as a youth is vital to spread the love and word of our Lord and share our faith with everyone and anyone. It is a phenominal event and I do encourage anyone travelling to Sydney in 2008 to registar and come and join us it has attracted enormous amounts of people in Manilla, Phillipines it went up to 4 million and in Cologne, Germany at least a million - its bigger than the Olympics. Check out the sites www.worldyouthday.com to get a better understanding.]]> Thu, 08 Mar 2007 02:54:00 EST http://Melania.tigblog.org/post/165597 -41.3 174.7833333-41.3174.7833333 http://Melania.tigblog.org/post/165357
I KNOW NOW

We grew up together, so innocent and so close
Marveling in each others discoveries
You knew I would drift when I reached adolescence
And embraced rebellion,

Pushing you away by questioning your love
Doubting your works and words
The Importance of being counted in this World kept you at a distance,
Building a wall of shame, anger and emptiness around my heart,
Ready to take on the world by myself

Suddenly I was alone and lost
Battered and torn with despair, confusion and no hope,
You chiseled through my man-made wall
Your spirit busting it down,
Pouring in, to comfort and encourage me

You found me
Weak, naked with embarrassment and broken in Spirit
Your Spirit covered me, held me and carried me
Blessing me with Strength and hope

You bandaged and cared for my wounds-
To heal and restore my trust and faith in you
You melted my sorrows, despair and loneliness away
Yielding me to my knees-exhausted with pain,
next to you I gained my independence and freedom

You make me feel whole, safe and ready for lifes challenges
Because of my lies, my sins, my mocking, my disobedience
You sacrificed your life to forgive and to save me

I am in awe with you,
my Heart beats rapidly, making my chest heave heavily in your presence,
My eyes in fixation as I look at you,
my ears attentive with great absorption On your every written word,
My mind goes mad with my lips singing and praising your name,
Butterflies in my stomach flutters as I sit in our Fathers House

I am refreshed, when I stand in the wind and feel you breathe on me,
I am cleansed, when I stand in the rain to be drenched with your blessing,
I uplift my hands out to the Sun to feel your greeting
From the warmth of the rays,
I look unto the stars and moon to see you wishing me Goodnight,
Your graces surround me in Nature and life

I am proud, because you Know me
I am vain, by introducing you to everyone I meet
I am in love, as my admiration strives
To live in accordance with you
You are my Alpha, You are my Omega
JESUS, You are my Saviour

]]> Tue, 06 Mar 2007 14:37:00 EST http://Melania.tigblog.org/post/165357 -41.3 174.7833333-41.3174.7833333 http://Melania.tigblog.org/post/162059
I know there a many factors to consider that come into this, issues of many ways of prevention or sexual education, the woman's health etc etc - but I rather just keep it simple and say "that aside, this is just my thoughts on such a dark issue". As I read through it, I know it's not a masterpiece that it could never be considered as a poem but more of inner thoughts that I try to imagine and see myself as the child - it is very amature. So I welcome professional help and criticisim...hahaahahaha


I am not yet born,

Yet I can feel, hear, taste, touch – LIVE
I am in solitude, though I know I’m not alone
I am guilty, for this womb of sorrow
Through the vibrations of screaming voices and wailing
I hear the shame of my existence,
I feel the confusion and fear of this incubator’s soul

I am not yet born,

With anxiety and fear,
I am moving swiftly
Feeling each pounding step beneath me,
Feeling each pounding heartbeat above me,
Fear is exerted through the pores of the skin
with each sweat drop

I come to an abrupt halt!

Suddenly – wretched out into the cold brightness
Before time, incomplete, cold
flying into another watery existence
I am no longer!

Father! Why do you deny me?
Mother! Why are you ashamed of me?
My aiga! – help me, save me!-do you know of me?
Why are you afraid of me!

You coward!
I am innocent, like Jesus
you have found me guilty without trial
Convicted-knowing death is the verdict
I return to my creator unwrapped, unloved, unwanted
To be comforted and cradled in his arms

There, I will await for you
when you ask Him for forgiveness
There I shall be waiting to comfort you

Without Shame, sadness or sorrow
Without confusion, fear or anger
My chance of love I have for you

When I was not yet born.

]]> Wed, 14 Feb 2007 12:39:00 EST http://Melania.tigblog.org/post/162059 -41.3 174.7833333-41.3174.7833333 http://Melania.tigblog.org/post/127163
"At last" I say to myself when I accidentally stumbled upon this wonderous site -with a blog opening up to opinions on world views etc etc!

Today is Friday, 19 January 2007 and I am thankful it is the end of the Week! Next Monday is a public Holiday (Wellington Anniversary) that I am everso looking forward to in veging out for a day at the moment my brain is fried. We have a newcomer to our Youth Prog, Antonia and shes only 11 years old - absolute natural on air and with the guidance of Paula she is gonna fly thru her programme.

So, as I think back on the fact that I worked right through the holidays I'm actually looking forward to this break that is just six months away with great and NEEDED anticipation.

Plans for the weekend? spent with my father's family at the beachhouse in Titahi Bay organising and planning the family reunion - Kiwi Sector. How the Samoan saying goes "O i le sa to ai lou pute" (translation: Here is where my placenta was buried or here is where I planted my navel) meaning my paternal side is my foundation. Being the eldest of the eldest grandchild(my dad) of the eldest son (my grandfather) of the eldest patriarch (my great-grandfather) it seems and feels natural. My paternal great grandparents hail from the larger Island of Samoa, Savaii from the villages of Falealupo, Asau, Sagone and Samalaeulu - I am a descedent of the Sa Solia (Falealupo) and Sa Matalavea (Sagone) Sa Taulemago (Leauvaa) titles - I don't think they are as presitiges but to know this, that I am from Savaii makes me even more proud.

As history tells, the volcano on the island of Savai'i erupted sending the people of the villages that was in the path of her eruption fleeing to the sea, sailing and landing in the villages of Sa'anapu and Leauva'a and I'm sure around the other coastal villages. Well, my family landed on Leauva'a and have flourised from there. My grandfather, eldest of 16 children, 8 boys, 8 girls - my father, eldest of 10, 3 sets of twins were deceased leaving only four - 1 girl and 3 boys, me, eldest of 2, my sister and I. Homebase is Taufusi, Upolu whilst the land in Leauva'a is being looked after by one of my great uncle's grandson- we all gud! Family religion is strickly Roman Catholic and if you married into a different religion - you are automatically cut-off, I come from a family of catechis, the 8 older children were catechists with the only faletua of a catechist, whilst the younger 8 were free to choose which lead to the ousting of an aunt who married a seventh day adventist, two uncles one married a morman and the other married a divorcee - but from these families, they are the more committed ones that always are there to contribute to family faalavelave and are very fa'amaoni. As for the others, well, with the changing of times, the lure of the city life and it's social scene, many have lasped, not bothered with oratory and family stance, forgeting about the morals, traditions and standards the family had accept for the ones that went abroad. My great-grandparents would be turning in their tombs with what has been happening that has torn the family appart. Thank goodness this nonsence has not spilt over to those that are established abroad.

Hence, discussions of organising a family reunion with the guidance of my aunts and uncles. My father was the chief of our family here in NZ, now that he has gone with my great aunt who was the matriach following behind a year later - the family are looking towards the first NZ generation to take up the reigns and return the family to some type of normality. So I pray to God to give me the strength and faith to combine this together.

N E ways - pray for me






]]> Thu, 18 Jan 2007 16:39:00 EST http://Melania.tigblog.org/post/127163 -41.3 174.7833333-41.3174.7833333