Kiripia parish opens new church

KIRIPIA Parish in the Tambul-Nebilyer District of Western Highlands, will celebrate and mark the dawn of another year with a grand opening of a new church building in their area. Strengthening the faith of the Catholic faithfuls, and celebrating moments together into the lead up to observe the birth date of Jesus Christ on December 25, the Coadjutor Archbishop Fr Clement Papa will be the main celebrant to share the Word of God with a mass with the congregation, followed by the official opening today (Friday) at Porola, St Mary’s Catholic Church. The St Mary’s Porola Catholic Church was used as a prayer meeting or a fellowship house, to its main Parish, Kiripia, and was built in the late 1970s, however, it has now been refurbished so congregations can host Sunday mass with their local priest.

Kiripia and its outstations, including the St Mary’s Porola Catholic Church come under the Mt Hagen Archdiocese and hosting such church gatherings, followed with Communion, baptism and sacraments, are a fitting thing to do at Christmas. Catechist Mark Kane praised all surrounding communities of Sipaka-Kepaka and Komola and the sister churches for their kind support in cash and kind, in hosting the opening of the church successfully. Catechist Kane added that Nebilyer deanery, Southern Highlands in Diocese of Mendi and Imbonggu and other parishes in the Highlands attended the event.



The Coadjutor Archbishop Fr Clement with his delegation from the head office in Mt Hagen arrived safely in Kiripia yesterday and will take lead in the mass, including baptism, communion, sacraments and official opening of the new church building today. The church elders also extended their gratitude to Fr Thomas Posul of Imbonggu Parish, Fr Michael Anis and Fr Simon Rapu of Kiripia for taking lead since Monday, by conducting mass, retreats and bracing the faiths of congregations together until the official launching yesterday..