Rosary had some fine members of staff, particularly women members, and their dedication was remarkable. Together with the expatriate Brothers and Sisters, and other Volunteers like myself, we worked together to ensure that Rosary Secondary School survived and flourished. I have an enormous admiration for the administration of Br Bernie as Headmaster and Br Raffy as Deputy.
Mun Primary School By Br. Rick Gaffney In the 1990s, all of the National Brothers were primary school or elementary school teachers. However, none of the Brothers communities was specifically established for a primary school ministry. Therefore, National Brothers often had to travel each day to get to their Community School or Elementary School where they were working. So that the Brothers could have a community with the ministry focus on a primary school, the National Brothers themselves looked at various options within Papua New Guinea. These included places in Central and Western Highlands Province. Thanks to the work of Br. Teddy, St Joseph’s Primary School in Mun Western Highlands was chosen as the location for the new community. The parish priest Fr. Joseph and the parish council were very welcoming.
At the beginning of 1999, Brothers Rick, Erico, Boni and Henry began the Brothers’ Community there. Brothers Rick, Erico and Boni taught in the school, while Henry travelled each day to Holy Trinity Teachers College to complete his studies. The people of Mun and the local area were quickly aware of and happy at the arrival of the Brothers. Mun was a great place to live: the people were friendly and very interested in what the Brothers were doing, and the local markets were full of fresh fruit and vegetables. The Brothers cooked using a kerosene stove, the fuel bought from sellers in the local village. The school was located quite close to a river where the Brothers could wash and swim, as well as wash their clothes. MAMBU MAGAZINE
ISSUE 1 2021
14
