My Life is My Service

Celebrating a milestone in our lives only happens once in a lifetime. On the 6th of August, 2011, the Salesian Sisters at Henderson rejoiced with Sr. Sialei Puapuaga Taofinu’u in celebrating her twenty five years of Religious Profession as a Daughter of Mary Help of Christians (FMA). She chose, “My life is my Service” as her motto on her first profession to challenge herself and live by it in her whole religious life for the past 25 years.

The celebration was highlighted with the Thanksgiving Eucharist Celebration presided by Fr. Ambrose Pereira sdb, with six other priests concelebrated at the Sisters’ Residence at Henderson. In Fr. Pereira’s sermon he said, “Today’s celebration of the life commitment of Sr. Sialei for 25 years, challenges us to look at our own commitments regardless of whether we are priests, sisters, parents or youth. Are we serving others in our daily lives or are we just serving ourselves and wait to be served?”

“I would like first of all to thank God for all the blessings showered upon me during these 25 years. My heart-felt gratitude is towards my parents, brothers, sisters and all those who have helped me in my journey of religious life”, Sr. Sialei Puapuaga Taofinuu said.

She also recalled one great inspirational couple who were part of her spiritual life back home. Catechist- Lafaele Teofilo and wife Telesia Teofilo. “I am honored to have the presence of their son and family, Mr. and Mrs. Maletino Teofilo and children, among us today.”

The congratulations and best wishes from families and friends were conveyed during a simple lunch prepared by the sisters and staff of the Laura Vicuna Hostel. Entertainments from various religious orders and small Samoan community in the Solomon Islands brought the celebration to its grand finale.