Tongan Community
It was September 1989 when the Tongan people decided that we needed to establish our own community. This was because, at that time, we had enough members and we needed to support our elderly people. Looking for a better life here in Auckland was very tough at times. As our Tongan community started to develop, our activities were held weekly as well as monthly. In later times, when the hall was built, we moved our activities to there. With the help of our Tongan Chaplain at the time, Fr. Lava ‘Enosi, we developed our relationship with our parish priest very successfully. Fr. John Bland gave us the opportunity to work in a way that really strengthened our structure and allowed us the opportunity to do things better, especially encouraging us to celebrate a monthly Tongan Mass as well as our Tongan Sunday School. Our Youth was also encouraged to take part in our liturgy and other celebrations that we hope will strengthen their faith in the Lord.
We have worked with a lot of Tongan Chaplains who came to New Zealand from different backgrounds and who allowed us to grow our faith stronger and stronger. Our Elderly did have a passion around our New Zealand born children and were strong advocates for all our activities to be in our language. Unfortunately, this had to stop after two years, because of a lack of volunteers. Fr John Bland allowed our youth to perform the Station of the Cross on every Good Friday. This went really well and a lot of parishioners from other cultures came to take part in this special event.
We then looked at how to get our Tongan Parishioners involved with our Tongan Mass. Leaders at the time decided that we needed to split the Community into 4 different groups. This was very successful, with each group rotating responsibility for our Tongan Mass. As we have developed our community spirit, we have continued to contribute to our parish. We have our own representatives on the parish council and we also assist with leading the singing every 4th Sunday at 10am Mass. There are important people that we would like to acknowledge who have contributed to building our Tongan Communities but they have been called to rest.
A huge thank you to those who have carried these roles for years. Some of them are still with us but most have moved on to different places and other parishes. We will continue to be part of St Thomas More parish, this is our base and all our activities are held here. Thank you to Fr Alfredo for the support he has given us so far. We feel that we continue to be welcome at this parish.
Felise Tongilava Naufahu, March 2018
We have worked with a lot of Tongan Chaplains who came to New Zealand from different backgrounds and who allowed us to grow our faith stronger and stronger. Our Elderly did have a passion around our New Zealand born children and were strong advocates for all our activities to be in our language. Unfortunately, this had to stop after two years, because of a lack of volunteers. Fr John Bland allowed our youth to perform the Station of the Cross on every Good Friday. This went really well and a lot of parishioners from other cultures came to take part in this special event.
We then looked at how to get our Tongan Parishioners involved with our Tongan Mass. Leaders at the time decided that we needed to split the Community into 4 different groups. This was very successful, with each group rotating responsibility for our Tongan Mass. As we have developed our community spirit, we have continued to contribute to our parish. We have our own representatives on the parish council and we also assist with leading the singing every 4th Sunday at 10am Mass. There are important people that we would like to acknowledge who have contributed to building our Tongan Communities but they have been called to rest.
- Paulo Ahosivi Tatuila
- Lomano Halangahu
- Tivise Filisonu’u
- Leader for St Michael Group is Viliami Folaumoeloa
- Leader for Sacred Heart of Jesus is Sione Lepa
- Leader for St Mary Group is Monalisa Vea
- Leader for St Joseph Group is Soane Tu’itupou
- Felise Naufahu and Lolo Filisonu’u look after our Spiritual program.
- Pelenato Simonetti and Soane Tu’itupou look after our outdoor activities.
- Viliami Folaumoeloa and Lupe Manuha’apai look after our communication and secretarial requirement.
- Melania Folaumoeloa and Pamela Faka’osi look after our finance.
A huge thank you to those who have carried these roles for years. Some of them are still with us but most have moved on to different places and other parishes. We will continue to be part of St Thomas More parish, this is our base and all our activities are held here. Thank you to Fr Alfredo for the support he has given us so far. We feel that we continue to be welcome at this parish.
Felise Tongilava Naufahu, March 2018