St. Joseph Catholic church host 29th pre-Christmas lunch for the tupunas

The annual pre-Christmas lunch for the elderly folks on the island was held at the Matavai resort on Friday last week. Organised and hosted by the St. Joseph catholic church, this year marks 29 years of this Christmas event.

This event is considered the highlight for the elderly on the island where they meet up for a pre- Christmas lunch and dance and sing with their friends.

According to Chris Hipa who along with Ngatu Tukutama are the organisers of this event after taking over from Mrs Noga Bray. The first Christmas event was organised by the late Father Glover twenty-nine years ago.

This year was the first time the government ministers joined the event with Ministers Crossley Tatui and Sauni Togatule. Also in attendance this year is the Speaker of the Fono Ekepule, Hima Takelesi and veteran politician Terry Coe.

A regular participant in the New Zealand High Commission and this year deputy high commissioner Nigel Ewels was there with the Australian high commissioner Susan Allen at her first St. Joseph’s Penina Christmas lunch.

Father Taliai Hausia, Sister Siena and Sister Peta on behalf of the St. Joseph’s church and the supporters of the event extend their good wishes for a safe and Merry Christmas to everyone and especially to our tupunas.