For the Congregation of Holy Cross, 27 July and 10 August 2025 were historic and joyful days, as its missionaries accepted pastoral responsibility for two parishes in the Diocese of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea. The parishes in Tinputz and in Hantoa are the foundation of the Congregation’s Holy Family Mission, its newest international mission.

“The ceremonies to mark our official reception into the two parishes and the life of the diocese were simple,” said Fr. Thomas John, C.S.C., Superior of the Holy Family Mission, “yet we could feel the energy in the air around, we could see the joy on the people's faces, and we could experience their hearts longing for our presence with them. We, too, are excited just like the seventy-two disciples who were sent out to bring the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The first of the two installations took place at Sacred Heart Parish in Tinputz. Given the devotion of Blessed Basile Moreau, the Congregation's Founder, to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the missionaries saw the hand of Divine Providence in the fact that the first parish that the Congregation officially received in Papua New Guinea is dedicated to the Heart of Jesus.

Fr. Louis Lobosi, the outgoing Pastor, presided at the Mass to receive the Holy Cross community into the parish. At the end of the Mass, Fr. Lobosi handed over the keys to the parish to Fr. Amalraj, C.S.C., who is the first Holy Cross Pastor.

The other members of the Holy Cross community in Tinputz at this time are Br. Francis Afeletey, C.S.C., Director of the Community, and Fr. Emmanuel Agaba, C.S.C., Assistant Pastor.

The second installation was at Christ the King Parish in Hantoa. This time, Most Rev. Dariusz Kaluza, MSF, Bishop of the Diocese of Bougainville, presided at the Mass. In addition to welcoming the Holy Cross community, he installed Fr. Boneventure Lobo, C.S.C., as the first Holy Cross Pastor.

Read more about the work of Holy Cross in Papua New Guinea

Joining Fr. Lobo in Hantoa are Br. John Agyemang Amponsah, C.S.C., and Fr. John, who in addition to being the Superior of the Holy Family Mission overall, also leads this local community.

The Congregation’s pioneering missionaries had actually arrived in Bougainville back in March 2025. They spent their first three months in an immersion and inculturation experience, living with local clergy and religious in two parish communities in Buka Town and Buin. This was a way for them to become familiar with the local language and culture, as well as the people whom they would be serving.

According to Fr. John, it was time well spent: “Our observation period has given us lots of insights and inspirations to regulate and prioritize our apostolic commitment.”

Fr. John singled out the faith that the missionaries have experienced among the people of Bougainville.

“It is overwhelming to see that all the churches and Eucharistic centers overflow with faithful on Sundays. The sight of people walking long distances to participate in the Sunday liturgy is something that is heartwarming. It, in fact, inspires us, too,” he said.

Fr. John also highlighted the “vibrancy and confidence” of the youth as well as the “strong sense of Catholic identity” in the Catholic schools. At the same time, in these areas, he saw opportunities for the Congregation’s brothers and priests to serve with their charism as Educators in the Faith.

“A well-designed educational program will enhance [the youth’s] developmental work and positive orientation towards life in the future,” said Fr. John. “As our Founder, Blessed Basile Moreau, said, ‘The mind will not be cultivated at the expense of the heart.’ We want to install a spirituality that is vibrant and life-promoting.”

The Congregation’s Holy Family Mission in Papua New Guinea was officially announced on 15 November 2023 by Br. Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C., Superior General, following its approval by the Council of the Congregation. That decision was the culmination of a yearlong discernment process that had begun with conversations with the Dicastery for Evangelization in November 2022 to ask where Holy Cross might best serve the needs of the Church.

Now, over a year and a half later, with the pioneering missionaries finally installed in their parish communities in Tinputz and Hantoa, it is time to get to work bringing hope.

“In our efforts to discern and discover the designs of the divine, we are strengthened by the prayerful support of the confreres across the continents and countries. Let us move onward,” said Fr. John.