Missionaries of the Sacred

My first six months were on the mainland parish in Namatanai where I learned the language and customs of the people. After that it was all "island" parishes including Lihir Island group and Tanga Island group - a lot of island parishes for a guy who does not know how to swim.

My idea of being a missionary was "carrying the cross to distant shores." I found out I was mainly a pastor; in one place I was the pastor of four islands, 20 some out-stations, six or eight "primary schools," a vocational school, and a hospital. I was also the banker, the post master, and the guy who ran the largest "trade store" on the island. I was also responsible for coordinating the travels of the 40-foot mission boat as it took the nurses and sisters around the islands, gathered the children traveling to and from the islands to the school, and made the 40 some mile trip over the sea to get supplies and carry trade goods to the mainland.

When I was at the main mission station there was always something that needed to be done. It was when I was on patrol, especially to the back islands, that I felt like a pastor again. On patrol the big works were Mass, confessions, anointing the sick, blessing the graves of those who died, etc. At the main station the big works were fix the boat, order supplies for the store, run the bank, etc.

Fr. John Kavcak, MSC served in Papua New Guinea from 1982 to 1988. When he was on patrol in the back islands the people would drop by after dinner, sit down, visit with him and tell stories.

We invite you to read one of these stories by clicking the link: Stories About the Stars.

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