A Mass was offered Thursday at the Church of the Holy Cross in Leone before the church is demolished to make way for a new house of worship for the parish of Leone.
Bishop Kolio Etuale Tumanuvao officiated at the Mass, which was attended by Leone chiefs and pastors of different denominations and catechists and priests who had served at the Leone Parish.
In his homily, Bishop Kolio—who was the parish priest for Leone for many years and led fundraisers for the new church building—reminded parishioners that just as important as building a house of the Lord, is ministering to the people of God who are the church.
The Chairman of the Leone, Parish Faiivae Alex Iuli, said this was the second church for the Leone parish since the arrival of the first Catholic Missionaries. It was built in 1960 and renovated in 1989.
He said it was a tradition laid down by ancestors that the Leone Congregational Christian Church and Catholic Church help each other on the construction of new churches. And this will be continued with the new church project.
A moment of silence was observed for parishioners who contributed to the construction of the church that will be demolished.
Faiiave also announced that the new Leone Catholic Church will be built by Nana’s Company, which had representatives at the Mass yesterday.
From now on until the new church is completed and dedicated, the Leone Parish will hold their Masses at the church hall.
