MM 50 Years Ago

NZ missionary builds up new Suva parish

The new parish at Laucala Bay ... incorporates the new University of the South Pacific. It also includes a primary school run by the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary, the Cathedral Boys’ Secondary School, Corpus Christi Teacher Training College, as well as the Suva Grammar primary and secondary schools.

The Seminary planned by the bishops of the Pacific ... is to be built within the parish boundaries.

Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara

The most prominent parishioner is the present Prime Minister of Fiji, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and his wife, Adi Lady Lala, and five of their eight children. Three of the children are in boarding schools in Auckland.

The first parish priest of the new parish is Fr Peter Carde SM, a 34-year old New Zealander, who gained a wide reputation for himself as a rugby union player before he entered the seminary at Greenmeadows. ... Fr Carde’s capacity for hard work, attention to detail and continual house visits have resulted in his people responding to his enthusiasm and a warm bond is evident between the young priest and his people.