25/02/2026
> **"GRATULATIONES PATER IOHANNES PRO VOCATIONE TUA SACERDOTALI."**
Leitre Village is approximately 45 km east of Vanimo town and about 75 km from the PNG-Indo Border. The people of Leitre are peace-loving people, as many other villages of the West Sepik Province.
The Catholic Missionary establishment of a parish base station back in the early 1950s plays a vital and significant role, thus far, to the Leitre people and other villages in its catchment vicinity in the provision of basic services. Particularly: Education, Health, Communication, and Transport.
The village is accessible by land and through the open sea by speed boat (dinghy) and by sailing on dugout outrigger canoes (previous by air, which takes only 15 minutes). It takes an hour by boat, while by dugout outrigger canoes it could take a full day or a day and a half. Meanwhile, by walking, it would be eight hours, which is equivalent to a day, following the beautiful sandy beaches, the seashore and crossing rivers.
Today, 8th December 2023, we, all the faithful people of Leitre (Leitre, Onei, Puare, Poko, Onip, and Rawo), have all the reasons to be thankful to God and give all glory and honor to Him, for He has chosen the first harvest from the many He has called. Let us all celebrate this great joy and pray that God will bless us with many more young men and women who will faithfully respect and respond to His call.
Thanks be to God, He has prepared us for over 70 years down the generation lane. Finally, a generous heart from the many called has willingly responded to the great vocation of priesthood!
**GRATULATIONES PATER IOHANNES PRO VOCATIONE TUA SACERDOTALI. **(Congratulations Father Joel for your priesthood vocation). God calls you, and He will always be with you! Be strong and remain faithful to his call. My prayers and support for you!!
Bikpla tok amamas na tenk yu tru long olgeta famili na Kristen komuniti blong Leitre olgeta long sapot na prea blong yupla. God iharim, na nau Em i bekim karai blong mipla. Tasol, wok blong yumi ino pinis, Pater Joel em i nidim prea na sapot blong yumi olgeta!
Let us continue to support him and pray for more vocation to Priests, Brothers, Sisters and Catechists.
Joel Kinu, Congrats Padre, God be with you!
God bless us all!
