Renewing family ties

The descendants of a Catholic Catechist gathered at the end of January this year to mark a very special get together – a family reunion.

The event was an opportunity for the children, and grandchildren of the late Reverend Mikaele Fa’ata’ape-upu-olefaleao FK and the late Etevise Mikaele Toluono [nee Asuao Tofaeono] to gather together to renew family ties.

The theme for week-long event was “Live your Catholic faith and know your roots”. The ninth child of the couple, Mulipola Tiufea Asuao Lupematasila Peato Mikaele said the get-together happened at the family’s residence at Manono uta where their parents are buried.

Mulipola said his father hails from the villages of Vailoa, Fa’ala Palauli, Vaimoso, Apolima, Manono, Matautu Falelatai, Siufaga Falelatai and Lepa. He was the son of Toluono Isaako and Savelina Lealaitagomoa from Siufaga, Falelatai.

His mother was from Vaiee Safata, Lotofaga, Matatufu Aleipata and Siumu. She was the daughter of the late Rev. Vitale Asuao Tofaeono FK of Siumu and Ana Tuiā Tupu from Vaiee and Lotofaga Aleipata. It was a week-long event full of activities from the beginning to the end, he said.

“The programme contained various activities such as a family tree presentation, Catholic history-faith and teaching presentations and sports activities which were conducted in groups.”

“Aiga ile Tai” captained by Lealaitagomoa Asuao Felise Mikaele, ‘Laumosooi’ captained by Taupaū Mata’afā Tuu’u Lafaele Mikaele and ‘U’amea aasa’ captained by Mulipola Asuao Tiufea Lupematasila Peato Mikaele.

“It was planned two years ago by our children with the helping hands of their parents in New Zealand and Australia in fundraising.”

Mulipola confirmed his parents had 14 children. Unfortunately only 11 were able to attend the get together. As children and grandchildren of the late Catholic Church Catechist, the event kicked off with the celebration of the Holy Mass at their home, followed by a traditional welcome ava ceremony.

“We are a devout Catholic family and always in our hearts - to follow our parents’ footsteps and teaching of the Church until the end of time,” said Mulipola.

“As such, the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass should always be the priority before anything else.”

Since the reunion programme started off with a Holy Mass, the family ended the special gathering with another thanksgiving Mass with gifts being presented for the Malotau Church.

It is the spiritual side of our being that is very important to us, he said. “It is a reminder to our children how to live the Catholic faith our parents had taught us.”

“Father Lui Sanele of the Malotau Parish in his homily said ‘Reunions are very important family events. It is for you and your children to get to know each othre; cousins, aunts, uncles, parents and great grandparents and to be informed of your roots’.”

Mulipola further quoted Fr Sanele’s sermon, “I have talked with Rev Deacon Kasiano Leaupepe and asked him about the late Rev Mikaele and Etevise’s service to the church and Deacon said, Mikaele and Etevise were committed to serving God through their provision of catechism to Catholics for so many years. Their faith and love of God was extraordinary, unimaginable and indescribable and they never gave up until God called them home”.

“You, the children and grand children are to think about it and discuss amongst yourselves during the course of your reunion. “Pray indefatigably to God for HIS Mercy, forgiveness amongst yourselves and guidance in your pilgrimage like what Mikaele and Etevise did.

You have to maintain that Catholic faith within the Mikaele family and follow their footsteps; Hear God’s calling within your hearts” Father Lui advised. A traditional “aliitaeao and usu fa’aaloalo” welcome ava ceremony followed for grandchildren to see and understand our tradition because about 80% of the grandchildren grew up overseas with some of them part palagi and part Maori.

They were very interested and many were asking us questions about the ava ceremony and other Samoan traditional preparations, Mulipola said. Preparation of traditional umu, ato weaving and family visits were amongst the other activities.

Finally, a beach picnic and a ‘round the island’ tour to wrapped up the reunion. For a family full of talents, some singing entertainments [live and karaoke] were also provided at the big party at the end of the reunion.

All agreed it was a success and the next reunion will be held in Auckland in December 2016. “We all look forward to meeting everyone and especially new grandchildren and new aufaipaolo in 2016,” Mulipola said.