Father Peter’s First Sunday Mass in Arvaiheer

Our people are very happy to have a new priest among us. They had prepared a very simple and beautiful feast to welcome Father Peter back to Arvaikheer on Sunday, November 18th, 2012.  Compared to previous Sundays, many people came on that day knowing that there was a new priest celebrating.

It was good because they knew him as a brother and then deacon who was preparing for the priesthood. The children were always asking about him and wanting to know when he was going to return.  In fact, our children were praying for his quick return.  One day, Father Daniele mentioned that Father Peter had just been ordained. The people were very happy and prayed all the more for him.

The Mass was very simple. People were happy and participated well. The majority were children. Before Mass, Perleema’s niece performed a skit thanking God for calling Father Peter to the priesthood.  She invited everybody to participate with joy. 

After Mass, the community gave Father Peter a stole and Mongolian dress shirt as a gift.  Those gifts were handmade by our local women.  Much to his surprise, Bold and his brother picked up Father Peter who was sitting on the chair and carried him around the gher to celebrate the moment. 

Several pictures were taken together with the community.

Some of the adolescents, parents and children sang songs and read poetry to mark the occasion.  We then had a very delicious lunch of goat and vegetable soup prepared by our women.  It was a blessed day for all.  Father Peter was very moved by the kindness and love demonstrated to him with the simplicity of our people.

+Sister Gertrudes Vitorino