BLESSED ROSALIE RENDU COMMUNITY
PNG MISSION CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ALOTAU-SIDEIA
Our History, Identity, Mission, and Members
Blessed Rosalie Rendu Community – Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul Diocese of Alotau-Sideia, Papua New Guinea
The Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul arrived in Papua New Guinea on 9 January 2019, responding to the invitation of Bishop Rolando C. Santos, CM, DD.
Their mission: to actively participate in the Diocese’s work of Evangelization through the Education Ministry at Sacred Heart Secondary School – Hagita and Pastoral Service at St. Paul Pastoral Center.
The community was formally established by Sr. Maria Rosario G. Evidente, DC, Visitatrix of the Province of St. Louise de Marillac – Asia, and named in honor of Blessed Rosalie Rendu, a Daughter of Charity known for her deep compassion and respectful service to the poor.
• Sr. Roberta Simbajon, DC – Sister Servant
• Sr. Conception Gabatino, DC – Pioneer Sister
• Sr. Rosalie Fe Mangarin, DC – Pioneer Sister
Inspired by Blessed Rosalie’s example of walking with God and loving the poor with dignity, the Province later missioned:
• Sr. Lily Ventura, DC
• Sr. Theresa Thaddeus John, DC
The sisters live by Blessed Rosalie’s timeless counsel:
“If you want someone to love you, you must be the first to love; and if you have nothing to give, give yourself.”
The Blessed Rosalie Rendu Community continues to serve the Diocese through:
• Education Ministry:
One sister serves full-time as a Catholic Religious Education teacher at Sacred Heart Secondary School – Hagita, also coordinating liturgy and spiritual formation. In 2025, she was invited as a guest lecturer at Milne Bay Teachers College.
• Pastoral Ministry:
Two sisters serve at St. Paul Pastoral Center—one as Directress, the other as Program Coordinator, supporting faith formation and community outreach.
Rooted in Vincentian spirituality and the legacy of Blessed Rosalie Rendu, the community remains committed to serving Christ in the poor with humility, love, and joy.
Annual Catechist Formation and Priest Retreat
This sacred gathering brings together catechists and clergy for a time of renewal, reflection, and spiritual formation. Held at the Center and graciously organized by Sr. Betty, DC, the retreat fosters unity and deepens the shared mission of faith. The serene setting invites participants to reconnect with their calling, strengthen community bonds, and prepare for the journey ahead with renewed purpose.
Sr. Betty’s Missionary Outreach to Remote Villages
Sr. Betty faithfully serves all the parishes in our region, extending her pastoral care through regular visits to remote villages. Her primary mission is to conduct formation sessions for members of the Christian Community Catechists (CCC), nurturing their spiritual growth and leadership.
Reaching these communities requires extraordinary commitment. The only available transportation to the far-flung areas is by dinghy. The nearest village takes 2–3 hours to reach by boat, while the most distant island demands a two-day journey across challenging waters. Despite the distance and conditions, Sr. Betty continues to bring the light of formation and faith to those who need it most.
School Grounds
School Chapel
Examination Hall/Mess Hall
Vocation Awareness for Grade 12 Graduates
As our Grade 12 students prepare to transition beyond the classroom, we recognize the diverse paths that await them. While many are excited to pursue higher education, others—due to financial or personal circumstances—will return to their home villages.
To support these young people in discerning their future, we offer vocation awareness programs, including search-in retreats and guided activities. These moments of reflection and encounter invite them to explore their calling—whether in religious life, service, or other meaningful vocations—rooted in faith, community, and purpose.
Faith-Centered Engagement in the Classroom
Classroom experiences have revealed that student engagement flourishes more deeply through evangelization-centered activities than through traditional discussion formats.
When students are invited into moments of spiritual reflection, service, and shared witness, their participation becomes more heartfelt and transformative—fostering not only intellectual growth but also spiritual maturity.
Community Meal Sharing for Vincentian Marian Youth
As part of our commitment to holistic formation, we joyfully share meals with the students residing in the dormitory—especially the Vincentian Marian Youth who actively participate in daily Eucharistic celebrations and spiritual formation.
During Vincentian and Marian feast days, we serve comforting meals of arroz caldo and macaroni soup with pandesal, offered alternately. These simple yet heartfelt dishes reflect our spirit of unity, gratitude, and care for one another.
