NOAA’s OFFICE OF NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES LAUNCHES VIRTUAL DIVE GALLERY

Can’t get over to your National Marine Sanctuaries? Thanks to the wonders of 360-degree photography and virtual reality, these underwater treasures now are as close as the tip of your fingers.

According to a media release from Vernon Smith, National Media Coordinator for the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, “NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has just launched a virtual dive gallery http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/vr/ accessible on any computer or mobile device, complete with immersive 360-degree views of five national marine sanctuaries: American Samoa, Florida Keys, Flower Garden Banks, Gray’s Reef, and Thunder Bay.”

Click here http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/news/may17/virtual-dives.html to learn more.

ASSEMBLY OF GOD OPENS NEWEST CHURCH IN VAILOA

Members of the Assembly of God Church in Vailoa celebrated the opening of their new church a week ago yesterday.

The ceremony was presided over by Rev. Elder Joe Hunkin, Jr. who leads the Light House Outreach Center Assembly of God Church in the Aloha State. The Vailoa Church becomes the 18^th Assembly of God Church location in the territory.

Samoa News understands that construction commenced with only $10,000 which was a donation from an individual in Alabama.

It only took four months for the job to be fully completed with a price tag of about $130,000

Those who spoke to Samoa News expressed their gratitude to Tuiasina Dr. Salamo Laumoli for his efforts in getting the work underway and seeing it through to the end.

The special guest during the opening ceremony was 94-year-old Faoa Hunkin, Pastor Joe’s mother.

CATHOLIC CHURCH CELEBRATES 100th ANNIVERSARY OF FATIMA APPARITION

This past Saturday, hundreds of faithful Catholics in the territory gathered at the Fatu-o-Aiga Cathedral in Tafuna to celebrate a special mass, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Fatima apparition in Portugal.

According to teachings of the Catholic Church, the apparition featured a woman dressed in all white, “brighter than the sun,” making an appearance to three children: Lucia (10), Francisco (8), and Jacinta (6) and telling them that she was the “Angel of Peace” and they needed “not to be afraid.”

Roman Catholic belief says when the eldest of the trio asked the woman where she came from, she answered: “from heaven.”

The woman instructed the children to pray the Rosary every day and during the final apparition, she revealed herself as the “Lady of the Rosary.” The apparition took place during World War I.

“She wore a white mantle edged with gold and held a rosary in her hand and asked them to pray and devote themselves to the Holy Trinity, and to say the Rosary every day, to bring peace to the world and an end to the war,” says 206tours.com

“Our Lady revealed that the children would suffer, especially from the unbelief of their friends and families, and that the two younger children, Francisco and Jacinta would be taken to Heaven very soon but Lucia would live longer in order to spread her message and devotion to the Immaculate Heart. In the last apparition she revealed her name in response to Lucia’s question: ‘I am the Lady of the Rosary’.”

“That same day, 70,000 people had turned out to witness the apparition following a promise by Our Lady that would show the people that it was true. They all saw the sun make three circles, and zig-zag across the sky.”

Millions of faithful Catholics worldwide joined in the celebration over the weekend, which also celebrated the canonization of Franciso and Jacinta, two of the three children who witnessed the apparition. Locally, the different parishes from the Diocese of Samoa Pago Pago came together for a special mass that ended around noon this past Saturday.

APPLICATIONS FOR SANCTUARY ADVISORY COUNCIL DUE MAY 31^st

Applications for those interested in being part of the Sanctuary Advisory Council are due on May 31^st. Applicants being recruited include those who want to fill the ocean recreation/ocean-centered ecotourism and Swains Island seats.

Apulu Veronika Molio'o Mata'utia Mortenson, the Outreach, Communications Coordinator & Community Liaison for the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, reminds all interested applicants that “these seats are on a voluntary basis, meaning, there is no monetary compensation.”

An announcement from the NMSAS says, “The council ensures public participation in sanctuary management and provides advice to the sanctuary superintendent.”

“The members of our advisory council represent extremely important sectors of our community,” said Gene Brighouse, sanctuary superintendent. “Their input, experience and expertise assist the sanctuary in making informed and timely decisions on how to best manage our cultural and ocean resources.”

Candidates are selected based on their expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying, community and professional affiliations, and views regarding the protection and management of marine resources. Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve a three-year term.

“The sanctuary advisory council was established to ensure continuous public participation in the management of the sanctuary. The council’s 17 voting members and eight non-voting members serve on a volunteer basis and represent a variety of local user groups, the general public, and territorial and federal governmental jurisdictions.”

Contact Joseph Paulin, 684-633-6500 ext. 226 for an application kit or download it from <http://americansamoa.noaa.gov. >