2019-08-07 PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Bertrand Webster

Bertie died unexpectedly at 4 o'clock in the afternoon of the 18th of September in Madang, PNG. The cause of death was complications due to a bowel obstruction.

He was buried at the cemetery of Bomana Seminary in Port Moresby on Thursday the 24th. After a memorial mass on Monday with the students and staff of Divine Word University the Brothers of the Madang community accompanied the body to Port Moresby.

The funeral was held at 10 o'clock on Thursday morning at St Joseph’s Boroko. The liturgy was led by Fr Justin Ratsi SM; an ex- student of Bert’s and was concelebrated by Fr Ben Hiss, Fr Francis Kigina and Fr Stephen Lugabai all from Bougainville. The homily was delivered by Fr Justin and the eulogy by Br Ken McDonald. Ex-students from Bert’s time on Bougainville and their families prepared the liturgy including the choir.

The burial celebrated his life with stories, symbols and traditional practices. All the ceremonies associated with Bert's death wonderfully celebrated his connection with and love of the people of PNG. It gave the Brothers, Bert's friends and ex-students time to tell stories about their relationship with him and to give thanks for an extraordinary life.

By Ken McDonald, Tony D’Arbon and Ray Arthur

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