Kansas Friars in PNG
Mid-America has three of our own friars working in Papua New Guinea. In addition, Fr.David Songy travels to PNG each summer to do psychological testing for candidates who apply for admission to the Order and to various dioceses. The picture below was taken in late November 2010, shortly after the Vice Province held its Chapter and elected Mid-America’s Fr. Peter Meis to be the new Vice-Provincial. I attended that Chapter as part of my triennial visit to the mission. Pictured here are the “Kansas” friars: left to right - Jonathan Williams (from the St. Augustine Province) from Atwood; Charles Polifka (Mid-America Provincial) from Hays; Steve Reichert (new Archbishop of Madang) from Leoville; Don Debes frin Odin. Seated is Peter Meis from Catherine. The picture was taken in the Vice Provincial's office in the friary in Mendi, Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea.