The 150 Anniversary Commemoration Magazine is the work of a Media Committee led by Sister Vitolia Mo'a and was designed and produced by Talamua Media.

It was also printed by Talamua Media with assistance from the New Zealand High Commissioner's Office in Apia.

The magazine highlights SMSM's contribution to education of women who became the country's leaders such the late Masiofo [a female high chief or the wife of a high chief] Lili Tunu Malietoa and Masiofo Noue Tamasese whose husbands were joint Heads of State upon Samoa's Independence in 1962.

It also highlights the Masiofos who were educated by SMSM whose husbands were members of the Council of Deputies such as Akata Fa'anenefu Faumuina, Ida Stowers Vaai, Merevahoi Laaulepona Leavaasa, Imeleta Pula Mataia and Fa'amausili Leinafo Tuimalealiifano.

SMSMs also produced two First Ladies in Gillian Meredith Malielegaoi and the late Pitolua Tofilau Alesana.

The magazine publishes tributes and messages from His Highness the Head of State delivered during the 150 the celebrations, the Archbishop Alapati Mataeliga and leaders of the SMSM worldwide and a pictorial summary of the SMSM 150 years from 1834 to 2014.

Speaking at the launch, Sister Losalia Mulipola, who celebrated 50 years' service as an SMSM missionary in September 2014, acknowledged the hard work of all who put in their time and effort to make the magazine a reality.

Source

• Talamua
• Image: Talamua

Last week when the Missionary Sisters of the Society Mary (SMSM) celebrated its 150th Jubilee Anniversary, it was an opportunity to Sr. Malia to take a trip down memory lane. Continue readaing

He made this promise while delivering the keynote address at the celebration marking 150 years of work by the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary [SMSM] in Samoa.

Tuilaepa announced an immediate gift to the sisters from the government of [Samoan Tala] $20,000.00.

"Every year the government gives $6 million to assist church schools," he said. "It's been done for the past years and the government is also helping by providing free fees for all schools.

"God will also show the way to pay for your teachers if not tomorrow, in another 500 years that will happen."

"We are tested in those ways if we still have people like Sr. Marie de la Merci and Sr. Marie Rose. But that will be discussed this afternoon by Cabinet."

The Head of State and former Marist student, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi led the jubilee march.

He was followed by her Highness, Masiofo Filifilia Tamasese and hundreds of current and old pupils of St. Mary's.

Rita Matafeo, of the S.M.S.M Committee, paid tribute to a school that has raised many national leaders.

"I would say to Samoa, there goes your Prime Minister," she said. "There goes your Chief Justice (Patu Tiava'asue Falefatu Sapolu) and there goes your parliament.

Source

• Samoa Observer
• Image: Samoa Observer/Lanu Tpufia