'austraLasia' #617
TIMOR LESTE: SALESIAN BROTHERS GATHERING CAPPED WITH PERPETURAL PROFESSION:
LOS PALOS (Timor Leste): June 20-23 -- For three days, brothers from the different houses in Indonesia and Timor Leste gathered for some days of sharing and planning in the Salesian Agricultural School of Fuiloro. The green pastures and cool climate was conducive for these moments of mutual enrichment and discussion.
The first day was begun by Father Andrew Wong (provincial). He shared with the nine Salesian brothers several points from the GC25, including the virtues of Blessed Artimide Zatti. Later, at night after two clerics renewed their vows, members of the other communities joined in celebrating the 78th birthday of the pioneer missionary, Brother Jose Ribeiro. Born in Fatima-Portugal, he first arrived in Timor in 1945.
The second day was spent on discussion relevant points on the formation of the Salesian Brothers. The Speaker was Father Ramoncito Padilla, the present novice master and member of the formation commission of the vice province. Considering the later points of the revised ratio, a number of recommendations and proposals have been made.
The last day was a kind of brainstorming on the strategies for vocation promotion and various ideas on how the brochures, pamphlets and slide shows may better depict the role and the vocation of the Salesian Brother. The rest of the day was spent in preparing for the perpetual profession ceremony. Those present during the three days were four perpetually professed brothers and four with temporary vows. Two other senior brothers could not attend due to health reasons while four young ones are out of the country because of their studies.
June 24 2002 - The Feast of the Birth of John the Baptist was the occasion of the Perpetual Profession of Bro. Adriano de Jesus, SDB. Before the Mass started, he and his family made a procession till the front of the parish church of Lospalos and in their traditional way entrusted him to the Salesian Society. Representatives from the different Salesian communities including the students and parents were present. All who attended the religious profession ceremony were invited for a good lunch and a cultural presentation in the Salesian orphanage of Lospalos. Bro Adriano has also a younger sister who has joined the FMA
