By Manuel J.C. Da Silva, ACS

Dili, Timor Leste - Communion and Autonomy: These are two key words for the growth of the Association of the Salesian Cooperators in 21st century. Also in Timor Leste, with the first center of Salesian Cooperators in Dili the responsibility for the growth of the Association is shouldered by the ACS local council members. At present there is in Dili one well working local center council with both SDB and FMA delegates, constantly growing in membership, quality formation, apostolic commitment and autonomy of animation.

Constant growth of the Salesian Cooperators in Timor Leste is confirmed by official foundation of the second local center in Venilale - next June 28, 2015. First center in Dili feels also responsible for the growth of Salesian Cooperators vocation in the whole country. At present there are eight communities of SDB and seven communities of FMA in this nation of one million of population with thousands of lay people involved in the Salesian mission in the schools, parishes and social works. Other centers foundation might follow in near future in Dili (FMA), Baucau, Los Palos and Laga.

The town of Venilale is located at 200 km distance from the capital. Local parish with many villages scattered in this mountain area is entrusted since 1990 to the Salesians. At the center there is a Junior Aspirantate of Blessed Philip Rinaldi with 150 boys, students of grade 7-9. Near to the Parish Church there are also two FMA communities with an orphanage, vocational training center for girls, FMA Aspirantate and small clinic.

Since last 2011 a group of parishioners started their journey of Salesian Cooperators, assisted recently every 3 months by the ‘mother center’ of Dili for their formation. The formation sessions were of 10 basic units: History of Salesian Congregation SDB and  FMA Sisters Congregation, Christian spiritual life, Salesian family, Life of St. Mary Mazarello, Youth Ministry, Mariology, Holy Scripture, Family and Preventive system of Don Bosco. During the whole process the Project of Apostolic Life (PAL) – Statutes and Regulations was commented. The group was accompanied by the SDB delegate and Rector Fr. Jose de Sa and FMA directress Sr. Floriana da Costa.

According the PAL – Regulations, Art. 18 the potential members before their promise on June 28 will present to SDB Provincial Fr. Virgilio da Silva their ‘Petition to form a new Center’. After the consent of Fr. Provincial the ‘Decree for Establishment’ of Venilale Center will be issued. The whole process is closely followed also by the World Councilor for the EAO, Mr. Philip Yu (2014-2020), based in Hong Kong-China.