By TLS SocCom Team

Maumali-Maliana-Bobonaro, Timor-Leste, 3 March 2024 -- From 27-29 February, the Regional Councillor for the EAO Region, Rev. Fr Joseph Phuoc, SDB, arrived in Maliana for the Extraordinary Visitation to the newest Salesian community of Timor-Leste Province which is in the western part of Timor-Leste, namely, Don Bosco Maumali-Maliana. The visitation took place over three days in this community. Fr Joseph, on the first day of his visit, was welcomed by Salesians with students and teachers of the Don Bosco-Maumali Technical High School with the staff and Salesian family. He was welcomed with songs performed by the students and the Salesians and continued with the welcoming speech from Fr Albino Fernandes, SDB, the vice-rector of the community who represented the Educative and Pastoral community: Salesians, teachers, staff, students, and other lay collaborators. In his welcoming speech, Fr Albino, joyfully and gratefully, said that the presence of the leader or Salesian superior in one community is not only the presence of the living Don Bosco to the community but also the living presence of loving God among the people. It means that the presence of Fr. Joseph is both the presence of the living Don Bosco and loving God in the community of Don Bosco Maumali-Maliana. The vice-rector of the community says: "Father, your presence is most important for us. Because your presence is our joy." He hoped that the extraordinary visit might become a successful and fruitful mission for all people and that merciful God bless and grant many graces to the Father Regional to be faithful in his vocation and fruitful in his holy mission.

The main intention of the extraordinary visit to this community, clarified by Fr Joseph Phuoc, is to express and realize the communion between the Rector Major and the provinces and local communities.

After lunch, Fr Phuoc had a meeting with the community's house council and continued the personal talk with Salesian members of the community. During the extraordinary visit, Fr. Phuoc also had meetings with teachers, lay collaborators, and students in this local community. It was realized through various activities; such as meetings, personal talks, masses, good night talks, and visitations. Through his listening and meetings, the Salesians, students, and lay collaborators were inspired and enthusiastic to welcome him and hopefully, they can be happy and blessed through this Extraordinary visit.

This community currently has five confreres under the leadership of Fr. Agapito Alfredo Ximenes, SDB, as Rector and main principal responsibility of the community with two perpetual confreres: Fr. Albino Fernandes, SDB, and Bro. Marçal Amaral Lopes, SDB, as the Economer of the community and the Principal of the School; and with two other practical trainees: Cl. Venancio da Costa, SDB, and Cl. Nicson Gonçalves de Jesus, SDB. This school, 2024, has 106 students and 18 teachers with nine other lay collaborators to run and work in the holy mission of God.

The Extraordinary visit ended with the morning eucharistic celebration, which was presided over by Fr Phuoc, SDB. In his homily, he encouraged the assembly to be a bridge, not to be a wall. Christians are called not to divide but to unite the people. He added that it would be realized through the dedicated and humble Christians and Salesians who work and make this aim become a reality, which is to make the young people become holy Christians and honest citizens.

We hope and pray that the Extraordinary Visit may be a blessing and a moment of renewal of the minds and hearts of the Salesians and young people with the mind of Jesus and Don Bosco, Father, teacher, and friends of the young people.

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