By SC TLS

Laga, Timor-Leste, 13 June 2024 --On Thursday, 13 June 2024, the TLS Salesian Family joyfully gathered at the Parish of St John Bosco Laga to celebrate the silver jubilee of the religious profession of seven confreres ( there were only six due to the absence of Fr Paulus Rarasta, SDB, who is living in Indonesia vice-province). This gathering of the Salesian Family to witness God’s love and perseverance that has been shown to our confreres Fr Alarico Sarmento, Fr André Belo, Fr Carlos Fernandes, Fr Florentino Gil, Coadjutor Hélder da Conceição Guterres, Fr Paulus Rarasta and Fr Rui Gomes.

On this special occasion, it all started with the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr André Belo together with the concelebrant priests, including the TLS Provincial, Fr Anacleto Pires, sdb, and rectors of the houses. There were also some distinguished guests, in the presence of his excellency Mr Gastão Francisco de Sousa, Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, Provincial of TIN FMA sisters, Sr Evangelina da Costa Xavier, FMA, Salesian sisters of Laga, ADMA, Salesian Cooperators, alumni, aspirants, young people, students and the family of the six jubilarians.

It has been 25 years that God has granted to our confreres various ways and means to experience his love and to persevere in his way and try to show to other people, saying, “It is the Lord!” There have been moments of consolation and desolation as well as moments of joy and challenging ones. Yet, these jubilarians have learned from the experiences of St. Paul and St. Peter in following Jesus. Specifically, they have captured the paradox of their ministry as it happened with the experience of St. Paul in these following verses: “But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor 4:7-9). Within the Mass, the jubilarians had the opportunity to renew their vows as they embarked on their silver jubilee.

Let us continue to be grateful to God and pray for the graces they need as the signs and bearers of God’s love to the young following the path traced by Don Bosco with the help of Our Lady. Congratulations, dear confreres!

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