Timor Leste – Extraordinary Visitation of Fr Joseph Phuoc

04 March 2024

(ANS – Dili) – The Regional Councillor for East Asia-Oceania Region, Father Joseph Nguyen Phuoc, SDB, representing the Rector-Major, is carrying out the Extraordinary Visitation to Timor Leste Vice-Province of Saint Callistus Caravario.

From 24 to 26 February 2024, the Regional Councillor stayed in the community of St John Bosco CENTEC in Dili. He arrived at 8.00 am and was welcomed by the Salesians, the Lay Mission Partners, students, and the aspirants. Rector of the community, Fr Hermenegildo Pereira, SDB, welcomed the Regional Councillor and presented the history of the work of the Salesians for youth. The Regional Councillor also had the opportunity to address his introductory words to the Salesians, Lay Mission Partners, and the young people. He emphasized the nature of the Extraordinary Visitation, which he carried out on behalf of the Rector Major of the Salesians, and requested all the participants to pray for a meaningful and fruitful visit.

Three events coincided with his visit to the CENTEC community. The first event was the feast day of Saint Louis Versiglia and Saint Callistus Caravario. As the main celebrant and homilist, Fr Phuoc invited the educative and pastoral community of DB CENTEC to imitate the zeal, self-offering, and martyrdom of these two Salesian protomartyrs. In special way, he mentioned the life and work of Saint Callistus Caravario, who once lived in Timor-Leste way back in 1927. Because of his love for God and for the young people, Callistus left his home country and went to mission lands and later on died as a martyr.

The second event was the basketball championship games in honor of St John Bosco and Saint Callistus Caravario, the patron saint of the Vice-Province. He was present at the award ceremony and was able to give a short address on behalf of the Rector Major. Lastly, the bi-annual meeting of DB Tech ASEAN was held. Fr Phuoc had the opportunity in the opening session of the meeting to emphasize the importance of networking for a better service in our TVET centres, mostly in ASEAN countries. During his three-day visit, the Regional Councillor had the opportunity to have personal talks with the Salesians and dialogue with the lay collaborators, the volunteers, and the young people.

On the last day in CENTEC, the Regional Councillor convened a meeting with the Rector and the members of the House Council to present his assessment of the work of the Salesians and to make some recommendations for this religious and apostolic community. He also held a final meeting with all community members to present his assessment and recommendations on behalf of the Rector Major.

From 27-29 February, the Regional Councillor, stayed 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 Regional to be faithful in his vocation and fruitful in his holy mission.

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 Visitation to Maliana 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.

On 2 March 2024, Fr Phuoc officially started his visitation in Dom Bosco Lospalos, where he  will be staying till 4 March. In the atmosphere of love and care the Salesian Family together with the Pre-Novices, orphanages, lay collaborators, SYM Animators, Altar Servers, Parish Council of St. Paul Lospalos, parish categorial groups (Apostolado da Oração, Dei Verbum, Leigos Canossianos, Charismatic Group, Readers and others…) welcomed Fr Joseph with Traditional Dance and songs.

The Rector of Salesian Don Bosco Lospalos, Fr Elias de Deus, SDB delivered the welcoming speech full of brotherly care and love. Then, Fr Phuoc delivered his thanksgiving speech in thanking the Salesian, Salesian Family, young people, lay collaborators and all who have warmly welcomed him to the family of Don Bosco to talk to each Salesian, Salesian Family members, and all the groups pertaining to the Salesian Parish of Lospalos and possibly with the local authorities of the place.

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