“I was happy to meet in Kuching city and rural parishes many local diocesan priests and some religious and to get to know little by little the situation of the local Catholic community,” he says. The warm welcome by the bishops, priests, religious and local lay people was the most encouraging experience of the past month”.
Fr Belo was warmly welcomed by Fr Felix, a native diocesan priest, from whom he came to understand how the Catholics in Sarawak are trying to encounter the Muslim people not only at the level of socio-political relations, but also at the grass-root level, among the ordinary people.
The Salesian missionary was welcomed by both religious and diocesan priests and met the archbishop John Ha, who is working on the necessary documents to invite Fr Belo.
“In dialogue with some parish priests I realized the need for technical education of young Catholics from rural areas, especially welding and automobile skills would be most appreciated and needed. Also a knowledge of English would be very helpful in order to get a job quickly,” he adds. However it's not yet clear if is more realistic to start the Vocation Training Center in the city or in the rural area.
After two weeks staying in rural parishes Fr Belo spent another two weeks in Kuching city, based in St. Joseph’s parish. He had the chance to celebrate Mass, visit the sick in hospitals or care homes as well to visit the migrants from Indonesia. Visiting their houses he was able to know about the difficulties they face in their life. Listening to them, he realized they want to have a regular meeting, sharing, fellowship and Mass.
Observing also the commitment of Catholic lay people in parish life, he talked about Salesian Family especially the Salesian Cooperator vocation; indeed some Catholics were quite interested to know more about this vocation.
“Please, continue to pray for our Malaysia dream and the other members of our future community!” Fr Belo concludes.
