austraLasia #2798
 
Sumba, Indonesia's 'Valdocco'

WEEPANGALI, (Sumba): 4 February 2011 -- Don Bosco's feast day is over and after a day of prayer for the deceased Salesian confreres, the 8 novices in Weepangali, Sumba began their mid-year retreat with the Feast of the Presentation. The novices will miss the Sumba Community, the "Valdocco" of Indonesia, for some days.
    Days before the solemnity of St John Bosco, the 9 Salesians and 8 novices had already drummed up small festivities among the young people of the village and the boarders at the Training Centre. A Sunday Bazaar was held for the oratory children of the village in the afternoon while a cultural-musical presentation was held in the evening with items from the children, youth, novices and boarders at the training centre. Special soccer games and a "Don Bosco Quiz" were held for the boaders. All this was complemented by a spiritual preparation consisting of novena prayers and the Triduum Masses for Don Bosco.
    The feast day itself was attended by the FMA sisters, priests, religious, benefactors and the laity. Unfortunately the Bishop and the Mayor could be present, so Fr. Joseph Ola, SDB, the rector of the house, welcomed the Diocesan Vicar General and the Mayor's wife who came for the Solemn Mass, drama presentation and the sumptuous dinner.
    Sumba is the only Salesian presence in Indonesia with a parochial chapel, a boarding house, a Training Centre, a Festive Oratory and a formation house. That is why this community can be considered as the "Valdocco" of Indonesia. It has almost all the elements for experiencing Salesian apostolate. While Indonesia is predominantly Islamic, some islands have a good number of Christians where religious activities can be carried out without difficulty. So, just like in the times of Don Bosco, here in Sumba, catechism is taught in the oratory, and during the soccer games the Salesians are present in the field. During Sunday Vespers for boarders or during the evening novena prayers, the boys spontaneously go to confession. We are blessed with the opportunity to make Don Bosco alive again in this part of the world.
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