Promise of 9 new Salesian Cooperators in Laga, Timor Leste

By Mr. Manuel Da Silva, ASC

Laga, Timor Leste, 26 December 2017 -- On Sunday November 26th, 2017, Catholic churches around the world celebrate the solemnity of Christ the King. On this solemn liturgical celebration, a group of Salesian Cooperators, based in Laga, the land of Salesian mission in East Timor, officially, for the first time of their history there were 9 new members followed the call to be a Salesian cooperator with their promise.

At the same time established as a new center of the Association of Salesian Cooperators. Those members are most teachers, and local businessmen. All of them married with their families. The Salesian Parish of Laga is one of the most ancient Salesian works in Timor Leste, with dozens of Catholic communities in the town and nearby mountains.

A group of Laga parishioners started their formation three years ago in 2014. At the beginning, there were 31 candidates. During their process of formation, accompaniment, discernment and of decision come to the end with 9 candidates. They are more confident and challenged themselves to be part of the Salesian family as Salesian cooperators. After a long process of preparation they come with a firm decision making to be more Christian in serving young people according to the spirit and mission of Saint John Bosco, the founder.

At the end of their formation and decision, they come out with a petition and the application letter address to the SDB provincial of ITM Vice-Province, Fr Apolinario Maria Ornai Neto. At the end of the process Fr. Provincial, with the recommendations of the Salesian Cooperators (now there are only two centers ASC - in Dili and in Venilale) and with the approval and Decree of establishment for this new Center in Laga district of Timor Leste.

Fr Transfiguração Antonio Pinto, SDB, vice provincial of ITM was present as a main celebrant of Holy Eucharist and representing ITM Provincial to receive a promise of the new 9 members of Salesian Cooperators. Mr. Manuel J.C da Silva, the Coordinator of Dili ASC - Dili Center presented the nine candidates to the vice provincial for the promise.

And then Fr Acacio Domingos de Castro SDB, the provincial delegate for ASC in Timor Leste officially addressed and publicly announced the Decree with the signature of the ASC World Coordinator Ms. Noemi Bertola (attachment).

The first coordinator of Laga Center is Mr Tomas Manuel Correia and with other 3 council members he animates the newly established center.

This Holy Eucharist animated by the ASC choires from Dili. There were many other partecipants in this ceremony, from other ASC Center in Venilale, of Don Bosco Alumni, ADMA members and and local authorities and parishioners.

At the end of this soemn celebration, we continue with the lunch and animated by the band music of National Police of Timor Leste and Juvenil Salesiano Cooperdores (JSC).

We pray, that after the establishment of the third center in our country we may be ready to start the growth of an independent Province of Salesian Cooperators, as foreseen by the PAL (Project of Apostolic Life).

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