ADMA Timor Leste, Lenten retreat 2017

By Fr. Manuel da Silva Ximenes, SDB

Lospalos, Timor Leste, 1 April 2017 -- The Association of Devote to Mary Help of Christian (ADMA) Timor Leste gathers together on 31st of March -1st of April 2017 in the Community of Saint Domenic Lospalos for the Lenten retreat in National level. The participants come from the different houses like: Fatumaca, Venilale, Baucau, Dili, Maliana (Kailako), Laga, Quelicai, Vemasse, Bucoli, Fuiloro and Lospalos as a household for this event.

The total participants for this retreat together 305 persons from the different houses which mentioned above. There are also the National president, Maria Fatima Belo, with whole of her National committee includes the National Spiritual animator, Fr. Manuel da Silva Ximenes, Fr. Tomas de Carvalho rector of Lospalos Community, Fr. Jose de Sa, rector of Venilale and also the local animator, Fr. Rolando Fernandez, as a preacher. The preacher is a missionary from the Philippines who already worked in Timor Leste for 34 years.

The same time there are also Salesian sisters like Sr. Sebastiana, vice Provincial, Sr. Ernestina, the local animator, Sr. Sanzinha, from Baucau, Sr. Teresa do Carmo, from Kalilako-Maliana. The first day, 31st of March, the participants arrived in Lospalos at 12 o’colck noon. And at 14:00 suppose to be the first conference but unfortunately some came late because of some reasons and distances, the conference delay until three o’clock. Team for this retreat is in line with the team of the Diocese of Baucau "Comunione Cristo? Vivere come Lui". The conference divides into four parts.

First part is the preacher underline more on the 'VIA CRUCE', The way of the Cross. After the conference the all participants go to the Parish to join the 'Way of the Cross' with the local faithful people and following it Eucharistic celebration. The Mass presided by Fr. Manuel da Silva Ximenes, SDB. After the Mass we start the second part of the conference. For this moment the preacher helps us to reflect on the Gospel of Saint Mathew 4:1-11, about the temptation of Jesus and also the message of the Pope Francis.

The preacher underlined the three elements of temptations which we have encounters in our daily lives. The first element the power, second element is a position and the third is richness. When there is more powerful person, in a good position and rich man there is tendency to take advantage of the poor and the weak people. The first of the spiritual activities we closed with the Eucharistic Adoration in Taize Style in the Parish.

The second day we start with the lauds together in the conference hall. The third conference is on 'Eucharist'. "Eucharist brings us to be united as Christ and His Church. Christ is the head of the Church and as the Church is the body of Christ. Like a host which come from the several wheat which needs to be grinded and it becomes a host. The same as the wine which come from various fruits of grapes to become a good wine which needs to be grinded. For us Christians to become a good Christian who needs to be tasted as wine and bread, we need to make self sacrifices. Knowing how to share our faith how to distribute the jobs to our fellow Christians in the Parish or the communities, so that we work together to show our united in diversity, for this we have to be Communion of Christ, Live like Him". The preacher underlined.

To conclude this retreat with Holy Mass presided by Fr. Manuel da Silva Ximenes in concelebrantion with Fr. Rolando Fernandez, Fr. Jose de Sa, Fr. Tomas de Carvalho.

We thank the good Lord through the intercession of Mary Help of Christians and Saint John Bosco who always accompany each one of the members who return home safely.

The National program for ADMA, as follows March 31-April 1 for Lenten retreat, on May 13th the new members will make their promise in Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Fatumaca, 25th of November Salesian Family day in Dili and on 15-16 December for the Advent retreat will be held in the Parish of Vemasse.

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