austraLasia #3075

Fr Wong concludes Extraordinary Visitation in East Timor

DILI: 21 May 2012 --- Fr Andrew Wong, sdb, regional superior for East Asia-Oceania, finished his Extraordinary Visitation to East Timor on 18 May 2012. At the conclusion of this visit, made in the name of the Rector Major, there was a Mass of thanksgiving in the chapel at CENTEC (centro Tecnico- Comoro, Dili) community. Fr Wong presided and members of the Salesian Family were also present. As well as the Provincial, Bishop Hilton Deakin, retired Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne also conclebrated. He was in the country to receive a medal of honour from the Government of East Timor for the part he played in the nation's struggle for independence.

During the visit, which began on 6 April 2012, Fr Andrew Wong was able to visit all eleven Salesian communities in East Timor. He also met members of the Salesian Family and spoke with the Salesians' closest collaborators. Everyone was happy to see Fr Wong again since he had been Provincial in ITM previously. It has been considered amongst the best of the Extraordinary Visitations since Fr Andrew Wong had the opportunity to meet everyone with time to talk with them and since he already knew the culture well and spoke Tetun, East Timor's national language. All of this contributed in no small measure the success of the visit. 

In his final message, the regional superior emphasised the importance of, indeed the fact that nothing can substitute the person of Jesus Christ in the life and activity of each member of the Salesian Family. "Without Jesus we are nothing," Fr Wong said. Jesus is always present in our life one way or another even though at times we do not recognise it.