austraLasia

Venilale Center ASC is growing with the young

Venilale, Timor Leste, 1 May 2018 -- Three years ago was officialy established the second Center of Salesian Cooperartors of Timor Leste in Venilale. This small town in the highlands with strong Salesian (SDB - FMA - ADMA - Don Bosco Alumni) presence has many Salesian schools and 16 chapels in the mountain parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus was started in 1988.

During their meeting with the Extraordinary visitor in the chapel of Venilale Pre-aspirantate the 19 members shared with Fr. Klement their path and future dreams. First group of 10 ASC made their promise after 5 years journey in 2015 and second group of 9 members after 4 years journey in February 2018 in front of the Rector Major Fr. Angel in Dili. Most of them are experienced senior teachers with a significant handful of five young teachers and educators, majority of them are committed to their daily school apostolate in public schools as 'lay missionaries' among hundreds of young.

After brief sharing of their short history, life and mission of their Center and watching one short Salesian Family video and Message of the Rector Major with the translation by their Delegate, Fr. Jose de Sa (Rector of Venilale) the Cooperators listen to three point of the EAO regional councilor sharing about Communion (communication, supporting each other at the Timor, EAO and World level), Identity (Cooperators of God with the heart of Don Bosco) and Mission (Without poor young people any Salesian Cooperator can't go to heaven).

Most of the questions and experience sharing during the open forum echoed the daily mission of the Cooperators in the schools. Most of them are deeply concerned with the strong impact of the globalized culture, invading also East Timor through the internet and social media: How can we prevent the bad impact and foster a good use of these modern communication tools? How can enter the digital world of the young people? What kind of formation for the Salesian Cooperator who interact with some FB addicted youth in their schools? Also prayer to Mary Help of Christians helps some youth to overcome some digital temptations...

Among the 19 members only 9 are using the Facebook, Whatsapp or Email. At the end of the day after listening to variety of sharing, the participants realized the need of their own digital literacy and continous educative relationship with their students. Some of them are principals of public schools, teachers in Salesian schools or even assistant in the SDB Aspirantate.