austraLasia #3500
  

Retired Salesian Bishop  leads Volunteer Group in East Timor  FATUMACA: August 27, 2014 – Retired Bishop Francis Xavier Mizobe SDB, (79 years old) who was once the ordinary of the Dioceses of Sendai and then later that of Takamatsu in Japan, is now with a group of 12 Japanese volunteers on a 9-day immersion experience at the Salesian Technical School of Fatumaca. Many years ago, Mons. Francis was once the Rector of Salesio Polytechnic (at that time it was called Ikuei Polytechnic) and was also the GIA Provincial before becoming a bishop.  The Rector of Fatumaca, Fr. Virgilio do Carmo SDB had welcomed the bishop and his group with a simple ceremony, giving them the traditional Timorese woven sash as a sign of acceptance and respect. The volunteers come from different Institutions and year levels: 2 are from Kyoto University, 3 from Kwansei Gakuin, 1 from Doshisha, 3 from Salesio Politechnic, 1 from Daito Bunka University and 2 are past-pupils of the Salesio Polytechnic. The group is also on a study tour, learning more about the Japanese presences in East Timor, especially related to the United Nations Organization, the Japanese Embassy and other NGO's -like the Coffee Fair Trade. The group will first help out in constructing the volleyball court to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Fatumaca and then return to Japan on the 4th of September.   Aside from Bishop Francis, there are others among the group who are quite familar to the Salesians of East Timor: Miss Teresa Nao Tsujimura and Mr. Leonardo Ryuji Nishino. Both are past pupils of the Salesio Polytechnic. While still in high school, they had come already as volunteers during their summer break, when Fr. Julien Sleuyter SDB was still handling the volunteer work in East Timor.  Now, Miss Teresa is working in East Timor while Mr. Leonardo is a design instructor in the Salesio Polytechnic.