Baucau, Timor-Leste, 30 December 2019 -- Every year, the Salesians of the vice-province of Timor-Leste come together to celebrate province day after Christmas day. This year’s celebration was held in the Salesian community of Baucau. The celebration lasted for two days. On 27 December, the provincial, members of the provincial council, rectors, others in charge of a community, and commission and sector heads came together to have an evaluation of the pastoral activities for the year of 2019. The meeting began at 9 am at the meeting hall of Baucau Community. The evaluation meeting was led by the provincial Fr. Apolinario Maria Ornai Neto, SDB. Each sector head was asked to present their pastoral activities during the year 2019. Then, the floor was opened for clarifications, interventions and discussions. Everything was carried out in the brotherly spirit. The meeting terminated at 20:00 Timor-Leste’s time.
On 28 December 2019, at 9:30 a.m. all the Salesians who are now in the vice-province gathered in the meeting hall of the Escola Secundária St. António Baucau. Then, a conference on the Strenna of the Rector Major for 2020, on the theme of Good Christians and Upright Citizens was given by Fr. Rolando Fernandez, SDB. It was really a very inspiring and impressive talk given by Fr. Rolly. Then, followed by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist celebrated by Archbishop Virgilio do Carmo da Silva SDB, who participated in the province day as well.
After the Mass all the Salesians gathered in the canteen of the school. The program began with the official announcement by the superior of the vice province regarding new assignments and confreres who will be transferring into various communities for 2020. Then, a sumptuous lunch was served. The province day celebration was really done in the family spirit and fraternal sharing among the confreres.
