Paranaque, the Philippines, 21 May 2017 -- Thank so much for various felicitations on my graduation. I intended to ‘mute’ it but thanks to the blessed Face-book it was blown up by the posting of the brothers in Manila. Anyway, the graduation is not yet the end. I still have a mountain of works to do, especially my Licentiate degree thesis and comprehension - means one more semester. The graduation is given for the completion of 3 year course at UST (University of St. Thomas). Only when I finish those remaining tasks then I will be given the JCL title (Licentiate in Iuris Canonici). This graduation is a call for me (and my companions) to speed up our remaining home works. Please remember me in your prayers.
The thesis that I am working on is on the “Contribution of the Salesians of Don Bosco in the mission of the Church in East Timor, a canonical point of view”. As you may imagine, I find it hard to get sources (literature) on the topic, especially from East Timor. But I hope I will be able to finish it.
My 3 years of canon law studies with the challenges and joys, I had three years of quite hard times (i.e. age factor) and also the distance from community to the campus. Skipping the breakfast is my daily bread…also facing traffic, Manila air pollution, rain, floods and unbearable heat.
The experience was also a very positive one. First of all, it was very memorable moment, with every meaningful lessons (verbal and nonverbal), and every noteworthy endeavor which helped me to appreciate my vocation as religious, priest and Salesian. The campus (Faculty of canon law) had formed me with core values of competence, compassion, and commitment, as well as character. I hope to be so in the future. I learned life lessons from the Dominicans, but remaining a Salesian and Bosconian. I had an excellent and intelligent Salesian classmate: Fr. Umi Jun (FIN).
Heartfelt thanks to my province of Indonesia - Timor Leste (ITM) and the present community of Paranaque.
4381(II)_Champoree 2017
