General House, Sacro Cuore, Rome, 21 July 2020 -- Salesian Brother Garcia Garrido Jesús Julián (aka Brother Jess, as well known within the EAO region) shared his goodnight after Vespers on 20 July 2020 in the Saint Joseph's community chapel at Sacro Cuore. Br. Jess concluded his 3 year service to the Congregation as economer of the General house, starting at 'La Pisana' in 2017 and accompanying the not-so-easy task of settling into the Sacred Heart complex.
He is returning to his native Spain, after 38 years in the missions. After his post-novitiate in Spain, he reached the united province of the Philippines (FIL) in 1982 and since 1995 contributed to the Papua New Guinea missions until 2017. From 1 August 2020 he is to be officially transferred to the Spanish province of St James (SSM - Madrid).
In a profound farewell goodnight Br. Jess shared his experience of the last three years, when from the frontline missions in the PGS vice-province of Blessed Philip Rinaldi he suddenly came in touch with the centre of the world-wide Congregation: "It was not easy - and I understand the variety of human aspects in the Congregation. Yes - we are not angels, we are also deeply human."
As the major challenge of the last 3 years the 59-year-old Salesian Brother said that 'the challenge was to listen to the large 50-60 member strong community of the general house. Not only listen to those who are vocal, but listen also to those confreres who never voice their needs or opinions." As a conclusion Br. Jess stressed three times the need 'to listen with the whole heart' to all confreres.
We give thanks to Br. Jess along with the Rector of St. Joseph community, Fr. Jean Claude Ngoy: ..."we witness in Br Jess always an available collaborator, attentive to the multiple needs of this large house. He always tried to do the best according to his best capacities and possibilities... Especially during the not-so-easy time of settling here in Sacro Cuore when it was necessary to put the whole loving heart and soul into the task, in order to make each confrere feel at home in this new residence... And what matters most is that Br. Jess was serving all confreres with the utmost respect and responsibility...".
And at the end of the day we also hope that after 38 years, and now returning to his native Spain, Brother Jess will adapt to the new cultures and situations as a true missionary. Tenk u tru! We miss you!
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