Dili, timor Leste, 6 April 2021 -- Christ is risen…He is risen indeed, Alleluia !
From the Vice-Province of St. Callisto Caravario, Timor Leste (TLS) our greetings of HAPPY EASTER to all of you Salesian Family, young people, benefactors and friends. May the Risen Lord grant us joy of his light and make us bearers of his light to all people.
Our celebration of Easter vigil and Sunday Easter in East Timor was never meant to go back to normal. Two consecutive celebrations of Easter (2020-2021) which normally churches and chapels were crowded by faithful people were reduced to five to ten people only attending because of COVID-19.
Aside from the COVID-19, what surprised us more in the entire country on Sunday Easter was the huge natural calamities of heavy rain and strong winds which were followed by landslides, floods everywhere. Rivers destroyed bridges, thousands of poor families lost their shelters and things, and even many of lives were gone including one of our former Salesians, Alcino Kefi (student in Postnovitiate). Dili, the capital, and some other districts were living under water. Many people are without clean water, no food, homeless and many more nowhere to hide and shelter. Fortunately those living near the religious communities were able to find places and able to have some humanitarian helps.
Don Bosco’s communities of Comoro, particularly the community of the Training Centre, were able to host more than 3000 (three thousands plus) people living around us, our parishioners and those who were brought by the international Red Cross. The Rector of Don Bosco Training Centre, Fr. Hermenegildo Pereira SDB and the Principal Bro. Adriano de Jesus,SDB are the main coordinators and always standby welcoming the people with a Salesian smile. Our Practical Trainees and other 40 Postnovices were also on standby to give a hand to assist and distribute things.
The Good Lord is sending us continuously food, water, clothes and many other basic needs through so many generous people, NGOs, our past-pupils and the Salesian Family. May the God of love recompenses their kindness.
