Comoro, Dili, Timor-Leste, 14 December 2021 -- During the weekend of 11-12 December 2021, the Dili Salesian Cooperators Centre, together with their Delegate, their aspirants, and the Young Cooperators, held the fourth Assembly since their establishment. This took place at AVR Hall, Don Bosco Comoro, Dili, Timor – Leste. The Assembly was also joined by the Provincial Coordinator and some of his council members, and the FMA Provincial delegate.
The first day of the congress (11 December 2021) was totally dedicated to the election of the New Leaders (local Coordinator, and his Council Members), who will animate and govern all the activities, and the association's programs for the next three years (2022 – 2024).
The Assembly began with the opening prayer and remarks led by the Delegate, Fr. Lourenço das Neves, who called upon all the cooperators to open their hearts and minds to work together in order to fulfill Don Boscoìs Mission as entrusted to them by God. He also encouraged them to pray, asking God to grant them faithful leaders to guide and to collaborate with them in all their activities, according to the will of God reflected in the Project of Apostolic Life. With the assistance of the Holy Spirit, the Assembly members re-elected Mr. Segismundo A. Liberato to continue as local Coordinator for another 3 year period (2022 - 2024). The Centre members also elected their council: Mr. Osorio Babo (secretary), Mrs. Elia de Deus (administrator), and Mr. David A. Guterres (the formation councilor). The first day of the assembly concluded with a shared dinner at AVR hall.
The second day of the assembly was dedicated to the recollection - spiritual renewal of all Dili centre members. Fr José San Juan, SDB, was the preacher; he shared with them the Rector Major's Strenna for 2022: “Do everything through love, and nothing through constraint.” On his reflection, he called on them to take “love” as the centre for their life and mission as Salesian Cooperators. Our mission as the bearers of God’s love for the young will not come to its fulfillment if it is not moved by love itself.
After confessions, the Eucharist was celebrated by Fr. Apolinario Maria Ornai Neto, TLS Vice - Province Superior. Within this Eucharistic celebration for the Third Sunday of Advent, seventeen (17) aspirants, who have received adequate formation, freely offered themselves to live as Salesian Cooperators through their promise. At the same time the senior members renewed their promise and the new Centre leadership was installed for a 3 year period (2022 – 2024).
In his homily, Father Provincial invited all to be joyful for the coming of the True Light of God who is close at hand (3rd Advent Sunday) and to be grateful to God, who never stops calling new members to join the Salesian Family. It is indeed a great joy to have new members who freely offer themselves to work in the vineyard of God. As Salesians, we are all called by God to share in the mission that He has entrusted to Don Bosco: giving oneself without condition for the salvation of youth, most specifically the poor and the little ones in society. This mission has to begin from our families, relatives, before it spreads to other people who we meet day in and day out in our life. To conclude, we should always bear.
The second day of the Assembly ended with the shared meal at the Audio-Visual hall to welcome newly promised members and to congratulate the mew leaders who will guide all the activities of the cooperators for the next three years.
