By Bro. Amilcar D’Silva, SDB
Venilale, Timor Leste, 29 December 2015 - The Salesian Priests, Brothers and the novices in Timor Leste hold a provincial day in the community of Blessed Philip Rinaldi – Venilale. It’s a special day once in a year to come together, to greet each other, to thank each other and in a special way to thank Father Provincial. It’s also to celebrate Christmas together.
The day filled with the three events: Conference, Eucharistic celebration and Family togetherness (Fraternal Agape). Father Apolinario Neto SDB (the vice-provincial) guided the events of the day. In the morning, at 10:00 AM it began with the conference by the Provincial; Father Virgilio do Carmo da Silva SDB. His point of reflection in the conference was based on the Strenna 2016 and encouraging each confreres to be authentic Salesian. After half an hour of talk, the Provincial presented to the confreres, the Tetum translation of the Salesian Constitution and distributed to each confreres. On behalf of the Salesians in the Vice-Province, he thanked Father Manuel Fraile SDB who had done this great work and Father Placido SDB who offered his time to proofread and make an editing toward the completion. Having distributed the Salesian Constitution to all the confreres, Father Provincial briefly informed the changes in the community of some confreres to all the confreres. He, then, invited Father Mario Sousa SDB and Father Agostinho Soares SDB to briefly informed about the preparation of the Provincial Chapter in the coming week to all confreres, especially those who will be taking part in it.
The next event – the most important one and the centre of all our energies is the Eucharistic Celebration. The Eucharistic Celebration took place in the parish church of Sacred Heart of Jesus – Venilale. The main celebrant was Father Virgilio do Carmo da Silva SDB (the Provincial) and the brothers in formation house of Post Novitiate Dili animated the Mass with choirs.
The last event of the day is the Fraternal Agape. So, after the liturgical celebration, it was also a real celebration at table, in which everyone had a taste of the most delicious food that can be served only in East Timor, and also of that family togetherness typical of the Salesian Family. All the confreres enjoyed a grand lunch and exchanged Christmas gifts to each other as we celebrated the Christmas.
Before the end of the programs, Father Provincial requested Father João de Deus SDB – the great missionary and pioneer of the Salesian mission in Timor Leste, to say a few words and to share the beginning of his vocation and mission to all the confreres. Father Provincial concluded the programs by expressing gratitude to all the confreres, the rector and members of salesian community of Venilale for being generous to host the celebrations. He also extended his greeting of New Year 2016 to all the confreres and wished them a year full of joy and energy to kick-start the mission with enthusiasm.
