2742 ITM-Indonesia Signs of growth
austraLasia #2742

ITM: important signs of growth

Jakarta (Indonesia) and Maliana (East Timor): 21 October 2010:  On 10 October the confreres of the ITM Vice-Province (Indonesia-Timor) received the joyful news that the Rector Major had approved  the nomination of Fr Johanes Boedirahardjo Soerjonoto (Fr Boedi for short) as the Indonesian Delegate of the Superior of the Vice-Province, Fr João Aparicio Guterres, for the first triennium 2010-2013. Fr Boedi had occupied several important positions before his appointment, such as Provincial Economer, and Rector of both the Pre-Novitiate and the Post-Novitiate in Indonesia. Fr Boedi and Fr Andre Delimarta were the first Indonesian Salesian priests. And now he becomes the first Indonesian head of  the Delegation.
    On 20 October the filming of the movie, “Laura” began – the Indonesian version of the life of Blessed Laura Vicuña. Fr Peter Tukan, the head of the Salesian Delegation of Indonesia’s Commission of Social Communications and Rector of the Post-Novitiate spear-headed the project, with the support of several experienced people in the film industry from the Parish of St John Bosco, North Jakarta. It is interesting to note that the actors and actresses, many of whom are not Catholics  (the majority of the Indonesians are Muslims) are captivated by the figure of Blessed Laura. This might be because of the fact that many families and young people in modern Jakarta reflect the story of Laura. The Salesians, FMA Sisters, Cooperators and Friends of Don Bosco fully support the project, and pray that through the intercession of Blessed Laura what has began so wonderfully may reach its completion.

Maliana, East Timor: 17 October 2010 was a special day for the people of the district of Maliana, East Timor. It marked a new page for Salesian presence in the Republica Demokratica Timor Leste for the all-rounded education of young people according to Don Bosco's style and his dream for young people around the world. It is also a new presence of the Salesians of Don Bosco in the western part of East Timor, in particular in the newly erected Diocese of Maliana. The Bishop and the local authorities are very enthusiastic about the presence of the sons of Don Bosco in their territory.
    The event was the laying of the foundation stone for the new Don Bosco Technical School in Maumali, Maliana. The Superior of the Vice Province and some Salesians were there together with the Minister of Education, the Vicar General of the Diocese, who represented the local Bishop, benefactors and local authorities.
    The Salesian presence in Maliana is at the invitation of the Bishop of the Diocese of Maliana and government of RDTL through the Ministry of Education. The minister himself is a Salesian past pupil from Fatumaca, East Timor. The government wants to entrust
the daily running of the Don Bosco Technical School of Maumali to the Salesians. It will help address the technical and professional formation of Timorese youth specially those in Maliana and the villages nearby.
    Fr João Aparicio Guterres, in his address at the ceremony, highlighted the Salesian presence as members of the local church concerned especially for the young who are to be East Timor's future.
    Construction of the Don Bosco Technical School, Maumali, Maliana will be the result of a threefold cooperation: the Government of RDTL, the Spanish Government and the Salesians of Don Bosco.


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