3760(II)_Happy Birthday in Purwodadi - Central Java

By Fr. Matius Sudiantoro, SDB

Java, Indonesia, October 7, 2015 - After 18 months of our new presence in Purwodadi (diocese of Purwokerto, Central Java) we got the first visit from the EAO regional council, just on his birthday, 7th of October.

It was unexpected visit and gift for us as well for Fr. Klement on his animation visit in our young Indonesia Delegation.

Ten years from the first invitation of the diocesan bishop of Purwekorto, Mons.Julianus Kemo Sunarko, S.J the Indonesia delegation Salesian finally arrived last July 2014 to take over one Catholic junior high school in the town of Purwodadi - Purworejo, one hour drive from Yogjakarta.

Purwokerto is a typical Javanese diocese of 18 millions of population with .75.000 Catholic (0.4% of the total population) speaking Bahasa Indonesia and Javanese langauge. Among 78 priests there are 35 diocesan and 43 religious. Our educative charism presence was wanted by the local Bishop and in the prospection trip in 2014 we have chosen among 4 possible locations this secondary school.

After 15 months of the Salesian presence are are happy to share the progressive renewal of the 60 years school facilities and slow but effective Salesian formation of the educative-pastoral environment. We are 3 Salesian priests (Fr. Trianto, Fr. Catur and Fr. Matius) together with one practical trainee in his second year. Although today our school has only 60+ students, we try to do everything possible to make Don Bosco known in the local parish with seven mission stations and reach out to the families of our students.

We believe, that Don Bosco is happy with us, because most of our students are from very poor background (no electricity in many families, dysfunctional family due to working emigration abroad and few educational opportunities around). We try to make many friends among the Catholic community as well in the local society and our Muslim brothers and sisters. There is also one Imam, Past Pupil of our school, who is involved in the teaching and one religious sister, Brigide (PMY Congregation) working with us in the school. At the moment most of the delapidated facilities of the school are renewed with a help from many benefactors (Mandiri Bank, Jakarta - Sunter parish of St. John Bosco, Delegation office etc). We have also open a boarding house, although at the moment there are only two boys living 24/7 with us. Daily Good Morning Talks in the school and our patience and joyful presence does transform this diocesan school into a school of Don Bosco day by day.

Don Bosco and his Salesians were welcomed to Purwokerto and is becoming slowly part of the local society and Catholic community. Although we are far from other SDB communities we try to keep in touch through life sharing and are open to welcome any Salesian in our humble house.