FATUMACA: 14 February 2103 -- With
17
Timorese already around the world as missionaries, there is
little
wonder that the Missions Councillor, Fr Klement, has chosen
some time
to visit the Timorese part of the ITM Vice Province. He is
spending six
days there.
Other than the visit to Comoro and the Provincial House, where
he was
able to celebrate the Ash Wednesday ceremony, Fr Klement
quickly moved
on to Fatunaca, the cradle of initial formation for Saelsian
East
Timor. The postnovitiate is in Dili, Comoro, where the new
constructed
postnovitiate quarters are now in full use.
Of course, young Salesians are always
very interested in the broader
Salesian world, so many questions on the missions, how things
are in
other parts of the world, Europe for example, which is
struggling for
novices by comparison. Fr Klement noted that one of the
novices is a
convert from the Muslim faith. There can't be too many of
those
elsewhere around the globe.
He also notes some interesting changes over the six year
period since
his last visit: Portuguese seems to have regained strength as
a
language, with a little less English than he had previously
noted; a
much more evident stability overall, in social and political
terms, and
people generally better dressed. But he also notes that in the
villages, no great differences are apparent, and not all
health
concerns (especially hepatitis) have yet been overcome.
Fatumaca is something of a complete Salesian presence with
just about
all sectors and activities involved:
Primary and secondary school for the children/youth from
nearby villages
Secondary technical school soon to become a Polytechnic
University, 6
sections (mechanics, woodwork, electronics, electricity,
automechanics..)
Community radio (managed by the novices and STS students)
Boarding house for 200 students
Aspirantate SDB
Novitiate SDB
Social and agricultural work in the 15 villages of our Parish
Shrine of Mary Help of Christians
ADMA associations branch
Past pupils of Don Bosco branch, now actively preparing the
50th
anniversary.
The Golden Jubilee for Fatumaca will take place in 2014, and
well-known
local identity, Fr Locatelli will be celebrating with it. Fr
Locatelli
was born in France, made his novitiate in Italy, spent some
time in Goa
as a cleric and was ordained in Portugal, in 1964, soon after
which he
moved to East Timor.
