MELBOURNE (Australia) and POIARES (Portugal): July
24, 2014 --The formation scene in EAO is a varied one as
we know, for its settings and people, part of the richness
that sees our region stand out for the number in initial
formation.
Then there are those from our region studying outside the
region, and those from another region but who have joined ours
and are now pursuing their formation here.
Today we look at the steps taken by Brothers: Charles Arun -
Chennai, but now part of the Cambodia Delegation and studying
for priesthood in Melbourne, Clifton Hill. Abilio
Gutteres and Lorenço Suarez,
East Timor, now studying at Clifton Hill, Melbourne, Casimiro Morais and Salvador Mauhuno, studying
at Evora, Portugal.
Let's begin with Charles, Abilio amd Lorenço or, in the latter
two cases, 'Lawrie and Bill' as they have affectionately been
named in a country which delights in shortening everything,
some would say from the working week onwards. But never fear,
dear Provincials - these three are working very hard! Getting
their English 'up to scratch' in preparation for theological
studies, in the case of the two Timorese, and for Charles -
well, in addition to his theology, he carries out a demanding
and rewarding apostolate with asylum seekers, especially Sri
Lankan Tamil speakers (those few, unfortunately, and very much
to the shame of decent Australians, who manage to get through
Australia's unrelenting approach to such matters).
On Sunday July 20, Charles received the ministry of acolyte,
while Lorenço and Abilio renewed their vows into the hands of
the Vice Provincial in AUL, Fr Bernie Graham.
The Clifton Hill formation community, aka Don Bosco House, is
ideally situated close to inner city Melbourne, Australian
Catholic University, Catholic Theological College, Royal
Melbourne Institute of Technology, and can offer a wide range
of studies and apostolates: English, Theology, Spiritual
Direction, Youth Ministry, Sabbaticals, Post-Graduate Studies.
Salesians from Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Samoa, East
Timor, Italy, Brazil, India, just to name some examples, have
all found it a place of Salesian warmth and academic and
apostolic fruitfulness.
On July 19, instead, but this time 370 km north of Lisbon, in
Poiares, Portugal, Casimiro Morais and
Salvador Mauhuno from East Timor made
their perpetual vows in the presence of Fr Artur Pereira,
Provincial of Portugal, two bishops and a large number of
Salesian priests and brothers. A group of East Timorese
friends and relatives were also present. Casimiro and Salvador
did all their initial formation in East Timor then came to
Portugal for their 2 years of Practical Training in Poiares
and Mirandela. They are pursuing theology studies at Evora,
Portugal.
The Salesians in Portugal were having their annual retreat
which, this year, was given by the Bishop of Braganca-Miranda,
Jose Cordeiro. As a conclusion to the retreat, the perpetual
profession ceremony was held in the Parish church at Poiares.
Since Timorese Bishop Carlos Belo SDB was also attending the
retreat, the ceremony took on a more solemn character since
there were two bishops present.
The Salesian community at Poiares, already in this town for 90
years, is made up of 8 confreres taking care of a school of
400 students and two parishes. It is also the home of the
famous "Banda Juvenil Salesiana de Poiares" that has been
invited to many places and even played during the 2013
Salesian Family Spirituality Days in Rome. The two Timorese
brothers, in fact, are also members of this band.
