4592(V)_Celebrating Christmas and sharing the future of Timor Leste

Christmas encounter in Evora community - Portugal

December 27, 2017

By Cl. Salvador Mau Huno Jose, SDB
Student of theology, ITM

Evora, Portugal, 27 December 2017 -- Our community of Evora (Portugal) was happy to celebrate the second day of the Christmas season wonderful visit of our Provincial, Fr. Anibal Mendoza and the EAO regional councilor, Fr. Vaclav Klement accompanied by our two practical trainees who spend also with one the feastday of Saint Martyr - Deacon Steven.

Thanks to the mutual agreement between the two provinces of ITM (Indonesia-Timor Leste) and POR (Portugal) there are now not less than 9 Salesians from Timor Leste studying in Portugal: two practical trainees, six students of theology and one priest (school administration). The community of Evora become already four years ago our second home. Together with 5 senior Portoghese Salesians and 6 young Timorese Salesians experience an awesome family spirit. Our community is entrusted with formation, parish and school (600+ students up to grade 12).

Few months after the visit of the ITM provincial Fr. Apolinario Neto we have today a good chance to share about our province community future. We learn many news from the EAO region, we get to know the AustraLasia news and Boscolink website and have a personal talk with the EAO regional councilor. A meaningful sharing about our Cafasso (personal spiritual accompaniment), about the formative experience in Portugal and especially about the future of our Vice-province.

At present there are 40 confreres of the ITM Viceprovince studying abroad different major in the following countries: Australia, Philippines, India, Belgium, Italy and Portugal. We believe, that he best investment for the growth of Salesian Charism in our two countries is to qualify our confreres for the mission.