WEEPANGALI, (Sumba): 4 February 2011 -- Don Bosco's
feast day is over and after a day of prayer for the deceased
Salesian confreres, the 8 novices in Weepangali, Sumba began
their mid-year retreat with the Feast of the Presentation.
The novices will miss the Sumba Community, the "Valdocco" of
Indonesia, for some days.
Days before the solemnity of St John
Bosco, the 9 Salesians and 8 novices had already drummed up
small festivities among the young people of the village and
the boarders at the Training Centre. A Sunday Bazaar was
held for the oratory children of the village in the
afternoon while a cultural-musical presentation was held in
the evening with items from the children, youth, novices and
boarders at the training centre. Special soccer games and a
"Don Bosco Quiz" were held for the boaders. All this was
complemented by a spiritual preparation consisting of novena
prayers and the Triduum Masses for Don Bosco.
The feast day itself was attended by the
FMA sisters, priests, religious, benefactors and the laity.
Unfortunately the Bishop and the Mayor could be present, so
Fr. Joseph Ola, SDB, the rector of the house, welcomed the
Diocesan Vicar General and the Mayor's wife who came for the
Solemn Mass, drama presentation and the sumptuous dinner.
Sumba is the only Salesian presence in
Indonesia with a parochial chapel, a boarding house, a
Training Centre, a Festive Oratory and a formation house.
That is why this community can be considered as the
"Valdocco" of Indonesia. It has almost all the elements for
experiencing Salesian apostolate. While Indonesia is
predominantly Islamic, some islands have a good number of
Christians where religious activities can be carried out
without difficulty. So, just like in the times of Don Bosco,
here in Sumba, catechism is taught in the oratory, and
during the soccer games the Salesians are present in the
field. During Sunday Vespers for boarders or during the
evening novena prayers, the boys spontaneously go to
confession. We are blessed with the opportunity to make Don
Bosco alive again in this part of the world. _________________ AustraLasia
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