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| Fr. John received Fr. Superior and Regioanl in Hera |
First of all, I would like to congratulate all of
us, the children of St. Arnold Jansen, who celebrate the feast of St. Joseph
Freinademetz, the first missionary and patron of the SVD Timor Leste Region.
Along with this celebration, on this day we received twelve young people who
entered the SVD's postulancy. This celebration also officially opens the
celebration of SVD/SSpS' forty years of presence and mission in Timor Leste. We
are going to celebrate this special moment over the whole year, starting today,
January 29, 2015, until January 29, 2016
.
Last year, when we celebrated the birth of the
SVD congregation on September 8, Fr. regional and the
committee in a circular letter wrote that, activities which were carried out
during the celebration especially brought the young people together from
different parishes and the places where the SVD-SSpS are present. It was
one of the anticipatory activities which build up to the celebration of
SVD-SSpS' forty years of presence and Mission in Timor-Leste. Therefore, the
initiative and the spirit of such a momentuous celebration have been started
from that moment, being realised today, and will continue until January 29, 2016.
2. The
purpose of celebrating 40 years of SVD-SSpS' presence and Mission in Timor
Leste
a/
We thank the Triune God - the Holy Trinity - the Father and
the Son and the Holy Spirit, who has blessed our founder St. Arnold Yansen, the
first missionary St. Joseph Freinademetz, and our co-founders Blessed Maria
Helena Stollenwerk and Blessed Maria Josepha, who have inspired and animated
us, who have become a model for the missionary work of SVD-SSpS in Timor Leste
for forty years and beyond.
b/
We are grateful to honestly open ourselves to the past,
through understanding the history and experience of the past, in the light of
the 'Word of God' rooted in the culture of East Timor so that we are still
standing strong today. The current period is full of challenges and different
opportunities which invite us to look towards the future in ways that the
presence and the actualization mission can be more effective and relevant
in the context of a changing world, especially in East Timor.
c/
We wish to spread and deepen the SVD-SSpS spirituality to and
with other people, especially among those whom SVD-SSpS work with.
d/
We wish to strengthen the unity and collegiality between
SVD-SSpS and all of the people in parishes as well as in other places
where SVD-SSpS have their missionary presence.
3.
Action Plan
a/
Action Plan ad Intra.
= We collectively
and individually will attend retreats / monthly recollections within each
community and district of SVD-SSpS, and together with other people at certain
times. The themes will be distributed monthly and the retreats will be related
to the year of consecrated life proclaimed by Pope Francis (November 30, 2014 -
February 2, 2016).
= Other Ad intra activities will be
implemented jointly with associated Commissions, for example: AJS Workshop,
annual retreats, seminars / workshops intercultural.
b/
Action Plan ad Extra.
= Some activities in the parishes will be carried
out by the commissions during this year. The schedule of events will be
distributed to the parishes and communities of SVD-SSpS.
=
In relation to this celebration, the New Testament and bulletins related
to the 40th anniversary of SVD-SSpS will be distributed as memories of the
celebrations.
=
There will be a dialogue called "Jovem Verbita ", to be
conducted in August.
= The Commission
will propose to the SVD-SSpS' Regionals and regional councils about the time
and venue of the celebration of SVD-SSpS' forty years of Mission in
Timor-Leste. The comission is suggesting two places: 1. the parish of Oecuse,
the first community of the SVD-SSpS in East Timor; 2. the parish of Atabae,
voted by the other parishes.
4.
Finance
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| Fr. John at Holy Land with Holy Global Tour |
The current finance for
the celebration of forty years is nil. But as said by St. Arnold Janssen, the
money is in the pocket of benefactors ... ..just wait when the activities are
implemented ... ... the financial resource will come from the members of
SVD-SSpS, community contributions and generous volunteers. All will come
hand in hand with the aim of promoting religious life and promoting the Mission
of SVD-SSpS in parishes where SVD-SSpS have missionary presence. For example,
by making catechesis, Bible sharing, family visits, Animation Mission, social
services and film documentaries.
This is the general planning of the committee for
the celebration of 40 years of SVD-SSpS' presence and mission in East Timor.
Details of the commission structure and an action plan of the activities will
published in the next commission meeting.
Finally, with the grace and help of the Merciful
and Incarnate God, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may we all stay
healthy, body and soul, so that the we can wholly celebrate forty years of
SVD-SSpS' presence and mission in East Timor. (Fr.Yohanes
Suban Gapun, SVD)
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