East Timor Update

Dear Sisters, Family and Colleagues,

Just a few jottings from Timor!  Many thanks to all for your kind wishes and hope that the cold I contracted is better.  Actually, it improved remarkably once I was in the warm fresh air.  I hope the many others who also succumbed are now feeling much better.

So much has happened here.  I left Oz on the 5th and met up with Michael Musgrave and Elizabeth Strutt from St Canice’s, Elizabeth Bay, who were attending the blessing of the new church in Railaco.  Fr Eric Gerilla SJ met us at Dili airport and drove us to Railaco on the 6th.  People were working everywhere getting the church and environs in readiness for the big day.  There have been so many improvements.  Previous visitors to Railaco will be amazed when you re-visit.  There is now a truly magnificent church surrounded by landscaped gardens; a new church office where the old kiosk/canteen used to be; the previous church is now a splendid community centre; with newly built accommodation specially for the Bishop and extra accommodation for VIP guest.  The grounds in front of the Clinic and Jesuit Residence have become an excellent covered-in outdoor venue with an extensive raised section for outdoor altar and other functions.  Fr Phuong has masterminded everything and had the backing of the people with a representative Commission of Railaco lay people and a team of various Ermera architects who were co-opted to be an important part of the whole scheme.  What a project!

I could write much about the church (which looks brilliant at night when lit up) but it was with great joy that I saw, when Fr Phuong showed me, the big 100 year old bell donated by Booval (Qld) Parish  now in situ in an imposing bell tower.

This was a great occasion in Railaco because as well as being the occasion for the blessing and opening of the new church to accommodate large numbers, it was also the occasion for the announcement that Railaco is now a Parish in its own right.  This is very significant in Timor and the people here have been longing for this inauguration.  In addition, the Jesuits have been given the contract for the running of the Parish hence planning can be done with surety of tenure.  For all these reasons the jubilation was heartfelt and obviously manifest.  It was a great privilege to be here.

While Elizabeth was content to be quietly but fully immersed in all that was happening, and grateful to ex-student of NOSSEF, and also of Mater Christi, Melbourne, Olga da Silva who sat with her and accompanied her, Michael was out and about everywhere.  Constantly networking to ensure closer ties between Nossa Senhora de Fatima and St Canice’s, North Sydney Michael met as many people as he could, was delighted to speak with the Bishop about the Sister Parish relationship and took endless photos.  None of which came easy because when it comes to heat and air-conditioning, Michael and I are at opposite ends of the spectrum.  He was a wonderful travelling companion for Elizabeth and me and is kindness itself but it was his perseverance, when obviously physically wilting, in going to places or organizing a rendezvous and searching for the best photographic angle that gained my great admiration and it is all done to promote the work of both parishes.  Thank you Michael!

Saturday 7 October:

The new Bishop of Dili is young and is a Salesian, hence an energetic, apostolic and very youth interested leader.  His name is Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, SDB. (He looks very like Bishop Belo!). On Saturday he arrived in Railaco driving along the main road which was traditionally decorated with bamboo arches and colourful banners.  After the traditional welcome in front of the gathering crowds he presided over an hour long ceremony whereby various church and civic leaders were lauded for their help in bringing this great occasion to pass. The 10 am Mass now, typically, commenced at 11 am and the magnificent liturgy was begun with the Bishop concelebrating with numerous Jesuit and Diocesan priests.  The acoustics were excellent and the singing glorious.  The Timorese love good church music and it was a joy to hear.  Nothing daunted by having participated already for 2⅓ hours the Bishop gave a twenty-five minute homily and presided with due solemnity over the three hour Mass blessing every corner of the church and all of us with energy and acknowledgement. At the conclusion Fr Phuong received, in a stylish format, the formal inauguration of the proclamation of Railaco as a Parish.  As he held it aloft for all to see a great burst of applause broke out and some people were in tears.  This was the high point of the day but it was also a prelude because as the Final hymn reached a crescendo and the great bell from on high pealed over all, and the long procession of clergy processed out, the people universally joyous, were now faced with the incomparable delight of a monster festa!

What do Westerners do when they have invited two thousand people to a feast?  In Timor the local people organize themselves into teams and they cook for the celebration.  The organization, preparation and execution would do an efficient army proud.  They calculate the number of cows, pigs, rice and vegetables required, obtain them and then stay up, many of them, all night, and cook (and the cleaning after takes another one or two days).  (For your homework calculate how much rice is required for two thousand people!).  Naturally, the Festa was accompanied by entertainment and so singing, various musical items and dancing continued until near exhaustion drew most people homewards and the army of workers descended upon the area to clean up (imagine it!) and prepare the area for the morrow’s outdoor Confirmation Mass.

At 6.30pm the indefatigable Bishop was addressing the members of the Pastoral Council and local leaders.  He was on the point of asking for any questions when Elizabeth and I unintentionally gate-crashed the meeting.  Rather than create another disturbance we seated ourselves and listened uncomprehendingly while the Bishop dealt with all matters until after 8pm.  He then joined all of us for an evening meal.  And so endeth day one!

Sunday 8 October:

The Bishop joined the local community for breakfast and showed no sign of hurrying his repast as he chatted leisurely with whoever turned up.  Outside 700 mainly young people were assembling for their Confirmation Mass.  It was nearing 9am and the sun was already shining with intensity.  Every position in shade was already occupied and we were glad of the elevated covered area near the choir where we were hospitably directed.  There were a number of ‘oldies’ to be confirmed and it was very moving to see these people humbly receiving the fullness of the gift of the Spirit.  Among them was Mestre Cesar, Vice Director of Nossef and some grandfathers witnessing to the influence of the Jesuits’ work in the villages.  The Bishop confirmed each of the seven hundred individually and did admit to his arm being a little tired at the end of the ceremony!   I was tired just sitting but the choirs sang on as if each hymn was the only one to be sung and I think the Guiness Book of Records could have had a few more new entries if the day’s events were made known.

Families had come from all over Railaco for these days’ events.  They had walked, driven, hired trucks and used the mini-buses.  The girls, always beautiful looked stunning in their best and very special confirmation dresses while the boys were also arrayed in sartorial splendour with fashionable haircuts abounding.  The boys wore Tais sashes and the huge expanse of altar had evidence of the Timorese expertise in using the local flowers and cloth to transform everything to be both beautiful and culturally significant.

After the Mass I had a wonderful time meeting so many old, and young, friends from the villages.  “All of Craic is here” or “All of Leten is here” various representatives would share with me and I really think I met them all.  As well as having an arm almost as sore as the Bishop’s I had to go into memory overdrive to get the names right!  People matter in Timor.

Monday 9 October:

Could this be a normal day?

Actually, most of it was!  However in the late afternoon, just as the heavens opened (it shouldn’t rain until November!) we had a visit from the Christian Brothers who work in Railaco Craic and who were at the ceremonies.  They had two of their leadership team with them: Bros Bernie Garvan and Damien Price.  While the rain pelted down we chatted and had coffee.  Br Peter had taken some great photos of the Inauguration Mass and he gave us copies.  Bernie and Damien were then able to have a tour of the church led by Fr Phuong. (The rain had stopped.).  Patty and Meg you have met Damien along life’s journey and he wishes to be remembered to you both.

The Brothers had come on a very special visit to advise the Fathers that, very sadly, due to decreasing numbers they would be leaving Timor at the end of 2018.  We know how difficult these decisions are and we felt for these Brothers very much.  They have been in Timor prior to 1999 and the mission commenced here by Dan Courtney RIP has grown significantly in many ways.  They have made an extraordinary contribution to the life of the people in the mountains and in Fatuhada, Dili.  They have also done everything they can to make their work sustainable by teaching and training many Timorese in a variety of areas.  So much more can be said, and I am sure, will be said in tribute to them.  The Fathers and I were very grateful for the courtesy shown in having their leadership come to advise us personally of this decision.  The closing of a ministry and its associated pain; the opening of a new church and the evident growth of mission; death and resurrection are with us always and each is an insepa