(ANS – Quetta) – All the SDBs working in Pakistan gathered together in Quetta for our Christmas celebration this year which was made even more special by the presence of Bro. Edward Villordon (FIS Provincial Economer) and Bro. Jean Paul Muller who arrived here last December 23 and 24 respectively. Their visit is one of the fruits of the meeting held in Rome last July 25, 2012 together with the Rector Major and all the stakeholders of our mission in Pakistan regarding the current situation and challenges facing our presences here in the country.

Salesians arrived in Pakistan 14 years ago and are now in 2 communities—Lahore and Quetta, both working in the area of education and youth formation. The development and expansion over the years have been truly amazing yet the difficult situation in the country, the high turnover of confreres/limited number of confreres, the problem of having visas approved for new missionaries and the whole process of transition and consolidation of our work post some real challenges to all concerned.

The visit of Brothers Jean Paul and Ed is an assurance of the closeness and support of the whole congregation to all of us here in Pakistan. Among the plans outlined in the July 2012 meeting in Rome was the strengthening of the collaboration between Pakistan mission and the FIS province to where it is attached as well as the creation of a closer relationship among confreres at various levels (province, region and world) connected with this work. And so this encounter, as Br. Jean Paul has made clear from the very beginning, is a “fraternal visit” so that they on their part are able to deeply understand and personally experience the life of the confreres here and meet and listen to their stories and experiences.

Bro. Jean Paul stayed for four days while Br. Ed is staying for a full week—listening, learning, and living our life here, particularly in Quetta. We on our part have been surely enriched and encouraged by their presence. And in spite of the certainly difficult days ahead, our reflections and sharing of these past days allow us to look ahead just the same, with hope and optimism knowing that we are not alone.

And isn’t this what Christmas is actually all about—knowing that we are not alone, knowing that in spite of the seemingly dark and desperate situation we might be in our God is with us. He is Emmanuel!

Published 08/01/2013