(ANS - Dili) - From 9 to 15 September, the Vice President of the World Confederation of the Young Past Pupils of Don Bosco , Mr Ángel Gudiña and the World Delegate of the Past Pupils Association, Fr Pastor José Ramírez, made an animation visit to the Vice Province of "Indonesia Timor-Leste." Accompanying them were the President and Vice President of the local association, repectively, Mr Agostinho Santos and Mr Venancio Freitas; and during the course of the visit, there was also a meeting with 88 young leaders and 15 adult leaders of the association.

by Pastor José  Ramírez

The Salesians in East Timor, serve about 16,000 students and run 7 boarding schools, each accommodating about roughly 90 children. A large number of past pupils are engaged in teaching at the Salesian works and especially in various schools and training institutions that they manage themselves, like the Cristal Hugh School.

The various meetings in different local settings have sought to encourage the formation and animation, strengthen the structures and the sense of belonging to the Salesian Family, present the identity and mission in the Church and in society, and animate the celebration of the Bicentennial of Don Bosco with various initiatives. In this regard we mention the visit of the statue of Mary Help of Christians in the homes of past pupils, beginning with that of President of the Republic, José Vasconcelos; the start of the School for Leaders; and the pilgrimage to Turin and Fatima this coming October.

The Past Pupils of East Timor are distinguished by a very good relationship with each other and with the Salesians, also because of their large presence in the structures of the government and civil society. They have created and managed a significant number of social and educational projects and their pastoral work in the 3 dioceses of the country is also noteworthy.

From September 12 to 14, the first School for Leaders was opened in Dili, a pioneer for the whole of Asia. It was attended by about 88 young people from all Salesian houses in the country and 15 adult leaders accompanied by their Salesians Delegates. The inauguration was also attended by the Salesian Provincial, Fr João Paulino Guterres, and the Vicar Provincial of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sr Ermelinda Gomes.

During the course of the School for Leaders, Fr Pastor Ramírez presented reports: "Identity, social, political and ecclesial commitment of Past Pupils in East Timor and Asia" and "The Salesian Past Pupils, the Social Doctrine of the Church, Human Rights and Values." While Mr. Gudiña focused his presentation on organizational issues: leadership, communication skills, project management and associations.

The School for Leaders of East Timor is the fourth launched by the World Confederation of the Past Pupils Salesians in the past 6 years to address the need for the formation of leaders for the Association and the society in general.

At the end of the School for Leaders, Mr. Gudiña met with the President of the Parliament, Mr. Vicente Aparicio Guterres, to inform him about the XI Asia-Oceania Congress of the Past Pupils, which will be hosted by the Federation of East Timor in 2016.

(translated by Gian Francesco Romano)

Posted on 09/15/2014