| Indonesia – 25th anniversary of Salesian presence |
| Indonesia – The Association of the Salesians-Cooperators Grows |
Yesterday Tuesday 6 April, Fr Chávez and his secretary Fr Juan José Bartolomé, arrived at the airport of Soekarno-Hatta in Jakarta, Indonesia, where they were welcomed by F Andrew Wong, Regional Councillor for East Asia -Oceania, and Fr Andres Calleja, Superior of the “Saint Callixstus Caravario” Vice Province of “Indonesia- East Timor” (ITM). The first stop on their journey was the Salesian Post-novitiate at Wisma, where the Rector Major was greeted by a numerous group of Salesians, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, (FMA), Salesians-Cooperators and Friends of Don Bosco and his work.
After Rosary and Evening Prayer, the Community had supper with the Rector Major then presented some slides of the Salesian works in the country, while the Provincial in his good-night talk explained how even before the Salesian presence began in Indonesia, Don Bosco was already known in Indonesia, with several schools and orphanages named after Don Bosco since as early as 1927.
The 25th Jubilee celebrations were actually launched last September under the banner of `Bersama Mewudjudkan Mimpi` or `bringing the dream to fruition together.`
The Salesians began their apostolate in Indonesia in 1985, at Rajawali Selatan, Pademangan. The Sons of Don Bosco then moved in 1991 to Wisma, which became the Mother House of Indonesia. Other works were opened later, at Tigaraksa in 1999, St. John Bosco Parish, Sunter, in 2002, Sumba in 2003, and finally Blitar and Surabaya in 2009.
The number of Salesians in Indonesia also increased: the first Indonesian Salesian was Fr. Andre Delimarta ordained in Jakarta Utara on 15 April 1997. Others followed and today there are more than 50 Indonesian Salesians.
On 20 January the Rector Major and his Council approved e request to set up a Delegation of Indonesia, under the Vice Province of ITM, based in Dili, East Timor.
Published 07/04/2010
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