Please CLICK HERE to read Michael’s report: ‘The First Letter of Michael to the Caniceians’.
East Timor is our nearest neighbour
Photo Credit: Br Jeffrey Pioquinto SJ
Our Railaco Lead Ambassador, Michael Musgrave, travelled to Timor-Leste to visit the Jesuit Railaco Mission and to meet others in the Jesuit Community in Dili. He travelled with the Program Manager of Jesuit Mission Australia, Angela Ford, and two young volunteers from Melbourne, Karl and Lucy, who accompanied them for part of the trip to photograph and collect material to make a series of short videos. We look forward to sharing them with all Caniceians in the near future.
During Michael’s days in Taibesi Jesuit Residence in Dili, he met with the six students from the Jesuit Schools in Sydney, Riverview, St Aloysius, and Mt Druitt, who were in Timor on an ‘immersion’ experience. They will be in attendance at the three Masses at St Canice’s on the weekend of 29/30 July. This is the weekend that we celebrate the Feast Day of St Ignatius, and a special leaving collection will be taken-up for the works in our Railaco sister parish.
Michael has written an extensive ‘report’ on his trip. He goes beyond sharing what’s going on with the Children’s Feeding Program, Mobile Medical Clinic, and Secondary School, details of which we’re fairly familiar. The aim of this ‘report’ is share more of the ‘back-story’ about conditions and life ‘on the front lines’ that he learned from first-hand experiences over ten days, meeting many Jesuits and speaking to other volunteers.
The Vision of the Jesuits up there is to see a Timor-Leste Church and Nation that is grounded in faith and justice of the gospel, and where the humanisation of life especially youth, women and children is included.You will read in Michael’s ‘report’ how the works of the Jesuits and volunteers allow marginalised families to grow in community, opportunity, and hope.
Please CLICK HERE to read Michael’s report: ‘The First Letter of Michael to the Caniceians’.
Photo Credit: Karl Kaldawi
2013 – Video sharing the Genesis of the St Canice/Railaco relationship
The new Railaco Parish church of Our Lady of Fatima is to be blessed and opened by the Bishop of Dili, His Lordship Bishop Virgilio do Carmo da Silva on October 7th this year to welcome the increasing numbers of people coming to Mass.The old church seen in the background will be used for much-needed parish Community activities.
The Report was introduced to the parishioners of St Canice’s at all Masses on the weekend of 15 and 16 July.
Click here to read Michael’s address.
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NEW RAILACO VIDEO – JUNE 2017
[…] St Canice’s KingsCross Sydney has enjoyed a sister parish relationship with Railaco Mission in East Timor for the past thirteen years. As we nourish our parish, we colour Timor’s future!” Our accompaniment allows Railaco’s marginalised families to grow in community, opportunity and hope. Our impact extends far beyond a simple nutritious meal, a medical check-up, and a class in school; we are allowing Railaco villagers to lead better lives now and for generations in the future. Our ongoing involvement keeps us aware; it reminds us of our privilege; and gives us the opportunity to gain in a spiritual way. Our life is enriched by the work that is done there! Parishioner Michael Musgrave, our lead Ambassador to Railaco, recently made his third visit to Timor. He was looking for answers to other questions that impact Australians attitudes towards East Timor today to better inform himself, and in turn to share with fellow Canice parishioners. Michael says, “When chatting with potential donors, I’m often asked ‘Why East Timor? Don’t we have enough needy people here at home to worry about?’; and ‘What is life really like up there in the villages?’ While living day-to-day with the Jesuits for ten days, answers to these and other questions evolved. My goal for the trip was primarily to gather new information about the kids, the school, and the mothers whom we help, and then to make a video to share with you. As the days rolled on, I became conscious of a burning inner desire to share more of what I was learning. I was hoping that with a little more awareness, more of us here at St Canice’s might be motivated to ‘climb on board’, to become ‘sowers of seed’, and become actively involved in raising funds to enable those on the front lines, to continue with their service to the poor. It may be a little ‘tongue in cheek’, but I labeled my report: ‘The First Letter of Michael to the Caniceians’.” The actual report can be read on the parish webpage. PLEASE CLICK HERE […]