Fr Bong – Catholic Parish of St. Canice

St Canice’s raise over $1 million for Railaco

St Canice’s raise over $1 million for Railaco

Thank you to the incredible generosity from the Sydney based Jesuit parish, St Canice, who has been a phenomenal supporter and companion to its sister Parish in Railaco, Timor-Leste since 2004. During their recent St Ignatius Feast Day appeal, St Canice’s was able to reach a significant milestone of raising over $1 million for Railaco – thanks to 18 years of commitment and steadfast support from the St Canice’s community. “St Canice community, thank you! You found us at our rock bottom and you lifted us by feeding our hungry, providing service for our sick, and providing education to our youth! Thank you and God bless you for following Him in the mission," said Fr Bong Abad Santos SJ, who runs the mobile medical clinic in Railaco.

Generosity beyond bounds – Thank you.

Generosity beyond bounds – Thank you.

Fr Bong writes to us from Railaco: St Canice community, thank you! You have made us millionaires! We are your poor sister community that by God's grace made rich! Our relationship goes back to 2004 when you found us at our rock bottom and you lifted us by feeding our hungry, providing service for our sick, & providing education to our youth! Thank you & God bless you for following Him in the mission!!!

Human Rights Award for our Railaco friend, Fr Bong.

Human Rights Award for our Railaco friend, Fr Bong.

he President of the Republic of Timor Leste, Francisco Guterres, conferred the ‘Sergio Vieira de Mello’ Award for the promotion of Human Rights to Fr Bong of Our sister parish in Railaco Mission for the excellent service of promoting rights of the child to food and nutrition with the Children’s Feeding Program.

Railaco mobile medical clinic

Railaco mobile medical clinic

The mobile clinic was started in 2004 by the Jesuits in Timor-Leste with support from the benefactors and donors of St Canice's Parish in Sydney, Australia. Jesuit priest and doctor Fr Bong Abad Santos SJ and his team travel to different remote villages to attend to the sick and to preside over Masses.

Bonifacio’s First Vows – the fruit of our longstanding relationship with Railaco

Bonifacio’s First Vows – the fruit of our longstanding relationship with Railaco

Among the many good fruits cultivated by the two parishes is Jesuit scholastic, Bonifacio Bano Lay Ribeiro SJ. This 23-year-old Railaco parishioner has just taken his first vows as a Jesuit. Bonifacio first experienced the St Canice / Railaco relationship as a child benefitting from the Children’s Feeding Program, and also studied and graduated from the Railaco Jesuit Secondary School, NOSSEF.

Letter from Railaco – Fr Roberto Boholst SJ 15 April 2016

Looking Back with Gratitude: Complicated Twists and Surprising Turns in Railaco Mission Roberto Boholst SJ Friday April 15, 2016 I was all set to bring my last box to Railaco when we received the letter of the Bishop who decided to entrust the management of the school to the lay teachers. I was very upset