In June, our Railaco Lead Ambassador, Michael Musgrave, travelled to East Timor 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.

In the video above, in a few minutes, Michael narrates what he has witnessed. His delight in the many improvements in delivery of the humanitarian programs since his last visit with Fr Chris, and Sue and Graeme Crabbe four years ago, is obvious.

Thanks Canice parishioners and friends for your ongoing support.

The special leaving collections at all Masses on the last weekend in July when we celebrated the Feast Day of St Ignatius, more than $10,000 was given in support of the Railaco Mission. Many thanks for your generosity.

The ‘back-story’

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’.

 

Many people ask. Why East Timor? We address this important question more fully in Chapter 2 of the ‘report’, but here is an extract:

“The emerging nation of East Timor is our nearest neighbour, only one hour by air from Darwin. . . .

Timor’s role in assisting Australian diggers stranded there fighting Japanese invaders in WWII is another important reason for Australians to extend friendship to the Timorese people. The Dara Monument in the hills overlooking Dili is testament to this friendship.

These brave Timorese provided food and protected the stranded Company of Australian soldiers of the ‘Sparrow Force’ as thousands of invading Japanese pushed south towards Australia.

Australia is a strong and free nation today, and spared, partly because of the bravery and friendship of these silent heroes of Timor.

Even seventy years on, we Australians owe the Timorese people a huge debt of gratitude as they continue working to build their fledgling independent nation.

In honouring the past – WE can nurture THEIR future.”

 

 

 

 

 

2013 – Video sharing the Genesis of the St Canice/Railaco relationship

 

Michael introduced the printed version of his ‘report’ 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 at all three weekend Masses.

NEW RAILACO VIDEO – JUNE 2017