On December 13, 2022, the vocations pastoral team, represented by Sr. Marian and Sr. Theresiani, visited a school in Fafinesu-TTU, NTT, Indonesia. There, the sisters held a meeting with 40 students who are about to graduate from middle school (medium maturity). Mr. Yohanes Seran, director of the school, was very open to the presence of the two sisters to help the students build faith and character and introduce our religious congregation.
At the first meeting, the sisters motivated the students to know their potentials as young people in the millennial era. The theme of the first meeting was "Young People Born to Fight". Through this theme, they became aware that God loves them personally and has given them many graces so that they can face all the challenges of life after graduation. In addition, students were invited to discover their personal vision and mission that will help them be passionate and focused on achieving their dreams.
Continued help is greatly needed, so a second meeting was held on January 28, 2023, to present various vocations in the life of the Church. This time the theme was "Answering a call is happiness, because calls come from God" (Pope Francis). The students were motivated not to be paralyzed by fear, exclusion, illusion and manipulation, but to experience the personal, concrete love of Jesus and to participate in Jesus' mission through various vocations, especially vocations to religious life. Three students felt invited to get to know the congregations better.
In addition to the visits to "SMAN Fafinesu", Sr. Marian and Sr. Theresiani organized a meeting with young people in the parish of Noemuti, about 35 km from the community of the Sisters of Divine Providence in Maubesi. The pastor and co-pastor as well as the OMC welcomed the arrival of the sisters very openly and kindly. About 75 young people attended the meeting and were very enthusiastic about sharing enriching life experiences with one another.
One of the participants reports: A young man had difficulties during his studies because he could not pay the semester fee and even had difficulties meeting his food needs. But he didn't lose heart, nor despaired. He sold his favorite guitar, which he always played to center on his talent. The proceeds from the guitar sale were used to pay tuition fees and buy food. His courageous and free spirit enabled him to defy his hardship. He was not attached to favorite things and dared to let go, in order to choose his life and future.
Many experiences were shared by the participants because the atmosphere was so familiar and full of fraternity. They are grateful because God accompanies them as young people in the struggle of life and gives them the strength not to give up so quickly.
(Author: Sr. Theresiani / Review: Sr. Marian & Sr. Leoni)