This is the story of Ika, a teacher, at NOSSEF secondary school. Prof Francisca Bui (Ika) goes way beyond the call of duty in her role of teaching English and Malay (Indonesian) at NOSSEF. It’s often difficult for us here at St Canice’s in Australia to understand the complexities of
RAILACO
Michael returns from Railaco
Talk at St Ignatius Feast Day 4 August 2024 I’ve just returned from a very full week in East Timor spending valuable time both in Railaco and chatting around the dining table with many other Jesuits at the Jesuit Residence in Dili. The conversations were quite revealing and touched on
Half Yearly Report from Railaco Jan-Jun 2024
Education does not produce immediate results in
one go, particularly in a country that is facing
challenges in basic education and parenting
education. I hope our current graduates will
become good parents who can raise children well-
rounded in terms of intelligence and personality.
And when the next generations study at this future
NOSSEF, I believe they will have greater impact
for the sustainable development of Timor-Leste.
Without this intermediate process, I’m afraid future
generations will lose out on the Catholic faith and
authentic personal and community growth.
Authentic education gradually creates true freedom
and maturity to adapt to changing times without
losing sight of unchanging values. I don’t oppose
producing results with calculable effectiveness, and
it is still important to “form useful individuals for
society.” However, it is also essential to yield fruits,
to “educate persons who can transform society,”
which is compatible with effectiveness or
efficiency.
We never forge
Continuing the good work in Railaco
Since those early days, we in this little Jesuit parish of St Canice’s have raised over $1.1 million. Our friends and neighbours in Railaco are so grateful.
21 years on, this long-standing relationship is evolving.
In the coming year, we will continue to fund the children’s feeding Program for the little children from low-income families in three remote communities around Railaco.
Our major efforts will be focussed on providing a good secondary education in our parish secondary school Nossef for Railaco’s rural youth.
2023 Report from Railaco
For 20 years, the donations from St Canice’s Parish have been helping to improve the health, nutrition, and access to education of Railaco communities nearby with a focus on the most disadvantaged families, children, and youth.
The support of St Canice’s is ensuring a strong education for senior school students at NOSSEF that leads into improved employment opportunities and income support for their families and communities.
Fr EJ Gerilla SJ Hails the ‘St Canice Sisterhood’
“As we enter the next phase of our 20-year relationship, we recognise that much in Railaco has changed, and St Canice’s has a cohort of new parishioners too. Our ‘sisterhood’ must remain meaningful. On return to Timor, I will form a committee to gather stories to present a full picture of what St Canice’s has made possible, and to address how we sustain this ministry for the next period of years”, he said.
Report from NOSSEF Railaco – 2nd Half 2023
Gratitude to our generous donors
First of all, on behalf of NOSSEF Catholic Secondary school of Railaco, I wish to express our gratitude to our generous friends and benefactors. In particular, the Jesuit parish of St Canice, Sydney, has always shown generous forms of solidarity with us through constant prayer and donations.
𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝑹𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒐
We welcome the newly appointed parish priest of Railaco, Fr. Roberto Madeira Encarnacão, SJ. He will be installed as parish priest next Sunday 7th January 2024 by Most Rev. Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, DD, Cardinal of Timor-Leste.
St Ignatius Day – Community comes together
“Why can’t all Sundays capture the essence of days like this?”
Our little community of St Canice’s comes out on a sunny Sunday morning in numbers, not only to celebrate the feast of St Ignatius but to support our sister parish in Railaco East Timor. After Mass, we mingle and chat with old friends over morning tea.
Raphael speaks of Railaco
Much of our time was spent with the children at NOSSEF – the school in Railaco. The separate boys’ and girls’ dormitories for boarders at NOSSEF are life-changing. Without them, many students would have to travel upward of three hours each day to get to and from school.
It was a delight to teach the students in Railaco as they were all eager to learn and to loved hearing our stories about Australia. (I am sure our teachers at Riverview wished we were always so attentive in class).