Three of us from St Canice’s, Fr Steve Sinn, Duncan Campbell and Michael Musgrave set out for the journey to visit our sister parish at the Railaco Jesuit Mission East Timor. The sight of so many happy and well behaved kids of all ages lining up with tin plates in hand is very moving. They obviously love the meal served to them from the back of the 4WD. It is so touching to see some, as young as five, already with the responsibility for looking after a younger sibling, carrying and feeding the younger. Brother Dino was the hero when he showed them the new soccer ball and frisbee we brought along with us. Steve and Duncan gave the demonstration of throwing this weird-looking plastic disc and running all over the grass trying to catch it. The kids soon showed ‘em how.
RAILACO
Railaco Family gathering with Fr Steve Sinn SJ
Yesterday we were honoured to be invited to participate in an extended family gathering in a new Timorese traditional house.
All members of the extended family could come together, and any differences were able to be reconciled.
Young and old could share stories that linked them to one another and enabled them to understand that they belonged to a family.
This is our house, the house of God. God is our father and he gathers us together in this house.