5 Volume 35 No. 3 | Spring 2025 Society Matters My time at Dorish Maru College, Box Hill, was transformative. Living and studying in a multicultural community in Australia didn’t just stretch me academically; it reshaped me emotionally and spiritually, preparing me for the global mission ahead. A major milestone came on March 25, 2011, when I professed my final vows as an SVD missionary. Just six months later, on October 1, 2011, I was ordained to the priesthood at St Pascal’s Chapel in Box Hill, Melbourne, Australia. It was a day filled with deep gratitude, joy, and a renewed sense of purpose. Surrounded by my SVD family and friends from the local and international communities, I stood at the altar fully aware that this was yet another of God’s surprising and beautiful gifts in my journey. Missionary Life in Timor-Leste: From Parish Ministry to Education and Leadership When submitting my country preferences for the mission, Timor-Leste was my third and least expected choice. Yet, that’s exactly where God sent me. Starting as an assistant parish priest in Uatucarbu, I quickly learned the art of grassroots ministry—listening, accompanying, and sharing in people’s faith struggles. Shortly after, I was assigned to teach at the Instituto Ciências Religiosas (ICR) (2013-2017), now part of Universidade Católica Timorense (UCT). Teaching awakened a hidden passion for education. Simultaneously, I took on roles in the media ministry as the SVD Regional Communications Coordinator, and later, as Regional Secretary and ASPAC Area Coordinator for Communications. These roles widened my horizon, introducing me to global Church communication initiatives. The Philippines: A New Mission Field in Communication and Media Another surprise came when I was sent for further studies in the Philippines. I completed a Master’s in Pastoral/Social Communication at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), (2017-2019). This program not only broadened my understanding of media and its role in Church mission but also deepened my passion for using communication as a tool for evangelisation and social transformation. Encouraged by mentors and supported by my SVD superiors, I pursued Doctoral studies in Development Communication at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) from 2020 to 2024. During this time, God opened yet another unexpected door. I was invited to serve at the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) as an editor and later Chief Editor for Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), one of the Church’s major continental broadcasting networks. This role allowed me to bring together mission and media on a truly global scale—sharing faith stories, amplifying marginalised voices, and engaging with diverse audiences across Asia. A New Chapter: Rome and Beyond—Trusting in God’s Surprises Today, I find myself standing at the threshold of yet another unexpected chapter in my missionary journey—this time at the SVD Generalate in Rome. Stepping into my new role as Communications Coordinator for the SVD, I recognise both daunting challenges and exciting opportunities. We minister in a world overloaded with digital noise and misinformation. The digital divide across mission areas poses ongoing difficulties in reaching all communities equally.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTQ0MTI=