September 19, 2018.
This was the day the Augustinian Recollect missionaries first arrived in Indonesia.
Almost six years later, the mission has flourished in this country where almost 85% of its population is Muslim.
Last September 5, the parishioners of St. Augustine of Hippo Parish in West Kalimantan participated in the Mass presided by Pope Francis on the occasion of his pontifical trip to Asia and Oceania.
The missionary community, which is composed of Fr. Russell Lapidez, Fr. Jovy Gallego and Fr. Ken Oliver LaoThe parish has achieved an important integration in the Archdiocese of Pontianak, and has carried out an evangelizing work centered on the rapprochement with the local communities. The inauguration of St. Augustine of Hippo Parish, located in Ledo, in the region of Kebupaten Bengkayang, in 2022, was a key moment in this process, and offered a meeting point for Catholics in a remote and difficult to access region.
Fr. Jovy Gallegoone of the missionaries in Indonesia, told that after these years working as a missionary, I have come to realize that smelling like sheep is an inevitable consequence of serving God.
It is physically exhausting, but enriching for the soul; tiring but rewarding. .
Gallego también ha explicado que la misión que desempeñan es nuestra esperanza y oración que nuestro pequeño esfuerzo humano como sus pastores sea bendecido por Dios y que podamos acercarlos más a Jesús, el Buen Pastor.
“We share their hopes, their tears and joys, and together we offer everything to God during the Eucharist. These experiences have shown me that the Church leaves no one behind on the way to God.”
Fr. Jovy Gallego, one of the missionaries in Indonesia, shared his experience of serving on the peripheries: The simplicity of life of the people, their willingness to help, their enthusiasm for the faith and their strong dependence on God are great testimonies that the Church is present, alive and growing, even on the margins.
In addition, Fr.
Gallego emphasized how rewarding it has been to be integrated into the daily life of the local communities: Often, we have to stay with them for one or two nights due to difficulties on the ground.
At those times, we share their hopes, their tears and joys, and together we offer everything to God during the Eucharist. These experiences have shown me that the Church leaves no one behind on the road to God. .
The commitment of the missionaries has been recognized by both the local Church and the community.
Despite geographical challenges, such as inaccessible roads and having to travel on motorcycles or boats to reach the farthest missions, the religious have managed to create a space of faith and hope for the faithful.
This spirit of synodality and service, rooted in the Augustinian charism, has been essential in strengthening the Catholic community in a nation where Catholics represent barely 3% of the population.
With the arrival of the fourth member, Fr. Niel Joseph BayganIn the month of November, the Augustinian Recollects hope to continue to expand their mission, offering a witness of faith, fraternity and compassion, inspired by the words of Pope Francis and the charism of our Order in the people of Indonesia.
