TLC News UpdateMAY 2017

COMPANIONSThe Catholic Communities ofGrovely, Mitchelton & Samford

Timor-Leste

Projects in Liquiça: TLC update

FOCA, the highly motivated association Catholic Youth is continuing its good work with young people in Liquiça. Timor-Leste Companions, on behalf of our parish, have donated funds to support their work, in particular for technology resources and internet connectivity. This will assist young people undertaking computer literacy studies.

TLC have funded the purchase of computers for the four parish primary schools: St John de Brito Primary, Maubara, Aipelo as well as Tibar, another school in the Liquiça district.

TLC continues to support a young seminarian, Aniceto, with his seminarian fees.

In the pipeline...

A kindergarten run by the PAR Sisters: support from the TLC contribute to provision of adequate meals, teacher wages and teacher materials as well as play materials for the children.

1. Youth Parliament - focussing on leadership, public speaking and politics2. Ally, Ficky and Assis in the youth group attending Mass.3. Special celebratory Mass in Maubara.4. and 5. Easter Mass wih Fr Ernestro

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Life in LiquiçaAlly, Ficky and Assi, our three visitors to Brisbane in 2016, are back into life in Liquiça, busy with school, church, friends and celebrations. Ficky shared her thoughts on life in Liquiça:

“I have a lots of Friends and I like to be involved in many Groups or Organization like Youth Parliament, Youth Group and now im also involve in Rotary Clup (Rypen).

In this Organization Rotary Club has two Branch: Rypen and Ryla. Rypen is for Senior high and Ryla is for University I hope that when I pass to university I will involve in Ryla. This organization [Rotary] has a big commitment, vision and mission how to improve the capacity and mentality for the youth.”

Ficky articulates her vision for herself, her community and her country:

“I’m thinking about how can I change people’s mind to love environment... you know I like an adventure, love nature like sea and mountain.

I want to be a lider in our municipality like local authority— how can I can have a big plan for our municipality. In fact now we must prepare to become to decentralized and we will have to be independent and shouldn’t ask help to capital (Dili). We will help our self.”

Ficky is enthusiastic in support of her community, and her language and public speaking skills are benefitting the St John de Brtio parish and school:

“I go to mass evry day at 6:00 am with my twin (sister). After mass we went to the clasroom. Our school is close to the church.

English mass on Monday and Father Ernestro say to me to read the lecture, when I read some people proud of me because I did it well. And on Wednesday is Portuguese mass I also read the lecture because I like reading and on Saturday is Indonesian Mass I’m happy to participate.

In our school our Junior High need us Assis and me to help them translate Tetum to English. We translated what we understood

Now Ally is having a English Course and myself too. Assis is having a Portuguese course.

People glad with our trip. Everyday they always ask how about school or life in Australia and I’m so happy to tell. Asked from different people.”

The Parish Dinner Dance is organised and hosted by the Timor-Leste Companions (TLC), a small team of parishioners. There are several ways you can help the TLC and contribute to this wonderful community event!

Donations for sister-parish fundraising raffleWe are seeking suitable items as prizes for our fundraising raffle at the Parish Dinner Dance on Saturday, 10 June.  If you or any of your friends or family are able to donate new/unused electrical goods, household items or gift vouchers it would be much appreciated. All monies raised are sent directly to our sister parish of St John de Brito in Liquiça. Any enquiries, please contact the parish office or Martin on 0434 724 897.

Volunteers—we need you!This year Swagman’s Spit Roast are providing their trademark hearty roast meal and we are seeking volunteers to help in preparing soup and dessert to ensure you have plenty of energy to dance the night away!

If you are able to do some cooking from your own home or at a working bee in the next month, we would love to hear from you! Please contact Sarah on sarahonline80@gmail.com or 3855 8235 for more information.

Timor Sea Maritime Boundary Dispute – QTSJ updateFollowing Australia agreeing to terminate the CMAT’s agreeement (which locked Timor-Leste into an unfair 50yr agreement) and Timor-Leste dropping its spying case against Australia, both sides are now involved in conciliation talks.

Although they have been called to arrive at an outcome by September, firstly there are no guarantees that an agreement will be reached and that Australia will finally negotiate fairly.

We are there for still lobbying for the Australian Government to finalise a fair and permanent Maritime Boundary between Australia and Timor-Leste based on the median line principle in accordance with international law

A PETITION to The House of Representatives has been produced and will be available for signing after all Masses. We ask for your support in signing the PETITION. Alternatively, the petition can be signed online at timfo.org

Terrace Timor Network FestaThe annual Terrace Timor Network Festa is an extravaganza of food, wine, music and the best of both Terrace and Timorese culture. Tickets are $50 per person. Venue: Tennyson Boat Shed.

To book tickets, visit: trybooking.com/270395

Get ready for the Parish Dinner Dance!When: Saturday, 10 June, 7pm–11pmWhere: St Mary MacKillop Centre, St William’s SchoolCost: Tickets are $45 per person.

Come as a single, a couple, or join a table of up to 10 people. Enjoy a delicious meal from the always popular local Swagmans Spit Roast and great music from Sparkz Duo. Reasonably priced drinks and raffle tickets will be available for purchase on the night. Have a dance and a laugh, meet up with old friends and new. It promises to be a great night out!

The Dinner Dance is an important biennial fundraising event and all proceeds go directly in support of our sister parish of St John de Brito in Liquiça.

Registering and buying tickets in person:

Register and purchase tickets with a Timor-Leste Companions member after Mass at Grovely, Samford or Mitchelton.

Registering and buying tickets online:

1. Visit the Grovely-Samford Mitchelton parishes website: www.gsmparishes.com.au/events/parish-dinner-dance

Register to purchase your ticket(s) using the online form and select from the option of cash, cheque of EFT payment methods. After registering online, we ask that you make the required payment. Upon receipt of payment, you’ll receive an email confirming your ticket allocation.

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2. For credit card payment*, please register and pay directly via the Dinner Dance Trybooking link: www.trybooking.com/PQAR

Bank details for payment by EFT:

Acc name: Timor Leste Companions BSB: 064 786 Acc no.: 0065 2010 3

For ticketing enquiries contact:

Clare Locke, clare@clocke.com.au or 0414 650 546

Timor-Leste Companions is grateful for the generous donation of $810

from the residents of the independent living units at St Joseph’s (Mitchelton Campus of St Vincent’s Health Care).

Thank you for your support!