Pematangsiantar, Indonesia, April 2020 – The retreat and first professions at the novitiate community in Pematangsiantar, Indonesia, took place at a time when the world is suffering from the Covid-19/corona virus. Almost all regions and countries have imposed restrictions for lock down or advised people to at least stay at home as much as possible. These conditions did not reduce the enthusiasm and yearning of the novices to have their retreat week to prepare for their first profession.
The retreat took place at the novitiate community in Pematangsiantar from April 16 to 21, 2020 with the theme: “I am happy to walk with Jesus”. Topics of the retreat were “the vows as a commitment to follow Christ” and “the vows in the reality of our world today”. These topics were combined into a ‘vitamin supplement’ to help the young brothers to grow in building up their personalities. The supervisor of the retreat was the novice master, Brother Paskalis Wangga.
The second year novices did their first profession on April 24, 2020. The Eucharistic celebration of the first profession was led by Father Leo Pold Purba, OFMCap, Parish Priest of St. Laurentius in Pematangsiantar. Brother Nikodemus Tala Lamak, CMM (deputy provincial), representing the provincial superior of Indonesia, received the first profession of the 6 novices: the Brothers Markus Huar Noning, Fridolinus Fanu, Gabriel Kopong Leaj, Stevanus Amabayo, Valentinus Naitili and Albertus Mendröfa.
Brother Nikodemus Tala Lamak encouraged the newly professed brothers to remain faithful in carrying out their vocation. He also asked them to be a good example for others. He expressed his hope that the presence of these brothers, who will soon be transferred to other communities to start working from there, will bring a new and fresh colour in their new community.
Brother Paskalis Wangga CMM, Indonesia