(L-R) Apau, Calisto, Gustavo, Joao, Side, Isaias and Diego in the location of the new houses for Casa de Producao Audiovisual (CPA), established by the late Fr. Ruedi Hofmann, near Casait, Liquisa.

Seven East Timorese scholastics, Isaias Abilio Caldas, Gustavo Soares, Calisto Seco Colo, Diogo Carvalho, Paulo dos Santos, Sidelizio Pereira and Joao dos Santos went for apostolic home visit to East Timor from April 11 – May 23. Calisto went through Kupang, West Timor then to Oecussi, his hometown, where he stayed for two weeks.

On the first day, Major Superior Fr. John Mace, Fr Venancio Pereira and Sch Bert Boholst (PHI) brought the scholastics to see the new land of the Jesuit Novitiate in Hera. Then they visited the Jesuit Pre-novitiate house in Taibesi.

On April 12, each scholastic went to their respective homes and stayed there for two weeks. Then they proceeded to do their apostolic services in various Jesuit ministries. They went in pairs, each pair spending two weeks of experiencing two places, taking turns between Colegio Sao Jose, Railaku and Suai.

Their experiences were not merely about visiting, seeing and meeting; they were about reinforcement and refreshment of faith and vocation. They were encouraged to have a wider perspective about the mission and vision of the Society in East Timor and be in touch with their authenticity and identity. The experience became a source of inspiration for their growth as Jesuits.