Hajja Salesjana April June 2018

33 which one brings Holy Communion to those who are ill and homebound. I must confess that I was very moved. I read the letter a few times over, and I contemplated the wedding rings, the sign of their spousal love. I promised myself that once the donation had been exchanged for money, I would bring it personally to one of the poorest mission places. With it, we will be able to help some very poor families with their basic necessities and also help educate a little girl of scarce means. (I thought of doing this because I imagined that since the donor is a woman, she would be happy to know that her offering would go to educate a little girl so that she could have the possibility of a better future.) I am also convinced that the rice that will be bought with this offering will also have a very special value added to it. Finally, some “good news” We live in a globalized world that has many societies in which only bad news is broadcast: tragedies, natural disasters, violent deaths, etc. And the thought comes: “Why can’t what is so profoundly human and which fills one with good sentiments – such as the story I just recounted to you – not be favored above the others and become news? These things ought to be news!” So that is precisely what I have decided to do: make it news. And I do so because I am sure it will make you as happy as it does me. Greetings from East Timor I am in East Timor as I write this to you, in the midst of very simple people, men and women living in rural areas – filled with much goodness and faith, and very experienced in suffering and sacrifice. Very soon I will celebrate Holy Mass for a gathering of people in Fatumaca with the members of the Association of Mary Help of Christians. I can see how the Salesian charism is putting down profound roots among these good, religious, and open people. This is also our world. It, too, is news. I wish all of you every grace and blessing.