- svd-prms
- / IDR
- / Mission Animation / SSpS
SVD and SSpS Collaborate for a Fruitful Integrated Mission Animation in Ruteng
The initiative was held in celebration of the 150th Jubilee of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) and the Year of Transformation of the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS).
A total of 57 SVD and SSpS missionaries served as facilitators for the four-day mission program, which included a wide range of pastoral, ecological, social, and spiritual activities such as Bible literacy, tree planting, Scripture sharing, local food processing, handicraft workshops, human trafficking awareness campaigns, the Way of the Cross, and Eucharistic Adoration.
The event involved active participation from parish leaders, including members of the Parish Pastoral Council (DPP), Parish Finance Council (DKP), Sub-Parish Leaders (DPS), Catholic Youth (OMK), as well as students from elementary, junior high, and vocational schools.
Members of the Basic Ecclesial Communities (KBG) also took part in several key sessions, especially those focused on local food and handicraft production, and the anti-human trafficking awareness drive.
Fr. Fabianus Ngama, SVD, representing the SVD Ruteng provincial leadership, emphasized that the program was designed to rekindle the original missionary spirit brought by early Divine Word missionaries to the region.
“As we mark 150 years of SVD mission, this initiative reminds us of the zeal of our founding missionaries. We hope this same missionary fire continues to burn in the hearts of the faithful here,” Fr. Fabianus said.
A particularly engaging aspect of the program was the hands-on training in producing virgin coconut oil and preparing traditional snacks using local ingredients like cassava and taro. The sessions drew enthusiastic participation, especially from women and young girls.
Others showed great interest in crafting rosaries and bracelets, while the boys eagerly joined a creative project repurposing discarded materials into decorative lighting.
The results of these workshops were showcased in a mini exhibition that marked the culmination of the program.
Firman Vitalis, a Catholic youth participant, expressed joy at learning valuable life skills that could also support fundraising for their local youth ministry.
“I’m proud and grateful to learn how to turn local produce into food products. This skill can help us generate income for our activities,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the SSpS West Flores leadership, Sr. Melania Erni, SSpS, praised the program’s success. She noted that despite poor road conditions leading to the parish, participant enthusiasm remained high, evident in their strong attendance and engagement throughout the event.
Sr. Melania also urged local government officials to address infrastructure concerns, pointing out that the region holds great agricultural potential but lacks access to adequate transportation and market systems.
Parish priest Fr. Petrus Du’e, SVD, thanked the organizing team for the impactful mission outreach. He highlighted the value of the practical skills imparted and noted the significance of the initiative in promoting vocations.
“This mission program has truly benefited our parishioners, especially in developing local livelihood skills. I also hope it inspires more young people from this parish to consider religious life. The parish has been here nearly 100 years, yet we’ve had only one SVD priest so far,” said the priest from Ngada.
The Integrated Mission Animation not only reawakened the missionary heritage of the SVD and SSpS but also brought hope, empowerment, and inspiration to the local community—an enduring testimony to the transformative power of mission.
Daniel Fallo, SVD
IDR Communications Coordinator
