Right on this day, August 14, 2024, 100 years ago, the five Sisters of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary (SSCC) arrived in Muntok, Bangka from the Netherlands. They are Fr. Theodosius Herkenrath sscc [Apostolic Prefecture of Bangka Bilitung], Fr. Isfried Maijer sscc, Fr. Marcellinus van Soest sscc, Brother Gerard Jeanson sscc and Brother Antonius Bruijns sscc.
To commemorate these 5 conferences, with the initiative, Fr. Fr. SSCC Indonesia, Fr. Pankras Olak Kraeng SSCC, Fr. Economist - Fr. Alex Dato, Fr. Baltasar Mili SSCC (Prospective Priest of Santa Maria Parish of Bintang Laut Toboali), Fr. Siprianus Smakur Tukan SSCC (Prospective Parish of St. Stephen Tanah Siang Selatan - Diocese of Palangka Raya) with his Entourage, departed from Toboali (South Bangka) to Muntok-West Bangka about 269 Km - about 5 hours by car. The group consisted of 5 children who played the role of five Confraters who came first in Muntok, the children were accompanied by accompanying teachers, several parishioners from Toboali, PRR Sisters and KKS sisters.
A brief ceremony was held on the beach when the early missionaries arrived. This simple ceremony was held at 10.45 AM, walking wisely, smoothly but bringing emotion, the spirit to commemorate the burning missionary spirit, as children of the cross with the spirit of Zelotism. Hopefully, the spirit of this mission will also reach the lives of SSCC Indonesia members. After a short ceremony, the group returned to the Catholic Church of the Parish of the Blessed Virgin Mary Patron of the Muntok Seafarers to unite all of them in the celebration of the Eucharist at 11.30 AM in the courtyard of the Cave of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Patron of the Muntok Seafarers led by the Provincial of Indonesia: Fr. Pankras Olak Kraeng sscc, in a concurrent manner with the Head Priest of Muntok Parish: Father Marco, Father Vicar: Father Raymond, Father Alex Dato sscc, and Father Baltasar Mili sscc. In his homily, the Provincial Father emphasized the spirit of the missionaries who are also remembered today with the whole church celebrating the Martyr Saint Maximilian Maria Kolbe with the three T's, namely: Thank You, Talita and Trust. The Provincial Father's invitation for all of us to continue the missionary spirit in our lives and work.
The parish priest expressed his gratitude to all who attended and continued with photos and hospitality. A really encouraging event. Simple but reinforced, so that historical stories can become the fruit of speech in the future.
08/15/2024