There are many fine traditions that surround Christmas. From the most pious priest to the most adamant atheist, there’s one tradition that just about everyone seems to get behind: lamenting the appearance of Christmas merchandise in shops during mid-October.
Every year, John Paul College, in Frankston, Victoria, gives approximately 12 students the opportunity to travel to Timor-Leste.
My life until I was 12 or 13 was like, what seemed to me to be the perfect life”, recalls Steph, now in her early twenties, a pensive look on her face. “I had heaps of friends; my family was awesome; I loved being at school, I loved being at home. And then, yeah, once I hit 13, my parents split up and I learnt more about the world and realized my little bubble wasn’t everything.”
I’ve been involved with the Salesians for the past 5 years, having encountered them at just the right time.
Xavier Quinn is a current Cagliero Volunteer in Timor-Leste. His Salesian journey started much earlier however, having grown up with close connections to the Salesian family all his life.
