ABOUT US Home History F

In 1998, Our Father Founder and Superior General, the Very Rev FR RICHARD HO LUNG, MOP, was invited to the Archdiocese of ENDE FLORES, Indonesia, by the late Archbishop Longinus Da Cunha.

Fr. Richard visited Indonesia that same year. However circumstances did not allow further progress - not until 2008 when Fr. Charles Maria Susai, MOP and Bro. Augusto, MOP, visited the Diocese of RUTENG at the invitation of the late Bishop Eduardus Sangsun, SVD. Having seen the increasing demands of the many poor and suffering people in Ende Flores, two years later Fr. Brian Kerr set off together with Br. Roshan Beck, MOP, to identify a location for our Monastery and Apostolic work. On June 3, 2010, the MOP pioneer team of Bro. Emmanuel Kagaba, MOP, Bro. Nerlito Dioneda Jr, MOP and Bro. Ronel Babida, MOP, set out to establish the Mission. They arrived on the Feast of Corpus Christi, June 6, 2010. On January 29, 2011, the founding members were joined by Br. Joey De la Cruz, MOP.

In July 2010, soon after entering our rented house where we presently reside, children from the neighborhood started coming to the Monastery. Most them come hungry and will not leave without getting something to eat. We responded to Jesus’ call “You give them something to eat…Mt 14:16” by providing snacks for them. Thereafter we started teaching them English and Catechism. The number has been growing rapidly. However we have presently limited it to 50 Children. Although there are a lot of demands, we are unable to reach out to all because our mission is new with few resources. In addition, we have a feeding program for malnourished children on a weekly basis.

We also have house visitation to the neighbouring poor families to pray and encourage them. We also have been requested by the local parish to minister communion services for the sick and elderly. This we do every Sunday and whenever there is demand.

On September 29, 2010 , the Feast of Archangels, eight (8) of the candidates entered their Aspirancy, the first stage of formation in the Missionaries of the Poor. Many more young men from all over Indonesia are hopefully coming forward to dedicate their lives to the service of the poorest of the poor as Missionaries of the Poor.

Another remarkable event in our mission here was the Christmas treat for 300 Children. This was the first ever Christmas treat here in Labuan Bajo. Despite the limited resources that we have, this brought the joy of the baby Jesus to the many poor children whose Christmas would otherwise have been no different from any other day.

We have also been blessed by the visit of our Regional Superior , Fr. Ambrose Kulandairaj, MOP, on the 29^th January 2011 . His visit was a blessing and another witnessing to our simple life as he went about visiting several places to see what are the needs of the poor. He also endeavored to identify a future property for our community.

Our mission is somewhat being hindered by constant travels to renew our visas. Transportation is also expensive and having no vehicle to facilitate our travel is a constant problem. However, since our arrival the Mission has been growing rapidly as we spread the love of God and the life and works of the Missionaries of the Poor.

You can help us by sponsoring any of the following plans. Help us to spread the love of God to the abandoned and suffering poor here in Indonesia .

Near term operating costs
Purchases of land
A vehicle to facilitate brothers’ travels and ministry.
Building construction (assistance with building, design, funding for materials);
Construction of a religious home (Monastery) for the brothers.
Construction of a home for children with special needs, the disabled and mentally challenged.
Construction of a basic school and hostel for the many children who are unable to get
Feeding programmes for the many malnourished children.
Sponsorship for children who will be enrolled for education.
Long term funding towards formation of brothers

SKETCH OF MISSION PLAN: