During 2019, ten teachers from Catholic schools across Western Sydney were commissioned as Teacher Ambassadors and travelled to the Emera Region in Timor. The journey was an opportunity to immerse themselves in the life of the community while building relationships and learning about local challenges and culture.
The Teacher Ambassadors are part of the Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta FIAT program. FIAT stands for Faith in Action Team and is a small group of teachers in every school who work together to offer voluntary faith formation experiences for students within their school community.
The Diocese of Parramatta has had a long relationship with Timor through various fundraising initiatives as well as a previous Teacher Training Program in Same. The Teacher Ambassadors visited many remote communities and schools in collaboration with the ministry of Father Luan Le, a Capuchin Friar who previously ministered at Holy Family Parish, Emerton.
With the purpose of exploring and developing this partnership in line with the Diocesan Mission focus on connecting Faith, Learning and Life, the teachers from five Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta primary and secondary schools interacted with the people of Emera as they shared liturgical celebrations and experienced daily life in the villages. Most children are unable to attend school in Emera, so the teachers led various art, educational, sporting and cultural experiences in the villages, much to the delight of the children and their parents.
What Teacher Ambassadors had to say about travelling to Timor Leste
The teachers found the sharing of Timorese history, culture, faith and the work of the Catholic Church extremely inspirational and made comments such as
This experience has now paved the way for both staff and students to participate in future Timor Leste immersions ensuring a partnership with the People of Emera that is based on mutual respect, a quest for knowledge and a shared faith.
Teacher Ambassadors
- John XXIII Primary School - Lauren Hartz and Jonelle Gois
- St Monica’s Primary - Catherine Shaw and Angela Wedesweiler
- Emmaus Catholic College - Joneil Yuzon and Lisa Dimarco
- Xavier Catholic College - Isabella Plust and Joanne Taylor
- Loyola Catholic College - Ryan Reyes
- CEDP - Donna Dempsey