SCJ community hosts refugees from volcanic eruption
NOVEMBER 5: Holy Hour at the SCJ student community in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, was interrupted Thursday night by the eruption of nearby Mt. Merapi. Soon, everything near the student community was covered in ash.
“The lights went out several times last night,” wrote Fr. Sigit Pranoto, SCJ, “At midnight, the doors of the house shook and the students ran out.”
A state of emergency has been declared for the area. During the night those close to the mountain fled. “There was an atmosphere of panic and the road became crowded.” Losing control in the rain of ash and gravel many of those fleeing got tangled up in accidents.
“This morning everything is covered in dust,” said Fr. Sigit. “During morning prayer and Eucharist the ash continued to rain down and even entered the chapel. Some wore masks.”
The SCJ school had an anniversary celebration planned for the weekend, but all activities have been cancelled so that the community can focus its efforts on assisting refugees from the areas most significantly impacted by the volcano.
The local hospital asked the SCJ Skolastikat to take in mentally handicapped refugees as well as patients from a nursing home affected by the eruption. The community set up room for 150 mentally and physically disabled patients; as of November 5, approximately 100 refugees were being hosted by the SCJs.
“Meanwhile, the families of our several of our SCJs have also been displaced,” said Fr. Sigit.
Photos and more information about the volcano are available on the province website. Go to:
when I read that news.. I feel for Indonesia, because I was there for two months, everything that is explained here are close to my heart. I pray that Lord will have Mercy on them and all will be settled soon.
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