I AM CALLED TO FAITHFULLY SERVE PEOPLE

My Family Background

I was born into a simple Catholic family; my parents were small farmers in a village in

Samigaluh, Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta. I am the first of two children. As a child, I experienced

happiness with my family and relatives. Like other children in the village, I lived an ordinary

life, herding goats, collecting firewood, and occasionally playing in the river to catch fish.

The religious life in my family was very good; my parents are role models in prayer and

devotion to the Virgin Mary, and making pilgrimages to places like Sendang Sono is a

spiritual practice for us. My mother was very prayerful and instilled this habit in her children.

I spent my childhood and early adolescence in my family. I attended elementary school in my

village and then went to Pangudi Luhur Boro Junior High School until 1986. After that, I

continued to Pangudi Luhur van Lith Teacher Training School, both managed by the FIC

Brothers, where the seeds of my calling as an FIC Brother grew.

My Calling as an FIC Brother

The beginning of my calling to become an FIC Brother cannot be separated from my

encounters with the brothers who taught me in school. In junior high school, I met Bro. Hugo

Sutrisno, Bro. Frans Mubiratno, and Brother Yulianus Suryatno, all FIC. Their attention and

expertise in teaching English left a strong impression on me.

I had more encounters with the brothers when I lived in the Dormitory at Teacher Training

Pangudi Luhur van Lith in Muntilan. I met various Brothers with different characters, from

very strict and neat to simple and close to the students. I got to know Bros. Heribertus

Sumarjo, Stephanus Parno, and Yohanes Sumardi, all of whom inspired me to dare to apply

to become a brother candidate at that time. I started my initial formation immediately after

my Teacher Training in 1989. Together with 19 young men, I underwent the formation with

the motivation that I wanted to become a better person day by day.

In 1992, when we made temporary vows, 13 of us remained as FIC Brothers. In my first year

as a young brother, I was assigned to the Jakarta Community in 1992/1993. After six years in

temporary vows, I made my profession for life in 1998.

My Apostolic Experience

I had my apostolic experience in education and personal development studies. I began as an

elementary school teacher in Jakarta in 1992. After studying English Education for four years

in 1998, I became a high school teacher in Jakarta. From 1999 to 2005, I worked as a teacher

and dormitory staff at Pangudi Luhur van Lith Senior High School in Muntilan. From 2005 to

2010, I was a teacher and principal at a junior high school in Klaten. I pursued further studies

from 2010 to 2015 for a Master of Education degree. From 2015-2016, I was the principal of

Pangudi Luhur Junior High School in Deltamas, and from 2016 to 2020, I also headed a

Primary School in Semarang. My last assignment was at Pangudi Luhur Elementary School

in Yogyakarta from 2020 to 2024, where I was the principal. Reflecting on my life as a

teacher who worked among children and young people, I found that being an educator is

primarily about being a companion to the children and young people interacting with me. My

presence among them allows them to create situations where discovering themselves and

their talents can proceed better.

I Am Called to Be Faithful

My calling to be an FIC Brother is not because I am capable or have many abilities to give to

the Congregation and others. The calling allows me to be faithful over time in facing my

imperfect life, continually improving myself, and being a better person. I realize that I came

to the Congregation with nothing, not even much experience in life, because at that time, I

had just graduated from teacher training. I was enriched and given various possibilities to

contribute to the Congregation throughout my education. Therefore, I am grateful for all the

enrichment and personal development I have received. This is my awareness as I accept the

new assignment as a General Council member. Only faithfulness and the desire to give what I

have will enable me to accept this mission. Therefore, only the prayers and support of the

brothers will strengthen me in carrying out the tasks ahead.

Leadership Experience in the Congregation

My leadership experience in the Congregation has been chiefly in apostolic leadership. I have

had little involvement in leadership within the Congregation, but I have been asked to lead

communities in Randusari and Yogyakarta.

In leading the apostolic work and the community, I adhere to the principle that my presence

there is to be a companion to those under my responsibility. Leadership is not something to

keep for my pride, but it is a means to help others achieve the goals they strive for, both in

apostolic work and in the community.

Conclusion

Thus, my calling as an FIC Brother is not for personal success but a path to continually be

faithful to God’s call to serve and to be a companion to my fellow brothers. May I continue to

serve the Congregation with all my heart, with dedication and love for my beloved

Congregation.