(Dec. 28, 2011) In Indonesia, about 200 families in Ende archdiocese have donated
almost nine tons of rice to families, widows and the needy on Flores Island during
the holiday season. “We work with parish priests and Protestant pastors to help the
distribution. We believe that parish priests will really hand it down to widows, orphans
and the disabled,” said Yansen Budiman, who led the collection of donated rice. Budiman
said families have provided donations of rice for about a decade, with local business
owners asked to provide up to 10 sacks for distribution to the poor. “This is our
call to share the yoke of our brothers and sisters who are in need,” Budiman said. Fr.
Ambrosius Nanga, parish priest of St Mary Church in Wolonio, said some of the rice
was distributed before Christmas and that more was to be delivered through the new
year.