The History

This organisation start on 7 Maret 1995 by a few Indonesian family in  Brisbane Australia that longed for a  Catholic Mass in Indonesian Language and culture. The first mass start with only 4 families  Mr. Ignatius & Mrs. Joyce Suroso, Mr.Willy Lim & Mrs.Mellania Lim, Mr.Sonny dan Mrs. Mila Adiwinata, family of Alex Oei & Julia Oei, with guidance from Pastor Stephen Ndun SVD at St Cecilia church, College Street, Hamilton.

Father Stephen Ndun then replace by Father Hubert Ghewa SVD. At that time the mass held twice a month in the morning at 11am.

Then with hard work from the families that start ICF, more Indonesian Catholic people in Brisbane, including the youth Indonesian join this community group.

At 16-February-1997 the first ICF Committee is formed, that was for the service period of 1997-1998.

BIO:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”, 2 Kor.12:9 is my life motto during my life journey, to be myself as a capuchin friar. I was born on 13-March-1980 as a first child from seven siblings in a devoted Catholic family.

Jesus’s words about thatch, wheat, and catching fish is very familiar to my ear because my parents are farmers. After school hours, I often helped my parents in the farm, padi field, and by catching fish. Because of that I usually didn’t have time for computer games or to use IPADs. Also, that sort of thing is a bit out of our financial reach.

I did my Primary and Junior High School at a Public State School, called Sekolah Pemerintah or in other Indonesian terminology called Sekolah Negeri. This school was close to our house and I could walk to school. In Senior High School though, I went to a Catholic School that has a dormitory, as my Mother said to me “so you can be a good person and concentrate towards your schooling, and getting ready for a bright future”. I was very happy in that school as I did not get exposed to sunburn as in the farm. Also, I got so many school friends to study together, a new activity that I felt a bit strange but grateful for.

I think because of that experience during my Senior High School, I found my calling to be a Capuchin Friar/Priest. I made friendships with the local priests, Budi Mulia Bruder/Brothers, and the OSF Nuns. I often served as an Altar Boy, Bible Reader on Sunday Mass, and participated in cleaning up the church. I was also active in Areka and Mudika (Catholic Youth Group), so after I graduated from Senior High School, I decided to enter Sibolga Capuchin Postulant.

My time as Capuchin Friar started in the year 1997 and lasted until July 2008. I lead with happiness and without many hurdles, which means up till 21-July-2007 I can strongly declare “a perpetual Vows” in Sibolga, while an ordination as Deacon I received from Sibolga Diocese from The late Mgr Dr.Ludovicus Simanullang OFM Cap on 20-August-2008.

After a few months going through deaconate, in 23-April-2009, the same bishop ordained me as a Priest with 7 other Friars. That was the biggest number of Friars to be ordained in that Diocese.

I’m very happy as a Capuchin Priest, I have no regrets for going through this path of life, even though there are lots of challenges and hurdles. I’m convinced the one above chose this for my own good life. He is the one that will lead and end. I’m proud to be with him, to learn, and be taught by him.