Celebrating the Silver Jubilee in the Periphery (I) - Yakutsk

By Our Own Correspondent

Yakutsk, Autonomous Republic of Sakcha, Russia Federation, 1 October 2017 -- More than 9000 km from Bratislava (Slovakia) where the Rector Major with the whole Salesian Family of Slovakia celebrated the Beatification of Blessed Titus Zeman with 25.000 faithful, a small community of 4 Salesians (Rector Fr. Pavol MIchalka) celebrated in the Holy Spirit Church in Yakutsk with 150 Catholics and non Catholic well-whishers the Silver Jubilee of this remote Catholic presence of Yakutia.

The Silver Jubilee celebration started with 11 AM Eucharist in the parish church (consecrated in 2009), presided in Russian by the EAO Regional councilor who congratulate in the name of the Rector Major to the SDB and parish community. Fr. Vaclav expressed the thanks to all missionaries who worked in Yakutia over past 25 years as well to all Yakutia faithful and friends who welcomed Don Bosco and the Catholic community and participated in its growth.

After a wonderful family meal in the nearby Don Bosco Youth Center (also a Salesian community residence). Among the 150 participants are visible especially few families with small children, both Russian or Yakuts ethnic background. However also here we don't miss the Filipina oversea domestic workers and many other nationalities. It was indeed a Pentecost lunch prepared with contribution of all parishioners.

In the afternoon was organized a simple music event with testimonies shared by Fr. Jozef Toth (Aldan), some of the parishioners of Yakutsk and Aldan who contributed to the building of this small parish community. Our parish youth and many professional musicians (friends of our lady organist) contributed to this wonderful moment of gratitude. Also the presence and sharing of our friends - protestant pastors made this moment a good memory. At the end Fr. Marian Peciar, the parish priest expressed his gratitude to all who contributed to this uplifting experience.

Since 1992 about 25 SDB and 120 Lay Mission Volunteers from Slovakia shared few years of their life for the implanting of the Church in this remote corner of the Globe. Since the pioneer times of Fr. Jozef Pravda in Aldan until now about 500 believers were baptized in this large territory between Yakutsk and Aldan (distance 500 km) with very scarce population. Indeed the distance to other 'nearby' Siberian parishes runs between 1500 or 2000 km. Indeed one of the most challenging missionary environment.

The SDB community is composed by four Salesian missionary priest from Slovakia (Provincial Fr. Jozef Izgold, SLK) and is excited to welcome in few weeks time also the first two non-Slovakian missionaries who received last Sunday their missionary cruficix at Valdocco (148th missionary expedition) - they head from India and Burundi.

We are grateful for this

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