austraLasia #2794
A goal achieved and a new beginning
MELBOURNE: 31 January 2011 - On Sunday, 30 January, at a Mass to celebrate the Vigil of the Feast of Saint John Bosco, Bro John Baptist Thuy Nguyen (better known to Australia-Pacific Salesians as Thuy) made his Final Profession into the hands of the Provincial of the Australia-Pacific Province, Fr Frank Moloney. The Church of St Margaret Mary’s, North Brunswick, set in an inner-suburb of Melbourne, was packed with Salesians, Salesian Sisters, Co-operators, friends, youth leaders, family, and the multi-cultural Parish family of St Margaret Mary’s: Anglo-Irish, Italian and Vietnamese. Bishop Tim Costelloe, SDB, who had been Thuy’s Rector during his years of formation, preached. He used the Gospel account of the annunciation to Mary to parallel Thuy’s journey towards this day of “annunciation” of God’s will, and encouraged Thuy in his unconditional “yes” to God’s plan for him. In a ceremony that had many highlights, after Thuy had pronounced his vows and been accepted into the Congregation, Fr Moloney asked all the Salesians and the Salesian Sisters to come forward to congratulate Thuy individually. It was a touching moment for all present, and was met with great applause.
This is the end of a long journey for Thuy. At 15 years of age he fled his home and family at the fall of Saigon, and spent three years in a refugee camp in Malaysia. The Final Profession was a moment for many of Thuy’s friends from those days to meet once more, and it was an emotional moment. Thuy’s sister was able to be there from Vietnam, but his mother, who now lives in the USA, was unable to get a visa. We are still hoping to have her with us. After several years working as an assistant in Youth Centres, Thuy has recently completed a post-graduate qualification in Information Technology. This year he begins his new life as a finally professed Salesian. He will be part of the IT team in the service of the large Salesian school, Dominic College, Glenorchy, one of the poorer areas of Hobart, Tasmania.
It is a long way from Vietnam to Glenorchy, and Thuy’s journey has taken many twists and turns. However, as Thuy said in his words at the end of the Eucharist, he has always sensed that God has been with him in his trials, as well as in his moments of blessing. The Australian part of the Australia-Pacific Province now has only two men in formation (we do better in the Pacific). There is no cleric in formation. If someone was to be sent today, it would be more than 11 years before we ordained another Priest. On this Feast of St John Bosco, we ask for your prayers.
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Further note: this news item represents several factors of general interest
- Almost every Salesian who has grown up in the 'deep south' of our region (I mean the Australia-Pacific Province) has made his profession on or about 31st January. And of course each year sees celebrations of 25, 50 years (or more!). For those who know these confreres, Bro Joe Ellul and Fr Frank Freeman celebrate 60 years of profession today. Frs Frank Moloney, John Papworth and Lawrie Moate celebrate 50 years.
- Given the 2011 Strenna theme (which starts January and ends December, despite tendencies to twist it otherwise!), 'vocation', today's story should be an inspiration to many - and we hope to young Australians and Pacificans!
- Interesting to recall that St John Bosco's relic is in Vietnam today. An extra special little blessing for Thuy from home soil!
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AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2011 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
A goal achieved and a new beginning
MELBOURNE: 31 January 2011 - On Sunday, 30 January, at a Mass to celebrate the Vigil of the Feast of Saint John Bosco, Bro John Baptist Thuy Nguyen (better known to Australia-Pacific Salesians as Thuy) made his Final Profession into the hands of the Provincial of the Australia-Pacific Province, Fr Frank Moloney. The Church of St Margaret Mary’s, North Brunswick, set in an inner-suburb of Melbourne, was packed with Salesians, Salesian Sisters, Co-operators, friends, youth leaders, family, and the multi-cultural Parish family of St Margaret Mary’s: Anglo-Irish, Italian and Vietnamese. Bishop Tim Costelloe, SDB, who had been Thuy’s Rector during his years of formation, preached. He used the Gospel account of the annunciation to Mary to parallel Thuy’s journey towards this day of “annunciation” of God’s will, and encouraged Thuy in his unconditional “yes” to God’s plan for him. In a ceremony that had many highlights, after Thuy had pronounced his vows and been accepted into the Congregation, Fr Moloney asked all the Salesians and the Salesian Sisters to come forward to congratulate Thuy individually. It was a touching moment for all present, and was met with great applause.
This is the end of a long journey for Thuy. At 15 years of age he fled his home and family at the fall of Saigon, and spent three years in a refugee camp in Malaysia. The Final Profession was a moment for many of Thuy’s friends from those days to meet once more, and it was an emotional moment. Thuy’s sister was able to be there from Vietnam, but his mother, who now lives in the USA, was unable to get a visa. We are still hoping to have her with us. After several years working as an assistant in Youth Centres, Thuy has recently completed a post-graduate qualification in Information Technology. This year he begins his new life as a finally professed Salesian. He will be part of the IT team in the service of the large Salesian school, Dominic College, Glenorchy, one of the poorer areas of Hobart, Tasmania.
It is a long way from Vietnam to Glenorchy, and Thuy’s journey has taken many twists and turns. However, as Thuy said in his words at the end of the Eucharist, he has always sensed that God has been with him in his trials, as well as in his moments of blessing. The Australian part of the Australia-Pacific Province now has only two men in formation (we do better in the Pacific). There is no cleric in formation. If someone was to be sent today, it would be more than 11 years before we ordained another Priest. On this Feast of St John Bosco, we ask for your prayers.
-------
Further note: this news item represents several factors of general interest
- Almost every Salesian who has grown up in the 'deep south' of our region (I mean the Australia-Pacific Province) has made his profession on or about 31st January. And of course each year sees celebrations of 25, 50 years (or more!). For those who know these confreres, Bro Joe Ellul and Fr Frank Freeman celebrate 60 years of profession today. Frs Frank Moloney, John Papworth and Lawrie Moate celebrate 50 years.
- Given the 2011 Strenna theme (which starts January and ends December, despite tendencies to twist it otherwise!), 'vocation', today's story should be an inspiration to many - and we hope to young Australians and Pacificans!
- Interesting to recall that St John Bosco's relic is in Vietnam today. An extra special little blessing for Thuy from home soil!
_________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2011 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
