austraLasia 1520
ITM's Salesian Family takes new step forward
DILI: 7th April 2006 -- One week ago the Salesian Family in the vice province of Indonesia-East Timor (ITM) took a major step forward with the consolidation of a 'Consulta' or Advisory Council consisting of SDB (the ITM Superior, 1 VDB ecclesiastical assistant, 1 delegate ASC), FMA (1 delegate ASC, Assistant ADMA), 1 ADMA representative, 2 ASC representatives, 1 Past Pupil. In fact the Salesian Family Council had been formally established in December of 2005 and this was its second meeting, but with this second meeting, and the presence of the Regional Superior Fr Klement, the Council could now be said to be fully launched.
The EAO Regional explained to the group the basic principles of its existence and operation - the care it must now take regarding mutual information, the deepening of a common Salesian spirituality, and the team work involved in the common mission on behalf of the young. The group finds its true centre around Don Bosco through his successor and the one who represents him in ITM, Fr Andres, the vice province superior. He also explained the ordinary operation of the Council, how it might function in terms of organisation and structure.
Currently there are some 105 Timorese SDB, 60 FMA, 1300 ADMA, 6 ASC (plus 30 aspirants), several thousand Past Pupils in 7 centres, 6 VDB aspirants - and these figures are only for the Timorese part of the vice province. The Council plans to meet every four months. It has established August 13th as the annual Salesian Family Feast day to be held at Fatumaca. The 'Feast' of Mamma Margaret holds special significance in ITM and is celebrated in each local place on 25 November. Naturally, Don Bosco's Feast day is celebrated on 31st January.
The Vice province Delegate for the Salesian Family is Fr Manuel Fraile, the parish priest of Comoro-Dili Mary Help of Christians Parish.
Different groups in the Family have prepared 2006 monthly leaflets on this year's Strenna. They are simple but very practical and a good example that others might be able to follow - one A4 page folded over. As the first real input from and amongst the Family they have been very positively received. There is not yet a Salesian Bulletin in ITM, though it is in the planning stage.
There are signs of growth amongst the groups of the Salesian Family most recently begun in ITM. The first group of VDB aspirants is in formation, under the guidance of Fr Padilla, and the first formal promise of ASC candidates is expected at the end of April. The Past Pupils, already well-established, are preparing for the inauguration of the first statue of Don Bosco in Dili, to be unveiled in early May. They have located it at the entrance to the Comoro-Dili grounds and expect that ecclesiastical and government dignitaries, many of them also past pupils, will attend.
GLOSSARY
VDB: Volunteers of Don Bosco, a Secular Institute of women living out the Salesian spirit
ASC: Association of Salesian Cooperators, founded by Don Bosco as the third branch of the Salesian Family
ADMA: Association of Clients of Mary Help of CHristians, also founded by Don Bosco to promote devotion to MHC
_____________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/rssala.xml
ITM's Salesian Family takes new step forward
DILI: 7th April 2006 -- One week ago the Salesian Family in the vice province of Indonesia-East Timor (ITM) took a major step forward with the consolidation of a 'Consulta' or Advisory Council consisting of SDB (the ITM Superior, 1 VDB ecclesiastical assistant, 1 delegate ASC), FMA (1 delegate ASC, Assistant ADMA), 1 ADMA representative, 2 ASC representatives, 1 Past Pupil. In fact the Salesian Family Council had been formally established in December of 2005 and this was its second meeting, but with this second meeting, and the presence of the Regional Superior Fr Klement, the Council could now be said to be fully launched.
The EAO Regional explained to the group the basic principles of its existence and operation - the care it must now take regarding mutual information, the deepening of a common Salesian spirituality, and the team work involved in the common mission on behalf of the young. The group finds its true centre around Don Bosco through his successor and the one who represents him in ITM, Fr Andres, the vice province superior. He also explained the ordinary operation of the Council, how it might function in terms of organisation and structure.
Currently there are some 105 Timorese SDB, 60 FMA, 1300 ADMA, 6 ASC (plus 30 aspirants), several thousand Past Pupils in 7 centres, 6 VDB aspirants - and these figures are only for the Timorese part of the vice province. The Council plans to meet every four months. It has established August 13th as the annual Salesian Family Feast day to be held at Fatumaca. The 'Feast' of Mamma Margaret holds special significance in ITM and is celebrated in each local place on 25 November. Naturally, Don Bosco's Feast day is celebrated on 31st January.
The Vice province Delegate for the Salesian Family is Fr Manuel Fraile, the parish priest of Comoro-Dili Mary Help of Christians Parish.
Different groups in the Family have prepared 2006 monthly leaflets on this year's Strenna. They are simple but very practical and a good example that others might be able to follow - one A4 page folded over. As the first real input from and amongst the Family they have been very positively received. There is not yet a Salesian Bulletin in ITM, though it is in the planning stage.
There are signs of growth amongst the groups of the Salesian Family most recently begun in ITM. The first group of VDB aspirants is in formation, under the guidance of Fr Padilla, and the first formal promise of ASC candidates is expected at the end of April. The Past Pupils, already well-established, are preparing for the inauguration of the first statue of Don Bosco in Dili, to be unveiled in early May. They have located it at the entrance to the Comoro-Dili grounds and expect that ecclesiastical and government dignitaries, many of them also past pupils, will attend.
GLOSSARY
VDB: Volunteers of Don Bosco, a Secular Institute of women living out the Salesian spirit
ASC: Association of Salesian Cooperators, founded by Don Bosco as the third branch of the Salesian Family
ADMA: Association of Clients of Mary Help of CHristians, also founded by Don Bosco to promote devotion to MHC
_____________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/rssala.xml
