austraLasia #1794
Bolivia and Church web systems - something for all of us
COCHABAMBA: 21st March 2007 -- One reason why you might find some interruptions to service at the moment is that your austraLasia coordinator is in the mountains and valleys of Bolivia at Cochabamba where, incidentally, he discovers a Christ figure overlooking the city from one of its surrounding hills which is larger than the famous one in Brasil! It claims it is the largest Christ figure in the world. The wonders one learns about! That aside Cochabamba is a city of poor campesinos trying to eke out an existence in difficult terrain. And one gathers, from a quick run around the formation houses today, that they have also met their first ever Australian!
Why am I here? There is a gathering of religious from many parts of the Americas but not only - also from Rome, the Vatican and elsewhere, because South America has over the years set up a wide ecclesial network using today's technology that is perhaps unrivalled elsewhere. Individual Salesians are closely involved, but the Congregation has made a decision through its Councillor for Communications to become officially involved, another node in the links that make up RIIAL, the Red Informatica de le Iglesia America Latina. I am representing said Councillor and endeavouring to plug in what the Salesians have to contribute such as ANS, www.sdb.org, but also to learn, for they have many things to teach us.
The EAO Region is not lacking in doing its part by way of networking and using technology to help - but surely there is more that can be achieved without requiring more time or even effort from people; just little changes in mentality here and there might be all that is needed. That is what I think RIIAL has to offer us. Expect then, when these days are over, a fuller report and perhaps some indicators.
And to conclude - Bolivia is a very vibrant Salesian presence. That is just so obvious everywhere you look. The vocations are flowing in consistently too. Sure they will have their set of problems like everywhere else has, but one cannot help but be impressed by this province (120 members) and its many endeavours.
On a final note, http://sdl.sdb.org is in experimental form so could users please help me by indicating when they are having access problems. (I can't get in from these mountains in South America, but I don't know if it's them or us that's the problem!
Bolivia and Church web systems - something for all of us
COCHABAMBA: 21st March 2007 -- One reason why you might find some interruptions to service at the moment is that your austraLasia coordinator is in the mountains and valleys of Bolivia at Cochabamba where, incidentally, he discovers a Christ figure overlooking the city from one of its surrounding hills which is larger than the famous one in Brasil! It claims it is the largest Christ figure in the world. The wonders one learns about! That aside Cochabamba is a city of poor campesinos trying to eke out an existence in difficult terrain. And one gathers, from a quick run around the formation houses today, that they have also met their first ever Australian!
Why am I here? There is a gathering of religious from many parts of the Americas but not only - also from Rome, the Vatican and elsewhere, because South America has over the years set up a wide ecclesial network using today's technology that is perhaps unrivalled elsewhere. Individual Salesians are closely involved, but the Congregation has made a decision through its Councillor for Communications to become officially involved, another node in the links that make up RIIAL, the Red Informatica de le Iglesia America Latina. I am representing said Councillor and endeavouring to plug in what the Salesians have to contribute such as ANS, www.sdb.org, but also to learn, for they have many things to teach us.
The EAO Region is not lacking in doing its part by way of networking and using technology to help - but surely there is more that can be achieved without requiring more time or even effort from people; just little changes in mentality here and there might be all that is needed. That is what I think RIIAL has to offer us. Expect then, when these days are over, a fuller report and perhaps some indicators.
And to conclude - Bolivia is a very vibrant Salesian presence. That is just so obvious everywhere you look. The vocations are flowing in consistently too. Sure they will have their set of problems like everywhere else has, but one cannot help but be impressed by this province (120 members) and its many endeavours.
On a final note, http://sdl.sdb.org is in experimental form so could users please help me by indicating when they are having access problems. (I can't get in from these mountains in South America, but I don't know if it's them or us that's the problem!
