By Fr. Mario Yamanouchi, SDB

Tokyo, Japan, 10 January -- Annual Encounter of SF leadership of all groups present in Japan ( SDB, FMA, Caritas Sisters of Jesus, Salesian Cooperators, VDB, ADMA, Don Bosco Alumni and Mary Help of Christians Alumni (Unione with participation of 35 provincials, councilors and leaders of the respective groups in Chofu on 10th of January.

Introduction talk was given by SDB provincial of Japan about the 2017 Strenna of the Rector Major ‘We are family’ inspired by the Japanese version of the Strenna poster (drawing by the Don Bosco Manga autor) with the main characters of this Manga - Mana (girl) and Riku (boy).

Next month the Salesian Family of Japan will held three zone encounters (Tokyo – Feb 11, Beppu Feb 18, Nagasaki Feb 19) for the Strenna reflection, main speaker will be Fr. Okamoto – who will participate in the Salesian Family spirituality days in Rome (Jan 19-22).

Other important events of the Salesian Family will be the May 7-10 EAO regional congress of Salesian Cooperators (200 participants with SYM members) and October 15-21 spiritual retreat preached by Fr. Pascual Chavez in Yamanaka for the rectors and directress of SDB, FMA and Caritas Sisters. The annual Feast of SF will be preside also by the Rector Major emeritus in Tokyo, Akabane next October 22 with a talk about the ‘Salesian Family Identity Charter’.

Then followed the presentation of main events accomplished in 2016 by each SF group and group sharing about the 2016 “Adventure in the Spirit” strenna fruits by all participants. It’s no surprise that most of the participants pointed at the Joy of the Gospel (Pope Francis) as fruit of the out-reaching commitment towards the peripheries.

The provincial Consulta day encounter was concluded with Vespers, Benediction and Mary Help of Christian Blessing. The Good Night Talk was an invitation for the newly released movie ‘Silence’ of Martin Scorsese.

---

---