The only Salesian school in Taiwan is shining
Tainan, Taiwan, 28 November 2017 -- For the first time in history the only Salesian school in Taiwan (Republic of China) has three local Salesians as community members. Among the 13 members strong international community (Rector Fr. Mathew Tri) are at present Fr. Thomas, Deacon Philip and Br. Paul, all of them Taiwanese. The active presence of three practical trainees is visible especially through the sports and group activity animating.
The school opened in 1964 offers a large variety of courses to the youth interested in professional preparation: Automotive, informatics, electronics, electro-mechanics, commerce, practical auto-repair and automotive technology, practical electro-mechanic, bakery, practical bakery with Food & Bakery. Especially the food related skills are the most recently established departments with quite strong attraction among the students. Just last week one of the third year students of bakery department was awarded with a second prize at national level. The whole school educative and pastoral community did congratulate for this achievement during the morning assembly on Monday, November 28.
During the short animation visit of the EAO regional councilor, Fr. Klement, the community had an intense two days and one night animation time. With the core group of the school leadership as well with the whole school assembly during the Good Morning talk our regional councilor shared the moving story about our Bosconian martyr in Lahore, Akash Bashir (1994-2015), as shining example of service and sacrifice for others.
As all other 16 schools in the China province, also Tainan Secondary Technical School is already under the lay leadership. The first lay principal, one among the long term committed teachers, Mr. Xie Guang Zhou with other 124 lay mission partners are accompanied by the Tainan SDB community especially with the religious department and by one SDB delegated by the provincial as formator of our Lay Mission Partners in Taiwan (Fr. Gary Carbon).
Among the 1460+ students are only seven Catholics and also the same situation is among our staff, instructors and teachers. Indeed Taiwan is a one of the mission frontiers of the Catholic church in East Asia. The SDB community of Tainan is entrusted with a nearby parish of Mary Help of Christians, large network of multicultural migrant ministry (Filipino and Vietnamese) as well with the accompaniment of Salesian Family (FMA, Salesian Cooperators and DB Past Pupils).
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