SAMPRAN: 28th February 2005 -- The Salesian Sisters' community Sampran , just north of Bangkok, was the gathering point, this weekend just past, for 200 members of the Salesian Family drawing from nine different groups: SDB, FMA, ASC, SIHM, DQM, VDB, PP (SDB and FMA), ADMA.  For those unsure of the initials, other than sdb and fma, there were the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Daughters of the Queenship of Mary, the Volunteers of Don Bosco, the Past Pupils, and the Clients of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) the most recent group formed in Thailand (and other than the SDB's, the oldest group to be founded by Don Bosco himself - 1869).  Not present on the day but with 12 members in Thailand, were the Damas Salesianas.

    The day involved a presentation of the Strenna for 2005, translated into Thai both in text and dubbed video form, a meeting of the SF Consultative Council and the ASC Provincial Council.  In a general meeting of all SF members present, groups shared the challenges they face in three areas of growth - numbers (vocation promotion featured strongly in both the SDB and VDB responses), Salesian spirituality and the Preventive System (especially for the SIHM, ASC FMA Past Pupils and DQM), and growth in communion and collaboration, a point strongly emphasised by the FMA.

    A further feature of Salesian life in Thailand is the constant need for well-translated Salesian materials in Thai.  This challenge is being met and the Provincial, Fr Theparat, pledged even more effort in this area, inviting a translation team to be formed from SF member groups, funds to assist the project, and noting the stimulus already provided by the China Province (especially Fr Lawrence Yao) in presenting the Salesian Family there with a Chinese version of the Biographical Memoirs.