austraLasia 1101
Salesio Kosen: a new name amongst Tokyo's schools!
TOKYO: 4th April 2005 -- The new school year began 1st April in Japan, and with it an entirely new Salesian school, or rather an entirely transfigured and relocated entity once known as Salesian Polytechnic at Suginami, but now in its new location at Tama Sakai.
The new scholastic year for Salesio Kosen, as it will be referred to, began with a meeting of all teaching staff. The day was prepared by the new youth ministry team comprising a chaplain, as he will be known from now on, and some of the Catholic teachers at the institution.
Given that most of the teachers are not Catholic, the day began with a brief practice for the religious events, including the learning of some hymns; this followed by the Eucharist celebrated by Bishop Mizobe with commentary by Fr Kojima the new chaplain.
An especially moving moment was at the prayers of the faithful when the teachers responsible for the 20 different class groups lit candles and prayed for the students entrusted to them. In fact the whole idea of such a prayerful beginning to the new institution came from the teachers themselves, anxious that Salesio Kosen begins under divine protection.
Bishop Mizobe gave a conference to the staff following the Mass, where he emphasized a secure future if this Salesian Polytechnic develops the educational values to be found in Don Bosco's preventive system, especially the importance of religion. This was a task not just for Salesians and priests in particular, but for all involved, he said.
Japan's Provincial, Fr Puppo, spoke to the group in the afternoon, reminding them of the importance of building the educative community. The principal, Fr Tanaka, then presented the educational plan for the term.
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