austraLasia 1371
Korea's 'Mamma Margaret Association' draws in parents of Salesians
SEOUL: 30th December 2005 -- A few days before Christmas, 40 parents of Salesians from all around Korea gathered in Seoul for a Winter Recollection, despite the heavy snow that has been impeding movement in the country. The Provincial and a number of Salesians were present, as also the official chaplain to the group, Fr Gregory Park.
Somewhere around the Year 2000, not just in Korea but in several provinces around the world, a natural grouping sprang up within the Salesian Family (though it is not quite at the SF full recognition stage as yet) called the Mamma Margaret Association. In Korea, the group had began to come together naturally long before, starting with parents of aspirants, then in the late '90s, with a group of post novitiate parents meeting together; the idea of a more frequent exchange soon developed. In the Jubilee Year 2000, the group was given an official status in the Korean Province with a gathering of about 100 parents on that occasion, some semblance of organisational structure - president, secretary, treasurer, that sort of thing - and some simple regulations.
Meanwhile in other parts of the world a similar grouping is in existence. In 2000, parents of confreres from Italy and Spain met at the Pisana and in fact, Fr Martinelli, Councillor in charge of the Salesian Family at that point, drafted a letter which went out to Provincials around the world pointing out some simple possibilities to give this grouping life wherever it might be able to come into existence.
The Korean association gives a good example of what might exist: the group comes together for a recollection annually, but also meets on another occasion, formally, for an exchange of experience tied in more closely with the Salesian Family. They come together for professions, ordination, Salesian Feast days and receive a newsletter from their spiritual assistant, in this case from Fr Park. Naturally, they receive the Salesian Bulletin, and they are also invited to join the Salesian Cooperators. They are involved in the Salesian formation benefactors network.
In the context of the Korean experience, the association has been found to be valuable especially for parents of aspirants. They find it helpful in understanding the vocational growth of their children through contact with parents of priests and older Salesians.
Within the next 24 hours, the Rector Major will be speaking to the Salesian Family (he begins traditionally with the Salesian Sisters) on the role of family and the special place Mamma Margaret has in the Salesian tradition in this regard.
__________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/rssala.xml
Korea's 'Mamma Margaret Association' draws in parents of Salesians
SEOUL: 30th December 2005 -- A few days before Christmas, 40 parents of Salesians from all around Korea gathered in Seoul for a Winter Recollection, despite the heavy snow that has been impeding movement in the country. The Provincial and a number of Salesians were present, as also the official chaplain to the group, Fr Gregory Park.
Somewhere around the Year 2000, not just in Korea but in several provinces around the world, a natural grouping sprang up within the Salesian Family (though it is not quite at the SF full recognition stage as yet) called the Mamma Margaret Association. In Korea, the group had began to come together naturally long before, starting with parents of aspirants, then in the late '90s, with a group of post novitiate parents meeting together; the idea of a more frequent exchange soon developed. In the Jubilee Year 2000, the group was given an official status in the Korean Province with a gathering of about 100 parents on that occasion, some semblance of organisational structure - president, secretary, treasurer, that sort of thing - and some simple regulations.
Meanwhile in other parts of the world a similar grouping is in existence. In 2000, parents of confreres from Italy and Spain met at the Pisana and in fact, Fr Martinelli, Councillor in charge of the Salesian Family at that point, drafted a letter which went out to Provincials around the world pointing out some simple possibilities to give this grouping life wherever it might be able to come into existence.
The Korean association gives a good example of what might exist: the group comes together for a recollection annually, but also meets on another occasion, formally, for an exchange of experience tied in more closely with the Salesian Family. They come together for professions, ordination, Salesian Feast days and receive a newsletter from their spiritual assistant, in this case from Fr Park. Naturally, they receive the Salesian Bulletin, and they are also invited to join the Salesian Cooperators. They are involved in the Salesian formation benefactors network.
In the context of the Korean experience, the association has been found to be valuable especially for parents of aspirants. They find it helpful in understanding the vocational growth of their children through contact with parents of priests and older Salesians.
Within the next 24 hours, the Rector Major will be speaking to the Salesian Family (he begins traditionally with the Salesian Sisters) on the role of family and the special place Mamma Margaret has in the Salesian tradition in this regard.
__________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/rssala.xml
