austraLasia 2201

RM has a few hours to take in Sydney's beauty - and spontaneously meet the people
(From our Sydney reporter!)

SYDNEY: 16th July 2008 -- Tuesday 15th: Tuesday loomed as something of a “free day.”  The Rector Major had welcomed the pilgrims to Sydney on Monday, and the major Salesian event is due to take place on Wednesday, after the morning catechesis in the Engadine Parish and in the hall of Boys’ Town.  The Provincial had to spend the day at the Vocations exhibition at Darling Harbour, so Fr Guy Riolo was delegated to take the Rector Major, Fr Juan José Bartolome and Fr Andrew Wong to make one of the spectacular journeys in Sydney – the trip by ferry from Circular Quay to Manly and back again.  On the way home, they were to call into the vocations exhibition at Darling Harbour, and then catch the train to Engadine, about 50 mins from Sydney Central Station.  A challenging “free day”!the day became a celebration.  On the streets, at Circular Quay (where traditionally the cultures meet, especially with the aboriginal culture), travelling across one of the world’s most beautiful harbours, Fr Chavez was seen and known.  Mexicans, Salesians from all over the world, and just happy young people, gathered around him.  A Salesian youth gathering took place wherever the Rector Major was.  So much for the “free day”! 
    The return trip from Manly to Sydney enables a beautiful photo against the backdrop of the famous Sydney Opera House, now an icon of Australia.  Fr Guy has taken several shots of the Rector Major with the Opera House behind him.  We Australians will soon be claiming our first Australian Rector Major.
    The Provincial arrived home after his day at the vocations exhibition, weary … only to find, at 5pm, that the Rector Major had not arrived back to the community at Engadine!  As they had all set out at 10am, the thought emerged: what if the Australia-Pacific Province had “lost” the Rector Major?
    Eventually they arrived, with the Fr Chavez announcing … “We have seen the most beautiful city in the world!”  There will be many who will challenge that, but we Australians were glad to hear it from our Rector Major.
    The day ended with a wonderful meal at which all the Salesians working in Engadine were able to separate themselves from their many and varied apostolic activities to spend some time in communion with the Rector Major.  This was a precious and formative moment for us all.  Much that is significant for the Church and the Congregation in Australia was discussed.  The meal was a blessed ending to what the Rector Major had described as “the first free day” he had had on visitation of any Province.  I am not too sure how “free” it was.We look forward for a major celebration of the Salesian Youth Movement, with more than 2,000 young people in attendance, at Engadine on Wednesday on July 16.  It will be an important day for the history of the Australia-Pacific Province.  We will be sorry to see our beloved Rector Major leave us on Thursday, July 17.
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Title: australasia 2201
Subject and key words: EAO Provinces AUL WYD
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2201