Bright future open to the Salesians: The first historical visit of the Rector Major in New Zealand
By Our Own Correspondent
Auckland, New Zealand. May 13 - On the second day of first historical visit of the Rector Major to New Zealand, Auckland, there are many motivations for dream about bright future of the Salesian Charism.
Very lively exchange during the courtesy visit of Fr. Ángel to Auckland Bishop Patrick Dunn (May 13) highlighted all important aspects of our future in New Zealand. Bishop Pat, who does admire Don Bosco from his childhood, is happy to help the first Salesians in solid foundation of the Salesian Charism in this country.
‘I’m delighted to welcome Fr. Ángel Fernandez Artime, SDB – Rector Major to the Diocese of Auckland. St. John Bosco had stated while sending the first missionary expedition: “Let us place our little pebble in the great edifice of the Church.” The Salesian presence in West Auckland at Massey and Avondale brings the beautiful charism of St. John Bosco to us who live very literally at ‘the end of the earth’. Don Bosco was a man of action. He liked the statement that ‘Jesus began to do before he began to teach.’ He believed that holiness consisted in ‘being very happy and in performing our duties as perfectly as possible.’ His first concern always was for the young: ‘The young should know that they are loved.” I commend first concern the lay group for collaborating with the Salesians in organizing a meaningful visit for the Rector Major and I’m sure he will treasure his visit to our Diocese, especially to West Auckland, where the young often remind me: The West if the Best!’ + Patrick Dunn, Bishop of Auckland (from NZ Catholic, May 3-16)
Bishop Pat shared with Rector Major his love and respect for the Saint of the Young people, for Pope Francis and his strong call for pastoral conversion, as well the different hope and struggles of his diocese. It was one of the high points of the three weeks long visit of RM to the six countries of Oceania.
Indeed Bishop Pat has chosen for us the most popular and most Pacific islanders populated West Auckland place (with the cheapest housing prize around the whole Auckland). Avondale and Massey are not very far from each other. The huge percentage of young people in both parishes and the astonishing variety of ethnic background is a guarantee of great future for the hardworking and youth loving Salesians of different origins working together.
Auckland is the most religious city in the overall very secularized New Zealand (more than Australia!). The diocese of Auckland has only 11 seminarians (8 different cultural background – Europe, Fiji, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, Tonga, Samoa). There is a challenge of education for the second – third generation of migrant families. Catholic schools are becoming parishes for their almost entirely Catholic student population, but also is a growing difficulty to find committed and practicing Catholic teachers. In the diocese are present not less than 150 different ethnic groups of all possible religions around the world. Thus the mission for youth and migrants does match with the Charism of Don Bosco.
One 6th grade girl in our St. Paul Parish school (Massey) asked Fr. Ángel: “Rector Major, are you already 200 years old?” Yes, to help root Don Boscos charism does need time. There is a need for more Salesians from oversea. All of us are aware about the appeal of the Rector Major to the whole Congregation for the Australia-Pacific area missionaries to make possible this Pacific dream of Don Bosco. There is also a strongly felt need to form in Auckland the first groups of well identified Don Bosco Past Pupils and Salesian Cooperators. The Salesian youth movement is preparing hopefully their first ‘Kiwi Bosco’ (SYD in 2016 or 2017) and all of us are praying and working for the first Salesians ‘made in New Zealand’.
New Zealand – fruits of the first historical visit
Follow up of the Rector Major’s visit in Auckland, NZ (May 14)
According the Auckland community Rector Fr. Mathew: “After the first historical visit of Rector Major to our five years old presence in New Zealand, confreres feel more part of the worldwide Congregation. We were much encouraged and shared also quite clear sense of direction for the development of Salesian Charism and Mission.”
Last evening of the visit in Auckland was a time of thanksgiving. First part was the Eucharist of St. Mary Domenica Mazarello, presided by Auckland bishop Pat Dunn, attended by 300 faithful and 25 Auckland based diocesan and religious priests. Fr. Ángel shared in his homily a dream about building a true community of believers who in spite of many different culture are building an inclusive community that does care especially about the weaker members, community that does grow in the proclamation of Jesus Christ as his true disciples-missionaries as expected by Pope Francis. Second part was a wonderful academy in the St. Mary’s school hall, with a harmonious blending of Tongan, Maori and Samoan dances. Short drama presenting Life of Don Bosco was performed by the Salesian Youth Movement. Before the family meal prepared by the parishioners there was a short thanksgiving of Bishop Pat for the Salesian contribution to the diocesan community and offering of some gifts to the Rector Major. Especially the Maori feather coat was admired by all present. During both parts of the evening the dynamic and angelic voices of the Samoan choir were appreciated very much (‘superior to the professional Sistine Chapel choir’).
And Rector Major expressed his thanks to the Auckland Church for inviting, accepting and supporting the Salesian presence at this initial stage with an extraordinary delicate care. From his part, Fr. Ángel understands the significance of this Salesian presence for the Church in the Pacific and makes an appeals especially to the East Asia – Oceania Province for sending as soon as possible some (even temporary) missionaries to strengthen this new presence of New Zealand.
Last evening was also a time of harvesting and offering some indications for the development of the young New Zealand presence. Before the Eucharist the Rector Major, accompanied by the EAO regional and the Auckland Rector met ten members of the Lay ‘Core group of the ‘Friends of Don Bosco’ and Don Bosco Past Pupils of different origins (Philippines and India). The successor of Don Bosco expressed his surprise to meet during these two days many enthusiastic lay people and youth in Auckland two Salesian presences. Indeed Don Bosco was present through these Salesian Family members long before the SDB arrival in 2009. Here are some emerging points at the end of his Auckland visit for the Salesian community and their lay mission partners:
- Move on for greater integration and involvement of different ethnic groups in both parishes: those who belong to some minority Catholic communities in our parish, especially if they are suffer marginalization, complex of inferiority or different kinds of poverty should be able to find a space that will offer them welcome (e.g Burmese Mass started only after first visit of Fr. Will Matthews, SDB from Australia, last November 2014 and now we are starting the Swahili Mass for African Catholic community. All lay leaders are invited to look in next two years for concrete action (Don Bosco Past Pupils & Friends of Don Bosco).
- Develop youth ministry in both parishes and schools, with the youth at the center of attention of the whole community of faithful: youth groups animation, formation and service.
- Search with patience and passion for some ‘typically Salesian presence’according the needs of Auckland youth. The presence of Divine Mercy Refuge (based in the Avondale parish) offers some hint in this direction.
- Start immediately the launching of the Salesian Cooperators vocation, in order to make more complete the Don Bosco Salesian Family with this essential group.
In the early morning of May 14, after a simple breakfast at the airport the Rector Major prayed over the confreres and all youth and lay mission partners in Auckland and finished his visit with the blessing of Mary Help of Christians.