austraLasia #2630
"Never seen a bigger change...in just 10 months"
TAI, MANGILAO (GUAM): 24 April 2010 -- When the Salesians took over the running of the Father Duenas Memorial School in Guam just a year ago, it was never going to be easy. The three Filipino Salesians appointed to the new presence, at the request of the Archbishop of Guam, Anthony Apuron OFM were following a long tradition but a broken tradition at the school, in that it had been variously administered by religious and lay over the years, and the acceptance of another religious charism could not easily be taken for granted.
Proof of the hard work but also well-thought-through actions of the Salesian team cam just a few days ago when the Western Association for Schools and Colleges in Guam revisited the school and pronounced a positive verdict, which included comments such as "..never seen a bigger change in a school in just 10 months" and "the presence of the Salesian priests has definitely made a positive impact on all aspects of FDMS: involvement of parents, alumni; students proud of the brotherhood; genuine affection of teachers, strong reputation in the Guam community". From a Salesian perspective it seems clear that early efforts to implant the Salesian charism amongst the Chamorro culture of Guam are bearing fruit.
The school population is 83% Catholic and is made up of two large groups, Pacific Islanders 48% and Asians (Filipino, Korean Japanese) 43%. The school was opened in 1949 just four years after the war and the beheading of young Fr Duenas (he was just 30 years of age) by the occupying forces. He was the second Chamorro priest to be ordained and is regarded as a hero of the Chamorro people. The school's new leadership this year organised a pilgrimage to Inarajan, the last parish Fr Duenas served in before being killed. Students and teachers applauded the decision of the Salesians and staff in making this pilgrimage, the first time such had occurred in their memory. The Mass which was the highlight of the pilgrimage was celebrated by the Archbishop in the presence also of members of the Duenas family.
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AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2009 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
"Never seen a bigger change...in just 10 months"
TAI, MANGILAO (GUAM): 24 April 2010 -- When the Salesians took over the running of the Father Duenas Memorial School in Guam just a year ago, it was never going to be easy. The three Filipino Salesians appointed to the new presence, at the request of the Archbishop of Guam, Anthony Apuron OFM were following a long tradition but a broken tradition at the school, in that it had been variously administered by religious and lay over the years, and the acceptance of another religious charism could not easily be taken for granted.
Proof of the hard work but also well-thought-through actions of the Salesian team cam just a few days ago when the Western Association for Schools and Colleges in Guam revisited the school and pronounced a positive verdict, which included comments such as "..never seen a bigger change in a school in just 10 months" and "the presence of the Salesian priests has definitely made a positive impact on all aspects of FDMS: involvement of parents, alumni; students proud of the brotherhood; genuine affection of teachers, strong reputation in the Guam community". From a Salesian perspective it seems clear that early efforts to implant the Salesian charism amongst the Chamorro culture of Guam are bearing fruit.
The school population is 83% Catholic and is made up of two large groups, Pacific Islanders 48% and Asians (Filipino, Korean Japanese) 43%. The school was opened in 1949 just four years after the war and the beheading of young Fr Duenas (he was just 30 years of age) by the occupying forces. He was the second Chamorro priest to be ordained and is regarded as a hero of the Chamorro people. The school's new leadership this year organised a pilgrimage to Inarajan, the last parish Fr Duenas served in before being killed. Students and teachers applauded the decision of the Salesians and staff in making this pilgrimage, the first time such had occurred in their memory. The Mass which was the highlight of the pilgrimage was celebrated by the Archbishop in the presence also of members of the Duenas family.
_________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2009 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
