austraLasia #2752
Australia-Pacific Quinquennium in Samoa
by Fr Will Mathews
Apia (Samoa): 22 November 2010 -- Young Salesian priests from the Province of Mary Help of Christians, Australia-Pacific, who are within the first five years of ordination, gathered recently at Tofa Mamao Samoan Religious Cultural Centre for a three-days seminar run by Fr Francis Gustilo from the North Philippines province. Nine 'young' priests, (some of whom may be only young at heart), participated in this seminar. They have come from Adelaide, Alafua, Fiji, Hobart, Melbourne and Salelologa.
The major theme of the seminar was "Don Bosco: the originality of his Priesthood". All sessions were solidly structured and presented from the wealth of the presenter's own experience.
The tropical heavenly weather of Samoa tempted a number of participants to nod off. Yet, the interesting nature of the presenter and the relevance of the topics kept everyone (including the presenter!) alert.
Fr. Taisali, a young rector, was the coordinator of liturgy while long time missionary in Samoa, Fr Nick Castelyns, kept an eye on the physical needs of the confreres during the seminar.
All nine priests together with Fr Francis also concelebrated the Sunday Eucharist led by Fr Falani at Leauva parish on Sunday morning. It is always inspiring and uplifting experience to be part of a joyful and meaningful Samoan Mass on a Sunday.
In addition to the seminar, the Salesians traveling from Australia spent an extra two days in Samoa for sightseeing, spending quality time with the local confreres and visiting Salesian sisters.
Over all, Salesian works in Samoa are doing well with the technical college in Alafua, and a parish each in Leauva, Sinamoga and Savaii villages.
A new Salesian secondary school is planned to open in early 2011 in Savaii Island where a community has already been established for its preparation.
_________________
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 2010 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
Australia-Pacific Quinquennium in Samoa
by Fr Will Mathews
Apia (Samoa): 22 November 2010 -- Young Salesian priests from the Province of Mary Help of Christians, Australia-Pacific, who are within the first five years of ordination, gathered recently at Tofa Mamao Samoan Religious Cultural Centre for a three-days seminar run by Fr Francis Gustilo from the North Philippines province. Nine 'young' priests, (some of whom may be only young at heart), participated in this seminar. They have come from Adelaide, Alafua, Fiji, Hobart, Melbourne and Salelologa.
The major theme of the seminar was "Don Bosco: the originality of his Priesthood". All sessions were solidly structured and presented from the wealth of the presenter's own experience.
The tropical heavenly weather of Samoa tempted a number of participants to nod off. Yet, the interesting nature of the presenter and the relevance of the topics kept everyone (including the presenter!) alert.
Fr. Taisali, a young rector, was the coordinator of liturgy while long time missionary in Samoa, Fr Nick Castelyns, kept an eye on the physical needs of the confreres during the seminar.
All nine priests together with Fr Francis also concelebrated the Sunday Eucharist led by Fr Falani at Leauva parish on Sunday morning. It is always inspiring and uplifting experience to be part of a joyful and meaningful Samoan Mass on a Sunday.
In addition to the seminar, the Salesians traveling from Australia spent an extra two days in Samoa for sightseeing, spending quality time with the local confreres and visiting Salesian sisters.
Over all, Salesian works in Samoa are doing well with the technical college in Alafua, and a parish each in Leauva, Sinamoga and Savaii villages.
A new Salesian secondary school is planned to open in early 2011 in Savaii Island where a community has already been established for its preparation.
_________________
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 2010 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
