austraLasia #2885
Please note: 2 items
Province Day in Australia-Pacific
MELBOURNE: 10 July 2011 -- Closing the annual retreat of 30 members of the Province at the Salesian Retreat House at Lysterfield, Victoria, Australia on 9 July, over 50 Salesians gathered for the celebration of the Province Day. We no longer celebrate the Provincial in this Province, but the Province itself. The preceding retreat had been an outstanding presentation to the SDB’s by Sister Edna Mary Macdonald, FMA, of the life and person of Maria Mazzarello, and her communication of the Salesian charism.
The feature of the celebration was a concelebrated Eucharist, presided over by the outgoing Provincial, Fr Frank Moloney, in the presence of the incoming Provincial, Fr Greg Chambers. As well as Salesians from Australia, there was a representative from the Pacific, two Sisters from different Salesian families, and a group of young Brothers from the Region, currently in formation in Australia.
Fr Moloney spoke of the importance, on this day when we celebrated Jubilees, to look closely to our present and future. In the light of the biblical readings for the celebration of Don Bosco (Ezekiel, Philippians and Matthew), he spoke of the need to look beyond strategic planning, to the Word of God, to reflection on the mystery of God among us, and our Salesian tradition. With the help of the just completed retreat, he used the Letters of Maria Mazzarello, he asked for courage, joy, and the profound humanity that marks our tradition, no matter where we are and what we are doing.
The Eucharist was followed by a celebratory meal, at which all the Jubilarians were celebrated. In the Australia-Pacific Province we formally celebrate those who have been Salesians or Priests for 60, 50, 40 and 25 years. This year we would have also had a Salesian for 75 years and a Priest for 65 years, Fr Alan MacDonald. However, he left us for a better place in February. Bro Michael Lynch spoke eloquently of the achievements (and some of the weaknesses!) of each of the Jubilarians, and raised a toast to them. Fr Lawrie Moate responded in the name of all the Jubiliarians in a profound and touching reflection on our past, present and future that caught many of the ideas that the Provincial had addressed at the Eucharist.
As well as the more solemn events, a trio made up of three of the Jublilarians (Frs Lawrie Moate, John Papworth and Frank Moloney – all 50 years Salesians in 2011) sang a specially composed song about the joys of being elderly!
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Late or on time! Other 'jubilee' events.
There really are so many jubilees, important birthdays around the Region, that it would be difficult to keep up with them all. For example, Fr Dan O'Sullivan is celebrating his 94th birthday (AUL) at the moment! Fr Angelo Botta (not of the Region but as erstwhile secretary of the RM for night on 30 years, well known to everyone) is celebrating 60 years of priesthood. However, we have been asked to note another jubilee, a Golden Jubilee of priesthood celebrated towards the end of June in FIN. We do all these willingly. in gratitude for the witness, and the years of service of so many good men around our region and in the Congregation.
Last June 25, 2011, Fr. Alton Fernandez celebrated his Golden Jubilee of Priestly Ordination. He has been here in the Philippines since the late 60's. He also has 2 other siblings who became Salesian priests--Fr. Sonny (deceased) and Fr. Joe (who is now a formator of the aspirants in Canlubang). Fr. Alton has held various positions in this province. He has been assigned in various Salesian houses (Pampanga, Canlubang, Batulao, Mandaluyong, Provincial House in Makati, Sta. Cruz). Now he is a confessor here at the Seminaryo ng Don Bosco.
The Mass to commemorate his Golden Jubilee as a priest was held at Saint John Bosco Parish in Makati. There were more than 40 concelebrating Salesian priests. The aspirants, post novices and the brothers in theology animated the music and the singing. Salesian sisters, sisters from other Congregations and other members of the Salesian Family also came for the event. After the Mass, dinner was served at the Joy Center of Don Bosco Technical Institute. There were speeches delivered. The brothers in theology rendered a choral piece. There was also a song number from the postnovices.
Fr. Alton's Ordination motto is "Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit."
We invite the confreres to join Fr. Alton in giving glory to the Trinity for the gift of priesthood in the Salesian Congregation
_________________
Please note: 2 items
Province Day in Australia-Pacific
MELBOURNE: 10 July 2011 -- Closing the annual retreat of 30 members of the Province at the Salesian Retreat House at Lysterfield, Victoria, Australia on 9 July, over 50 Salesians gathered for the celebration of the Province Day. We no longer celebrate the Provincial in this Province, but the Province itself. The preceding retreat had been an outstanding presentation to the SDB’s by Sister Edna Mary Macdonald, FMA, of the life and person of Maria Mazzarello, and her communication of the Salesian charism.
The feature of the celebration was a concelebrated Eucharist, presided over by the outgoing Provincial, Fr Frank Moloney, in the presence of the incoming Provincial, Fr Greg Chambers. As well as Salesians from Australia, there was a representative from the Pacific, two Sisters from different Salesian families, and a group of young Brothers from the Region, currently in formation in Australia.
Fr Moloney spoke of the importance, on this day when we celebrated Jubilees, to look closely to our present and future. In the light of the biblical readings for the celebration of Don Bosco (Ezekiel, Philippians and Matthew), he spoke of the need to look beyond strategic planning, to the Word of God, to reflection on the mystery of God among us, and our Salesian tradition. With the help of the just completed retreat, he used the Letters of Maria Mazzarello, he asked for courage, joy, and the profound humanity that marks our tradition, no matter where we are and what we are doing.
The Eucharist was followed by a celebratory meal, at which all the Jubilarians were celebrated. In the Australia-Pacific Province we formally celebrate those who have been Salesians or Priests for 60, 50, 40 and 25 years. This year we would have also had a Salesian for 75 years and a Priest for 65 years, Fr Alan MacDonald. However, he left us for a better place in February. Bro Michael Lynch spoke eloquently of the achievements (and some of the weaknesses!) of each of the Jubilarians, and raised a toast to them. Fr Lawrie Moate responded in the name of all the Jubiliarians in a profound and touching reflection on our past, present and future that caught many of the ideas that the Provincial had addressed at the Eucharist.
As well as the more solemn events, a trio made up of three of the Jublilarians (Frs Lawrie Moate, John Papworth and Frank Moloney – all 50 years Salesians in 2011) sang a specially composed song about the joys of being elderly!
-------
Late or on time! Other 'jubilee' events.
There really are so many jubilees, important birthdays around the Region, that it would be difficult to keep up with them all. For example, Fr Dan O'Sullivan is celebrating his 94th birthday (AUL) at the moment! Fr Angelo Botta (not of the Region but as erstwhile secretary of the RM for night on 30 years, well known to everyone) is celebrating 60 years of priesthood. However, we have been asked to note another jubilee, a Golden Jubilee of priesthood celebrated towards the end of June in FIN. We do all these willingly. in gratitude for the witness, and the years of service of so many good men around our region and in the Congregation.
Last June 25, 2011, Fr. Alton Fernandez celebrated his Golden Jubilee of Priestly Ordination. He has been here in the Philippines since the late 60's. He also has 2 other siblings who became Salesian priests--Fr. Sonny (deceased) and Fr. Joe (who is now a formator of the aspirants in Canlubang). Fr. Alton has held various positions in this province. He has been assigned in various Salesian houses (Pampanga, Canlubang, Batulao, Mandaluyong, Provincial House in Makati, Sta. Cruz). Now he is a confessor here at the Seminaryo ng Don Bosco.
The Mass to commemorate his Golden Jubilee as a priest was held at Saint John Bosco Parish in Makati. There were more than 40 concelebrating Salesian priests. The aspirants, post novices and the brothers in theology animated the music and the singing. Salesian sisters, sisters from other Congregations and other members of the Salesian Family also came for the event. After the Mass, dinner was served at the Joy Center of Don Bosco Technical Institute. There were speeches delivered. The brothers in theology rendered a choral piece. There was also a song number from the postnovices.
Fr. Alton's Ordination motto is "Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit."
We invite the confreres to join Fr. Alton in giving glory to the Trinity for the gift of priesthood in the Salesian Congregation
_________________
