austraLasia #3473
EAO Salesians 'in diaspora'
and 'in formation'MELBOURNE (Australia) and POIARES (Portugal): July 24, 2014 -- The formation scene in EAO is a varied one as we know, for its settings and people, part of the richness that sees our region stand out for the number in initial formation.
Then there are those from our region studying outside the region, and those from another region but who have joined ours and are now pursuing their formation here.
Today we look at the steps taken by Brothers:
Charles Arun - Chennai, but now part of the Cambodia Delegation and studying for priesthood in Melbourne, Clifton Hill.
Abilio Gutteres and Lorenço Suarez, East Timor, now studying at Clifton Hill, Melbourne,
Casimiro Morais and Salvador Mauhuno, studying at Evora, Portugal.
Let's begin with Charles, Abilio amd Lorenço or, in the latter two cases, 'Lawrie and Bill' as they have affectionately been named in a country which delights in shortening everything, some would say from the working week onwards. But never fear, dear Provincials - these three are working very hard! Getting their English 'up to scratch' in preparation for theological studies, in the case of the two Timorese, and for Charles - well, in addition to his theology, he carries out a demanding and rewarding apostolate with asylum seekers, especially Sri Lankan Tamil speakers (those few, unfortunately, and very much to the shame of decent Australians, who manage to get through Australia's unrelenting approach to such matters).
On Sunday July 20, Charles received the ministry of acolyte, while Lorenço and Abilio renewed their vows into the hands of the Vice Provincial in AUL, Fr Bernie Graham.
The Clifton Hill formation community, aka Don Bosco House, is ideally situated close to inner city Melbourne, Australian Catholic University, Catholic Theological College, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, and can offer a wide range of studies and apostolates: English, Theology, Spiritual Direction, Youth Ministry, Sabbaticals, Post-Graduate Studies. Salesians from Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Samoa, East Timor, Italy, Brazil, India, just to name some examples, have all found it a place of Salesian warmth and academic and apostolic fruitfulness.
On July 19, instead, but this time 370 km north of Lisbon, in Poiares, Portugal, Casimiro Morais and Salvador Mauhuno from East Timor made their perpetual vows in the presence of Fr Artur Pereira, Provincial of Portugal, two bishops and a large number of Salesian priests and brothers. A group of East Timorese friends and relatives were also present. Casimiro and Salvador did all their initial formation in East Timor then came to Portugal for their 2 years of Practical Training in Poiares and Mirandela. They are pursuing theology studies at Evora, Portugal.
The Salesians in Portugal were having their annual retreat which, this year, was given by the Bishop of Braganca-Miranda, Jose Cordeiro. As a conclusion to the retreat, the perpetual profession ceremony was held in the Parish church at Poiares. Since Timorese Bishop Carlos Belo SDB was also attending the retreat, the ceremony took on a more solemn character since there were two bishops present.
The Salesian community at Poiares, already in this town for 90 years, is made up of 8 confreres taking care of a school of 400 students and two parishes. It is also the home of the famous "Banda Juvenil Salesiana de Poiares" that has been invited to many places and even played during the 2013 Salesian Family Spirituality Days in Rome. The two Timorese brothers, in fact, are also members of this band.
EAO Salesians 'in diaspora'
and 'in formation'
Then there are those from our region studying outside the region, and those from another region but who have joined ours and are now pursuing their formation here.
Today we look at the steps taken by Brothers:
Charles Arun - Chennai, but now part of the Cambodia Delegation and studying for priesthood in Melbourne, Clifton Hill.
Abilio Gutteres and Lorenço Suarez, East Timor, now studying at Clifton Hill, Melbourne,
Casimiro Morais and Salvador Mauhuno, studying at Evora, Portugal.
Let's begin with Charles, Abilio amd Lorenço or, in the latter two cases, 'Lawrie and Bill' as they have affectionately been named in a country which delights in shortening everything, some would say from the working week onwards. But never fear, dear Provincials - these three are working very hard! Getting their English 'up to scratch' in preparation for theological studies, in the case of the two Timorese, and for Charles - well, in addition to his theology, he carries out a demanding and rewarding apostolate with asylum seekers, especially Sri Lankan Tamil speakers (those few, unfortunately, and very much to the shame of decent Australians, who manage to get through Australia's unrelenting approach to such matters).
On Sunday July 20, Charles received the ministry of acolyte, while Lorenço and Abilio renewed their vows into the hands of the Vice Provincial in AUL, Fr Bernie Graham.
The Clifton Hill formation community, aka Don Bosco House, is ideally situated close to inner city Melbourne, Australian Catholic University, Catholic Theological College, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, and can offer a wide range of studies and apostolates: English, Theology, Spiritual Direction, Youth Ministry, Sabbaticals, Post-Graduate Studies. Salesians from Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Samoa, East Timor, Italy, Brazil, India, just to name some examples, have all found it a place of Salesian warmth and academic and apostolic fruitfulness.
On July 19, instead, but this time 370 km north of Lisbon, in Poiares, Portugal, Casimiro Morais and Salvador Mauhuno from East Timor made their perpetual vows in the presence of Fr Artur Pereira, Provincial of Portugal, two bishops and a large number of Salesian priests and brothers. A group of East Timorese friends and relatives were also present. Casimiro and Salvador did all their initial formation in East Timor then came to Portugal for their 2 years of Practical Training in Poiares and Mirandela. They are pursuing theology studies at Evora, Portugal.
The Salesians in Portugal were having their annual retreat which, this year, was given by the Bishop of Braganca-Miranda, Jose Cordeiro. As a conclusion to the retreat, the perpetual profession ceremony was held in the Parish church at Poiares. Since Timorese Bishop Carlos Belo SDB was also attending the retreat, the ceremony took on a more solemn character since there were two bishops present.
The Salesian community at Poiares, already in this town for 90 years, is made up of 8 confreres taking care of a school of 400 students and two parishes. It is also the home of the famous "Banda Juvenil Salesiana de Poiares" that has been invited to many places and even played during the 2013 Salesian Family Spirituality Days in Rome. The two Timorese brothers, in fact, are also members of this band.
