PGS celebrates annual Salesian Family Day

By Mr. Remegio Harold A. Argante, ASC

Port Moresby, PNG, 9 April 2018 -- With the theme Cultivating the Art of Listening and Accompaniment - the 2018 Strenna of the Rector Major, the PGS Salesian Family met again to celebrate its annual Salesian Family Day on the 7th April, Saturday.

The program was held at the gymnasium of Don Bosco Technical School, Gabutu.

The Family Day started at 10:00 a.m. with the different fun games spearheaded by the Past Pupils which was an energizer for those present. They participated and showed their comradeship as united members of the Salesian family and treated the games as nothing but a healthy competition.

The enriching talk by Fr. Savio Angelo Sanchez, PGS Provincial Delegate for the Salesian Family, about the encounter of Jesus with the Samaritan woman brought up the challenge to everyone the need to encounter each other by listening. The video on the Strenna by Fr. Angel Fernandez Artime, left the Salesian family to reflect on ways of what they can do to accompany the young on their journey through life. Fr. Angel’s talk climaxed in a group reflection and sharing during which the members gave responses based on the questions reflecting the theme of the Family Day.

After the talk, a sumptuous lunch prepared by the different members of the Salesian family was shared by everyone in abundance and in the spirit of joy and satisfaction. Eventually, Item presentations followed led by the Salesians of Don Bosco as they sang a song about St. John Bosco in Latin. Other Salesian groups performed a variety of songs and interpretative dances were the ADMA, Past Pupils, Caritas Sisters of Mary, Salesian Cooperators, NCD Chapter, Michaelite, and the Aspirants. The FMA Sister screened a video on Mornese.

On the other hand, the Association of the Salesian Cooperators, (Kokopo Chapter), with its president, Ms. Bellie Gutierrez, and with the assistance of Mr. Jose Noli Genovia, ASC Kokopo Chapter candidate, prepared and showcased slides on how the ASC started in Kokopo as well as the many endeavors the group has done since it started such as its outreach activities, spiritual formations, catechisms and holy mass animations in the different parishes.

This momentous event culminated with the Holy Mass held at Don Bosco Church, officiated by Fr. Alfred Maravilla, SDB PGS Provincial, with the rest of the Salesian priests present at this event. The highlight of the Holy Mass was the Apostolic Promise made by the ten (10) new Salesian Cooperators, (NCD Chapter). After two years and a half of undergoing formation with the in-charge formator and Fr. Ambrose Pereira, SDB, they were able to reach the summit of being candidates to become full-fledged members of the Salesian family.

Fr. Provincial emphasized that the increase of the Salesian family members is a good sign of cultivating the art of listening and accompaniment with the young. Other Cooperators who witnessed the occasion welcomed the newly-professed Salesian Cooperators with great enthusiasm when they stood up and shook hands with them as they offered their congratulatory words.

Picture-taking with the rest of the Salesian Cooperators together with the Salesians of Don Bosco eventuated that signaled the end of the Family Day on a high note.

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