2827 Honda Motorcycles-Indonesia begins training cooperation with Don Bosco Sumba
austraLasia #2827

Honda Motorcycles-Indonesia begins training cooperation with Don Bosco Sumba
(two items associated with Don Bosco Relic - see below for China)

WEEPANGALI, Sumba Barat Daya, Indonesia: 24 March 2011 -- During the visit of Don Bosco's relic in Jakarta, the SDB Indonesia delegation of ITM prayed for blessings and expansion within the country. And it seems that the prayers were answered on the feast of St. Joseph, where a ceremony of significant importance took place in Sumba. The Indonesian subsidiary of Honda Motorcycles based in Surabaya has reached agreement with the Salesian training centre, Sumba - making our institute an official training center for Honda motorcycle technicians for the eastern region of Indonesia.
    This event was also significant not only because of the presence of the director and president of PT. MPM (Surabaya) - Honda, but because this was also witnessed by the Mayor of Sumba Barat Daya and the Bishop of Sumba (Edmund Woga CssR). In their speeches during the ceremony, they all commented on the situation this backward region faces and the needs of the youth. They also praised the role of the Salesians in setting up this training centre for young people.
    The SDB Sumba community, with 9 Salesians, cares for the Salesian Novitiate and the training centre named "Balai Latihan Kerja Don Bosco Budi Daya." Eleven years ago, the Salesians responded to the invitation of the former bishop of Sumba, Bishop Kerubim SVD, to take over a declining carpentry training centre. A few years later, in 2008, Fr. Yohannes Boediraharjo SDB, as provincial economer, signed an agreement with Jugend Dritte Welt (Germany) for financing the building and equipment needs of the training centre, with courses in carpentry, electrical and automotive technology. Now as the ITM superior for the Indonesian delegation, he continues to lead the completion of the project that has been extended for another 6 months - until June 2011. Currently, this institute has trained 70 boys from the three courses this year... And hopefully more will be able to join it before the end of the year.


DB Relic arrives in Hong Kong

Hong Kong: March 2011 –“St. John Bosco has come.” Fr. Simon Lam, Provincial of China Province addressed the Salesian Family at the welcoming ceremony for the arrival of Don Bosco’s Relic on 17 March. “For various reasons, the relic has arrived earlier than we expected. Actually, Don Bosco wished to visit China as early as in 1886. He dreamed about his confreres working for youth in Hong Kong and Beijing 100 years before. However, Salesian missionaries did not arrive until 1906. Don Rua, the first successor of Don Bosco, sent Fr Louis Versiglia and other missionaries to work in China. Bishop Louis sacrificed his life for God and China Province".
The Relic arrived at HK International Airport by private plane. The Salesian China Province organised a welcoming ceremony at the Ex Skylimo, Hong Kong International Airport. More than 200 Salesian Family members joined the ceremony. A Guard of Honour from Salesian Yip Hon Primary School and Salesian Yip Hon Millennium Primary School performed Giu’ Dai Colli to escort the Casket, while Cardinal Zen officiated at the ceremony.
    Cardinal Zen remarked, “Don Bosco has arrived at a place that he dreamed about. His presence consolidates our belief. He unites us with Jesus Christ to grant us eternal life and brings the fruit of life to youth. It is important to treasure these days that we can stay with Don Bosco, to pray for those who are in need especially abandoned young people. For Don Bosco's confreres this is a chance for us to review our religious vocation and apostolic life.”
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