1632 Day One of Brothers' Assembly
austraLasia 1632

Windows on a world!  Day one of Brothers' Assembly EAO

PHNOM PENH: 22 August 2006:  Bro. Ed Villordon gave the day its character, really, when he provided his life experience vignettes - a kind of 'my favourite Salesian' talk or what attracted him to be a Salesian and a Brother.  He began with the time, as a youngster, the Salesian in charge caught him coming through the window rather than the door, so gently asked him 'why not the door?', and Bro. ed went on from there to become, now a formator in the Philippines, formation delegate and key man at the Centre for Brother Formation.
    But day one provided more than Ed's initial 'window' on Salesian life.  It was a day full of experiences, sharing and bon homie. Brothers began to come to grips with why Brothers are rather than what Brothers are - at least that was the point made in Fr Cereda's contribution read by Fr Chrys Saldanha (the former being unable to attend due to other engagements).  The issue at the heart of things is the consecrated lay Salesian, the 'why' rather than the 'what'.
    The day was billed as a family day - Salesians together, Brothers and priests, young and old, and those for whom the Salesians exist - Cambodia's young people who took the group through an experience of the Kingdom of Cambodia in music.  The Eucharist and a meal cemented the family.
    Readers of austraLasia may follow the proceedings at least in textual form, by going to www.bosconet.aust.com and clicking on either of the references to the Brothers Assembly 2006.  Readers may then select each of the days as they proceed to read particularly the material coming out of mixed group discussions.  This is already providing a most valuable 'window' on consecrated lay Salesian life as it is being lived, challenged, and now projected into the future

   
GLOSSARY
Looks like a French day today...
vignettes: French but adopted into English for little pictures (including word pictures)
bon homie: French but also adopted into English and meaning good friendship and warmth
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