2784 From all over
austraLasia #2784
 

From all over ....
Aus Floods
Congrats Tavur
Archbishop-elect Savio Hon
Haiti - the future
Updates DB Casket FIN

ROME: 12 January 2011 -- Just like the 'pot pourri' of some weeks ago, this item is a mixture of news from just about anywhere - mainly in response to various emails or even snail mail items that come in asking for just about anything under the sun!  But also to keep people 'out in the backblocks' of wherever a bit updated, since they cannot always access internet and know what is happening around the Region!

AUS FLOODS
No doubt you know that Queensland, especially coastal parts but not only, has been inundated in recent weeks, and that Brisbane is facing major flooding as this is being written.  There has been considerable loss of life for a country that is usually well-equipped to handle disasters it can foresee, and figures will rise given the number of missing people still (as many as 50 in latest estimate but with grave fears for 9 of these). The Brisbane river is vital to the city's transport system but now looks like occupying most of the city as well (rising 5.4 metres above normal), putting paid to land-based transport in the bygoing.
There are no Salesian Houses in Queensland, though various Salesians have relatives there.  My sisters was 'marooned' recently in Rockhampton, but quite safe as her house was on a hill and she had enough food to last until the water went down, and enough people around to kill the hundreds of snakes that were forced uphill!  Still, the situation is dramatic for many ordinary home-owners and more  for the poor.  Keep it prayerfully in mind.

CONGRATS TAVUR
Have been meaning to write about this for somet ime.  PNG/SI have gone up-market in internal communications now for some months and it deserves not only a mention but congratulations. TAVUR, which is the Delegation Newsletter, is a four page colour item managed out of Honiara by Ambrose Pereira with the backing of Catholic Communications Solomons, which he has been the mainstay of now for many years. The Newsletter is very nicely done and they have set up a team of ten correspondents around the far-flung Delegation to enable a monthly product. It comes in here by snail mail so I always get it a month late, but we learn from the pre-Christmas edition that Fr Jess is leaving Gabutu for elsewhere (it doesn't say but that would be local knowledge) after ten years, and that the Apostolic Nuncio has recently blessed new computers donated to the school. (Is there a patron saint of computers? Tell me - I need him or is it her!). The other news is the ten year celebrations at Don Bosco Henderson SI.

ARCHBISHOP-ELECT SAVIO HON
Savio's appointment as number 2 at the Congregation for the Evangelisation of People's is very hot news indeed. He will be consecrated by the Pope on 5 February.  The 'raciest' analysis of this appointment so far seems to have come from 'Whispers in the Loggia' a favourite Catholic Blog: here is a snippet or two from that:
"Just on its own, the unique mix of historic and geopolitical threads is enough to make the rise of Archbishop-elect Savio Hon Tai-Fai a significant news-moment. The 60 year-old theologian's profession in the Salesians of Don Bosco -- the community of Benedict's powerful "Vice-Pope" Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone... and, not coincidentally, no shortage of this pontificate's other top appointees -- adds more still to the nod's prominence, as does the longstanding custom that most of Hon's predecessors as #2 at what's now known (at least, officially) as the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples have gone on to become cardinals.

Now, however, word's emerged that the unprecedented move will be capped with an even higher-octane dose of the "papal treatment" -- one that, given the roots of the Sino-Vatican clash (read: the ordination of bishops without papal mandate), is conspicuously rich in irony
".

So you see what I mean - racy.  On a steadier note, UCAN (actually, Whispers also quotes this) notes:
"As a Chinese priest assuming the most senior post ever in the Roman Curia, Archbishop-elect Hon told ucanews.com recently that he has felt “pressure every day” since the announcement on Dec. 23.
“I’m reluctant to leave my hometown and take the Vatican post, but I will devote every effort to follow God’s will,” he said.
He said he would pray for “humility to put down oneself, wisdom to discern God’s will, patience to respect the others’ pace, joy to share with others, strength to complete his duty, charity to treat the others well and perseverance to seek the Church’s greatest interests.”
He admitted that his teacher and confrere Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun’s deep insight and sense of justice had inspired him.
“We should respect the underground Catholics who have been loyal to their faith and understand the value of their existence,” he said.
“It is too hasty and one-sided to ask them to join the ‘open’ Church because of problem in priestly formation and other difficulties that they encounter.”
On guarding Church principles such as bishop ordination without papal approval, “I am a hardliner,” he said
".

HAITI- THE FUTURE
Today is the Haiti earthquake anniversary. We have just altered the 'HELP' pic on sdb.org to something far more positive, one year on. (Incidentally, that pic, which was then used all around the world, was contributed by our region, thanks to Fr Al Rodas, Cambodia, who got a Colombian artist friend of his to draw it). Also, if you click on it it will take you to another more hopeful pic and the original appeal letter of the Rector Major. Under the inside pic is a link that you can visit to go to the Salesian Missions NR web page on Haiti. SM is the coordinating body for the Congregation regarding Haiti.  Worth looking at.  Our Region has been a significant contributor to the Haiti Fund.

UPDATES ON DB CASKET FIN
VICTORIA, Tarlac--At exactly 12:00 noon yesterday, 10 January, the relic pilgrimage of Don Bosco entered the province of Tarlac.

The relic caravan was welcomed at Brgy. Masalasa, Victoria, Tarlac by Mayor Candido Guiam and Fr. Ramon Borja with their respective delegates. Flocked by school children, farmers, marching band and various folks from different walks of life, the relics of St. John Bosco became a curious sight to a far-flung town and its townsfolk who might have never heard of the Saint save for that day.

The location for the welcoming of the arrival of the relic has a semblance in the humble beginning s of the father and teacher of youth. Growing up in the outskirts of Castelnuovo d'Asti, province of Piedmont, Italy, little Johnny was obliged to work in their farm for them to survive the rough everyday life brought forth by the conclusion of the French revolution and the rise of industrialization.

Humble Beginnings

Humble as they might have been, the town of Victoria, led by its mayor, gave a warm welcome to the simple Saint. Mayor Guiam insisted that the convoy passes by their town for, together with 77 other alumni, they would like to grace the relic with a warm welcome. He assessed later that they, in turn, were more than blessed to receive the grace and blessing brought forth by the relic. Being a Bosconian himself, he narrated how he was inspired by the Salesians then to go to Italy and see Don Bosco himself. He said, "kaso hindi ako makapunta kaya siya na mismo ang pumunta dito para makita tayo." (I never had the chance to go and visit him, that's why Don Bosco just came here to see us.)

Speaking of humility, the arrival of the relics at Don Bosco Technical Institute - Tarlac highlights a couple of notable things: the school's 64th anniversary and the Salesians' 60 years of presence in the Philippines. The humble beginning of the school which started in an old hotel is now the continuation of the "dream" of Don Bosco.

Live the Dream

Our father and founder has been known for building schools, oratories, and even basilicas during his lifetime. Under the inspiration of the theme song of the relic visit of Don Bosco, "Live the Dream", DB-Tarlac continues its quest for excellence in molding tomorrow's servant-leaders by renovating the building and upgrading the equipments of the school.

Indeed, the Bosconian alumni themselves responded to the challenge of living Don Bosco's dream. People who wish to help—talking about humility—chose to remain anonymous, have been approaching the  school principal, Fr. Jayson David—an alumnus himself. One has pledged to shoulder a wing in the new building; one batch is pledging for a construction of a classroom; another batch promised to sponsor a scholar; and another, will organizing a fund-raising project. One artistic alumnus made a mosaic of Don Bosco using tiles so the relic will have a beautiful backdrop to match its majesty.

Answered Prayers

Within just a day here in Tarlac, the saint of the youth has done wonders in inspiring past pupils to take part in living Don Bosco's dream and making it their very own dream too.

Note: The author of this article is an alumnus himself; he was "all
the more inspired" to write this article upon having a glimpse of the
relic.

~
Ryan Gonzales
Salesian Educator, DBTI Tarlac

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