Cagliero11_2021_09_eng


Cagliero11_2021_09_eng

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CAGLIER0 11
newsletter for Salesian
Missionarv Animation
~ ..
Publication of the missions sector for SOB communities and friends of the salesian mission
Pakistan – Salesian presence ft
among our Muslim brothers and
sisters
Dea fr;ends and
corifre P~
Caglieroll's theme for the
month, "RESPONSIBILTY - an
eco-sustainable lifestyle", remin-
ded me of Don Bosco's words in
The Young Man:
"Lift up y our eyes, my children.
and see what there is in the
heavens and on earth. The sun,
the moon, the stars, the air, the
water. the fire are all things that
once did not exist. But there is a
God, who in his o mnipotence
created them, bringing them out
of no thing."
From his experience at the feet of
Mamma Margaret who taught
him to know how to contemplate
God in nature, Don Bosco trained
his boys for this "simple gaze", a
revelation of God's love. There is
no doubt that the ecological
issue is a rea lity that challenges
us, and I want to share in your
conc ern for a matter o f vital
importance for humanity. It is
everyone's business. we are all
responsible.
Since its foundation in 1999, Salesian work has continued to grow in Pakistan.
We offer our service to the young people most in need, especially among the
Christian communities, but we remain open to young Muslims.
Today we are four Salesians distributed between two communities: in Lahore
and in Quetta. Fr Noble Lal and Fr Samuel Adnan are the first two Salesians from
Pakistan, now directors of the two communities. There is a Salesian coadjutor
from Italy, Piero Ramella. Fr Gabriel Cruz from Mexico is the head of the
Delegation. 'Father Gabo', as he is called. has been in Pakistan since 2018. Since
April 2021 he oversees the Delegation of Pakistan and all the members of the
Delegation outside the country as well.
"Some congregations like the Dominicans, Franciscans and others, have been in
Pakistan since a long time and have many vocations," says Fr Gabo. "we, also
have them. We are the only Religious Congregation in the country that offers
technical education. Our "Don Bosco Technical School & Youth Centre" is
among the top six technical schools in Pakistan. It is the only Catholic school
among them; the others are /v1uslim."
Salesia ns offer education not only to Christians (Catholics and Protestants), but
also to Muslims. who come to us because we them offer quality education. We
collaborate a lot with the dioceses and in the parishes in which our institutions
are. We also teach in the inter-diocesan seminary.
The Muslim community respects and appreciates the work we do in the country.
Christians may practise their faith, especially in our neighbourhoods and parish
areas. Unfortunately, in some parts of the country Christian communities are
persecuted or discriminated against; so, it is not always easy to proclaim the
faith openly. Yet. Christians live their faith with beautiful devotion and at depth.
Perhaps the question comes to mind, "What use is the Salesian presence in
such a strongly Muslim country?" Fr Gabo replie s: "We offer the youth the same
things that Don Bosco wanted for all his young people: a home, bread, integral
formation, education and, above all, religion - in a word: dignity. Through
education we offer them a certain standard of living, more possibilities of getting
a good job and capacity to live with dignity for themselves and their families.
That's no sma ll thing."
FOR REFLECTION
AND SHARING
▀ Don Juan Carlos Pérez
Godoy, SDB
Regional Councillor for the
Mediterranean Region
▀ Am I willing to see
Christ also in those who
profess another faith?
Don Gaba (in red sw eatshirt)
with the Salesian aspirants

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DIVERSITY THAT
ENRICHES EVERYONE
Lauren, you have been working with Salesian missionary volunteers for
many years now. What is unique or special about the "Cagliero Project" in
your province?
We have been blessed to have so many incredible volunteers give of their
time, energy, gifts and talents since we began the Cagliero Project in 2007.
The Salesian charism is the foundation and strength of our program In
Australia, this is quite an achievement as we live in an incredibly secular
society. We welcome all volunteers who have a desire to work and journey
with young people. What is amazing is many of whom would not have
identified with any formal aspect of Catholicism, or any religion, return and
call themselves 'Salesian' and commit to following in the footsteps of Don
Bosco.
What can the Salesian Mission of the AUL Province (Australia, New Zealand,
Western Samoa and Fiji) offer that can enrich the whole Salesian world?
We have such a diverse and rich province comprising of four incredibly
different countries and many different cultures and ways of looking at the
world. To fly from one end of our Province to the other would take at least
12 hours and many different flights! Of course, there are challenges with
this diversity but most importantly it encourages us to always be open to
different ways of thinking. Ultimately, our diversity leads us to an expanded
understanding of humanity - this is a great gift.
Till recently you were the only lay woman Provincial Delegate for
Missionary Animation (POMA) in the congregation. How do you find
yourself in this role?
When I attended my first PDMA regional meeting in 2016, I was nervousl
How will I be welcomed as a lay person and a woman7 I shared this with
fr Guillermo Basaftes. He, after the meeting, said, "We were nervous too!" I
had no reason to be nervous: all the wonderful Salesian priests and
brothers I have worked with have been so welcoming to me in this role
over the last five years and I am truly grateful. We dialogue as equals and I
think this is a true testament to the openness of the Salesians of Don Bosco.
I love bringing a different voice and a different point of view as a POMA and
I am truly honoured by the opportunity to be involved in the Congregation
in this unique way.
Ms. Lauren Hichaaba
Lauren grew up in Melbourne
Australia; however. she was in the
United States to attend high school
and university. After graduating with
a degree in Religion and Theatre,
Lauren spent two years as a teacher
in Zambia
This experience inspired he r to obtain
her BA in Teaching in Melbourne and
then, later, a Masters in Development
Studies. Lauren has worked with the
Salesians of Don Bosco for 15 years
and is the Provincial Delegate for
Missionary Animation. and the
Director and Co-founder of Project
Cagliero. the Salesian Missionary
Volunteer Program for Australia
Pacific (AUL).
She is the mother of four beautiful
and lively children (pictured vvith son
Xavier)
▀
has recently been created to offer support and
opportunities for connection to those who are involved in the Salesian
Missionary Voluntary Service (SMVS}.
▀ It is a group of
• and . ~mim:J[i) (Rafael Bejarano, Marco Fulgaro, Lauren
Hichaaba, JC Montenegro, Adam Rudin and Pavel Zenisek) with long-time experience of working in
Salesian volunteer programs.
▀ It is aimed at anyone who needs direction or support in creating volunteer programs. Here is
email you can contact:
An environmentally sustainable
lifestyle
For Salesians’ and young people's environmentally
responsible behaviour in Australia
We pray that we all will make courageous choices for a simple and
environmentally sustainable lifestyle, rejoicing in our young people
who are resolutely committed to this. [Pope Francis’ prayer intention]