austraLasia 1046
RM's 'centenary' swing: from Guadalajara to
all-India
ROME: 23rd February 2005 -- Fr Pascual Chávez, Rector
Major, is currently moving between Salesian Centenaries. During his
brief stopover in Rome yesterday, he spoke to confreres at 'the Pisana' to
explain how delighted he was to spend a week or so in Guadalajara province
Mexico, his own province of origin, to celebrate 100 years of Salesian presence
there, and how pleased he is to be now going to India. In India, beginning
with Kolkata province, he will celebrate 100 years of Salesian
presence as well as presiding over the first of the Team Visits in this six
year period.
The Rector Major arrives in Kolkata on Thursday 24th
February, but the schedule officially begins on 25th with a visit
to Blessed Teresa of Calcutta's tomb. From then on it is a busy round
of meetings with confreres and Salesian Family.
Besides Kolkata province, the Rector Major will visit
Dimapur province, Guwahati province and Delhi province. It is at
New Delhi that the Team Visit for the South Asia Provincial Conference will
take place, and in fact it is there, on 1st March, at Don Bosco Provincial House
New Delhi that the opening ceremony of the Centenary of Salesian Presence will
formally take place. On this occasion besides the provincials and their
councils from 10 Indian provinces, the Delegations of Sri Lanka and Myanmar
will also be present.
Salesian Family members in India operate from a total of
710 centres across 25 States and 4 Union Territories, with some 2,500 Priests
and Brothers, 2,500 Sisters (FMA, MSMHC, SMI), 3,000 Salesian Cooperators and
thousands more Past Pupils of Don Bosco and FMA past pupils. The SDBs
have been in India since 1906, serving in schools, colleges, technical
institutes, literacy centres, scouts/youth clubs, counselling centres, street
children projects, childline/helpline services, youth research and development,
and volunteer movements in the spirit of St John Bosco.
Following the India visit, in the first week of March
the Rector Major will fly on to Hua Hin, Thailand for the second Team Visit for
the East Asia-Oceania Region.
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