"Please switch off your mobile phones, in the name of the
Father...."
HUA HIN: 5th August 2007 -- Not all moments at the Hua Hin
gathering of Rectors from EAO Region are serious, and who better to
introduce a lighter tone, than Fr Mosese Vitolio Tui, Rector and Novice
master in Fiji (and therefore member of the AUL province). Fr
Mosese was introducing the idea of 'selling' Don Bosco to the confreres
by being a happy Salesian, and he drew on a recent Samoan mobile phone
marketing campaign which has meant so many of the gadgets swamping a
small population that the priest now has to remind his people to
turn them off before Mass!
The point being made was, of course a serious one.
The AUL province took responsibility for Friday 4th, commemoration of
St. John Vianney. Each day a province leads the liturgy and other
events, to give it a particular flavour. On Friday 3rd, when the
day's theme was of compassion, the votive mass of the Sacred Heart was
chosen (the day was sponsored by FIS), and the homilist that time was
Fr Gene Taqueban, former missionary in Ethiopia and now in charge of
Davao Boys Town. He reminded his listeners of the hearts of Jesus, Don
Bosco and the Salesian.
The days have continued to follow a similar pattern
- two major input sessions in the morning, one by Fr Michael Winstanley
offering a biblical reflection, the other by one or other of the other
facilitators (Fr Gustilo FIN or Fr Marsiglio GIA or Fr Danillo Torres
FIN), then some presentations by participating Rectors, in order to
enable others to learn from their companions' experiences, but also to
build up a sense of community and indeed region. There are other
moments which build this sense of community too - basketball, darts or
other games, and participants have been divided into teams (coloured T
shirts provided by FIN), and a photo exhibition enabling each province
to present something of itself.
A powerful formative moment has been the exchange of
ideas after province groups have met together, and where some of the
practical and/or difficult matters are aired. "How can we overcome the
challenges to living our charism" was one question put to the groups,
and the obvious 'challenges' emerged in discussion - secularism,
relativism, lack of knowledge of the preventive system, the challenge
of fraternal correction, inculturating the faith (especially in areas
where syncretism is a risk)....
The rectors have given thought to the personal
project of life, in fact held an open forum on it and what it means,
can mean for them and for the confreres in their community.
Meanwhile, the 'Mobile Team', a concept especially
designed for a far flung and disparate region such as EAO, has been
meeting (Fr Klement, Fr Gustilo, Fr Marsiglio) to consider the progress
of this meeting, and to plan ahead for further formation events in the
region, and ways of responding to formation needs, their own
organisation, and so forth.
Sunday is a day of rest - and a day organised by THA
province to show some of the Thai countryside to visitors. Day of
rest, yes, and much needed. One wonders, though if mobile phones will
really be switched off! _________________ AustraLasia is an
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