Cagliero Project - the Gospel in action, Salesian
missionary initiative from Australia Pacific
MELBOURNE: 16th August 2007 -- Taking its cue not only from
the Congregation's first missionary, but also from a line in Strenna
2007 (..'In carrying out voluntary service young adults learn to be
responsible citizens and committed Christians'), the Australia-Pacific
province (AUL) yesterday launched its 'Cagliero Project' by opening up
to applications from young Australians between the ages of 20-30 years
who will, after appropriate training, be working together with members
of Salesian communities worldwide in a true spirit of joyful, loving
and selfless service.
The Cagliero Project aims to have 50 missionaries in
countries around the world by the year 2012, each committed for a year
of missionary service. The Provincial, in a letter addressed to all
other provincials of the East Asia-Oceania Region, explains that the
Cagliero project hopes to be in a position to send out its first
Salesian Lay Missionaries in February 2008. "We do not see them as
'volunteers'", he says, "but as young people who have received some
Salesian formation, and are ready to work side by side with the
Salesians, in Australia or in the Region".
It would not be too dramatic to say that the
connection between youth and the Church in Australia is in crisis...the
aim is that this program will help connect youth to the Church through
a main charism of the Catholic Church - social justice. The project has
been long in the planning, and draws from the experience of mainstream
Salesian ventures of a similar kind - one could go to the most recent
FOCUS on www.sdb.org, for example, to note that Jugend Eine Welt
of Austria is currently celebrating ten years of experience in this
field.
The actual mission sites will be determined in three
ways. The first is to send people within the Province. Some may prefer
to assist a Salesian work in Australia. There are many opportunities
for volunteer mission in Samoa. The second place to send people
will be within the East Asia Oceania Region. The final placement option
os to look at other Salesian missions around the world.
Further information about the project may be gleaned
from another just-launched project of the province - the completely new
province website at sdb.org.au. We will look for another opportunity to
run a few brief notes on what looks to be an exciting website,
beautifully presented. _________________ AustraLasia is an
email
service
for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions
as an
agency for ANS based in
Rome.
For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com
.
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