austraLasia #2885
Please note: 2 items
Province Day in Australia-Pacific
MELBOURNE: 10 July 2011 -- Closing the annual retreat
of 30 members of the Province at the Salesian Retreat House
at Lysterfield, Victoria, Australia on 9 July, over 50
Salesians gathered for the celebration of the Province
Day. We no longer celebrate the Provincial in this
Province, but the Province itself. The preceding
retreat had been an outstanding presentation to the SDB’s by
Sister Edna Mary Macdonald, FMA, of the life and person of
Maria Mazzarello, and her communication of the Salesian
charism.
The feature of the celebration was a
concelebrated Eucharist, presided over by the outgoing
Provincial, Fr Frank Moloney, in the presence of the
incoming Provincial, Fr Greg Chambers. As well as
Salesians from Australia, there was a representative from
the Pacific, two Sisters from different Salesian families,
and a group of young Brothers from the Region, currently in
formation in Australia.
Fr Moloney spoke of the importance,
on this day when we celebrated Jubilees, to look closely to
our present and future. In the light of the biblical
readings for the celebration of Don Bosco (Ezekiel,
Philippians and Matthew), he spoke of the need to look
beyond strategic planning, to the Word of God, to reflection
on the mystery of God among us, and our Salesian
tradition. With the help of the just completed
retreat, he used the Letters of Maria Mazzarello, he asked
for courage, joy, and the profound humanity that marks our
tradition, no matter where we are and what we are doing.
The Eucharist was followed by a
celebratory meal, at which all the Jubilarians were
celebrated. In the Australia-Pacific Province we
formally celebrate those who have been Salesians or Priests
for 60, 50, 40 and 25 years. This year we would have
also had a Salesian for 75 years and a Priest for 65 years,
Fr Alan MacDonald. However, he left us for a better
place in February. Bro Michael Lynch spoke eloquently
of the achievements (and some of the weaknesses!) of each of
the Jubilarians, and raised a toast to them. Fr Lawrie
Moate responded in the name of all the Jubiliarians in a
profound and touching reflection on our past, present and
future that caught many of the ideas that the Provincial had
addressed at the Eucharist.
As well as the more solemn events,
a trio made up of three of the Jublilarians (Frs Lawrie
Moate, John Papworth and Frank Moloney – all 50 years
Salesians in 2011) sang a specially composed song about the
joys of being elderly!
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Late or on time! Other 'jubilee' events.
There really are so many jubilees, important birthdays
around the Region, that it would be difficult to keep up
with them all. For example, Fr Dan O'Sullivan is celebrating
his 94th birthday (AUL) at the moment! Fr Angelo Botta
(not of the Region but as erstwhile secretary of the RM for
night on 30 years, well known to everyone) is celebrating 60
years of priesthood. However, we have been asked to
note another jubilee, a Golden Jubilee of priesthood
celebrated towards the end of June in FIN. We do all these
willingly. in gratitude for the witness, and the years of
service of so many good men around our region and in the
Congregation.
Last June 25, 2011, Fr. Alton Fernandez celebrated his
Golden Jubilee of Priestly Ordination. He has been here in
the Philippines since the late 60's. He also has 2 other
siblings who became Salesian priests--Fr. Sonny (deceased)
and Fr. Joe (who is now a formator of the aspirants in
Canlubang). Fr. Alton has held various positions in this
province. He has been assigned in various Salesian houses
(Pampanga, Canlubang, Batulao, Mandaluyong, Provincial House
in Makati, Sta. Cruz). Now he is a confessor here at the
Seminaryo ng Don Bosco.
The Mass to commemorate his Golden
Jubilee as a priest was held at Saint John Bosco Parish in
Makati. There were more than 40 concelebrating Salesian
priests. The aspirants, post novices and the brothers in
theology animated the music and the singing. Salesian
sisters, sisters from other Congregations and other members
of the Salesian Family also came for the event. After the
Mass, dinner was served at the Joy Center of Don Bosco
Technical Institute. There were speeches delivered. The
brothers in theology rendered a choral piece. There was also
a song number from the postnovices.
Fr. Alton's Ordination motto is "Glory to
the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit."
We invite the confreres to join Fr. Alton in giving glory to
the Trinity for the gift of priesthood in the Salesian
Congregation
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