austraLasia #2030

Spirituality Days of interest to the Salesian Family - and especially for EAO

ROME: 19th January 2008 -- It has been difficult to keep up with writing news items these recent days because of intense involvement with the Salesian Family Spirituality Days, as they are known.  They are days of intense interest and much reflection and work on the Strenna for 2008, about educating according to Don Bosco's heart, educating the whole person, and educating to human rights. There are representatives of the Salesian Family from our region, Salesians and other groups - from Thailand, Japan, just to cite two that come to mind immediately.  You can follow the keynote addresses and indeed just about everything that is happening via the website - easiest way is to go to www.sdb.org and click on the banner heading, then choose your language for viewing. It is worth your while.
    Two surprises, one sad the other joyful.  Just as the 'Days' were starting the Rector Major learned of the death of his brother.  This brother is just a year or so older than him and they were close.  He would love to be there, but as he said to the Salesian Family, it's not a case of 'the show must go on' in Rome, but God 'has given me the charge of being centre of unity for the Salesian Family and this is where I want to be. God will look after my brother now in eternity'.  Impressive sentiments - but the man still carries an evident sadness. Let's pray for him and the family.  Many have responded to the invitation to drop him a line via 'agora' on sdb,org.  He has put his general response to these there already - it would be impossible for him to personally answer everyone.
    The happy surprise was a 'Good morning' from Cardinal Zen who happened to be passing through Rome. Cardinal Zen spoke briefly of the centenary of Salesian presence in China, its moments of glory in difficult times, especially martyrdom (small and 'capital' m), and his enthusiasm for this Strenna on human rights, especially the rights of the young - he cited the case of identity cards for many young Chinese, something he called a 'universal right' to identity. 
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 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 . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2008 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there.  Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at at http://sdl.sdb.org

Title: australasia 2030
Subject and key words: SDB General Salesian Family
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2030