DILI: 7th April 2006 -- One week ago the Salesian Family in
the vice province of Indonesia-East Timor (ITM) took a major step
forward with the consolidation of a 'Consulta' or Advisory Council
consisting of SDB (the ITM Superior, 1 VDB
ecclesiastical assistant, 1 delegate ASC),
FMA (1 delegate ASC, Assistant ADMA), 1
ADMA representative, 2 ASC representatives, 1 Past Pupil. In fact
the Salesian Family Council had been formally established in December
of 2005 and this was its second meeting, but with this second meeting,
and the presence of the Regional Superior Fr Klement, the Council could
now be said to be fully launched.
The EAO Regional explained to the group the basic
principles of its existence and operation - the care it must now take
regarding mutual information, the deepening of a common Salesian
spirituality, and the team work involved in the common mission on
behalf of the young. The group finds its true centre around Don
Bosco through his successor and the one who represents him in ITM, Fr
Andres, the vice province superior. He also explained the
ordinary operation of the Council, how it might function in terms of
organisation and structure.
Currently there are some 105 Timorese SDB, 60 FMA,
1300 ADMA, 6 ASC (plus 30 aspirants), several thousand Past Pupils in 7
centres, 6 VDB aspirants - and these figures are only for the Timorese
part of the vice province. The Council plans to meet every four
months. It has established August 13th as the annual Salesian
Family Feast day to be held at Fatumaca. The 'Feast' of Mamma
Margaret holds special significance in ITM and is celebrated in each
local place on 25 November. Naturally, Don Bosco's Feast day is
celebrated on 31st January.
The Vice province Delegate for the Salesian Family
is Fr Manuel Fraile, the parish priest of Comoro-Dili Mary Help of
Christians Parish.
Different groups in the Family have prepared 2006
monthly leaflets on this year's Strenna. They are simple but very
practical and a good example that others might be able to follow - one A4
page folded over. As the first real input from and amongst the
Family they have been very positively received. There is not yet
a Salesian Bulletin in ITM, though it is in the planning stage.
There are signs of growth amongst the groups of the
Salesian Family most recently begun in ITM. The first group of
VDB aspirants is in formation, under the guidance of Fr Padilla, and
the first formal promise of ASC candidates is expected at the end of
April. The Past Pupils, already well-established, are preparing
for the inauguration of the first statue of Don Bosco in Dili, to be
unveiled in early May. They have located it at the entrance to
the Comoro-Dili grounds and expect that ecclesiastical and government
dignitaries, many of them also past pupils, will attend.
GLOSSARY
VDB: Volunteers of Don Bosco, a Secular
Institute of women living out the Salesian spirit
ASC: Association of Salesian Cooperators,
founded by Don Bosco as the third branch of the Salesian Family
ADMA: Association of Clients of Mary Help
of CHristians, also founded by Don Bosco to promote devotion to MHC
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