austraLasia 1637

"We are sons of Don Bosco - how can we say no?": Brothers' Assembly winds up
As promised, an overview of the now completed Assembly of Brothers from the East Asia-Oceania Region (EAO).

PHNOM PENH: 27th August 2006 -- As promised, an overview of the now completed Assembly of Brothers from the East Asia-Oceania Region (EAO).  Most have now left Cambodia and headed home, but with a qualitatively different view of the Salesian lay vocation as it is in the Region at the moment.  "We are sons of Don Bosco - how can we say no?" is a line from Bro Roberto Pannetto at the Assembly, in reference to his response to Cambodia refugees returning to their country from Thailand and asking the Salesians to come with them.  That Brother's and that 'brotherly' response summed up a mood at the Assembly - the response that the Brother makes when he senses God's call to Salesian lay consecrated life, and the response that the Assembly came to as they recommitted themselves to care for and promote the Salesian Brother vocation; to care for those who are living this vocation now, as well as taking steps to seek new candidates.
    A regional product, a DVD on the Salesian Brother, has brought fruits already and encouraged provinces to take their own promotional steps.  EAO 'storytelling' about the Brother has begun, showing some similarity with the dynamic proposed for the First Asian Missionary Congress soon to take place - telling the story of (Jesus, in the case of the latter Congress, the Brother in our case).
    There were the moving experiences of the context of an old but very young (post 'Killing Fields') Cambodian Catholic Church, the deeply touching environment of DB Phnom Penh Technical School, with the sense of a strong attachment to Don Bosco.  The staff of Catholic and Buddhist teachers who showed much interest in and commitment to the event, the cultural presentations by young Cambodians. The Salesian community in Phnom Penh along with their lay co-workers were outstanding in their hospitality.
    The only two non-EAO participants were from South Asia: Fr Chrys Saldanha and Bro. Joseph Das. They were impressed by the colourful diversity of the Region, and members' enthusiasm and dynamism,
    Talks were well-prepared, sharing in groups was honest and open, the Guidelines provided by Fr Cereda (Formation Department) were plumbed for their depth and further clarified for provinces.  The visiting Salesians from South Asia brought the experience and  wisdom.  South Asia holds a similar meeting on a regular 5 year basis.
    The Assembly agreed on details for planning the next of its kind, and on steps to ensure collaboration between provinces in the region to assist in promotion.
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