5184(III)_Annual Formation Gathering 2019

Australia-Pacific

August 28, 2019

By Nattawut (Por) Kitsawad, Thomas

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 26 August 2019 -- Last weekend, 23-26 August 2019, Fr Phil Gleeson SDB the provincial delegate for Formation and the Rector of Don Bosco Formation House, Clifton Hill (Melbourne) organised the Annual Formation Gathering 2019 which was held at Chestnut Hill Conference Lodge, Kallista on the outskirts of the city. The theme of the gathering this year was “St Francis de Sales’ Method of Inner Prayer.”

There were 11 young Salesians who came from Samoa, Fiji and Melbourne, made up of 3 young priests, 1 deacon, and 7 perpetually professed clerics. This year, the key speaker was Fr Chris Ford SDB, rector of Salesian community Lysterfield. Apart from the inner prayers sessions from Fr Chris, Fr William Matthews SDB, Provincial of the Australia- Pacific Province came along and shared the Strenna reflections 2019: “Holiness to You too” to all young priests and brothers.

The annual formation gathering offered a simple structure filled with important moments of learning, sharing, and reflection. Additionally, this gathering also gave opportunities for the young Salesians to meet, pray together, and to share stories in the joyful spirit of Don Bosco.