4825(II)_How to start the main groups of the Salesian family?

Fruitful exchange between SDB,FMA and Past pupils: EAO Salesian Family delegate formation - Day 2

August 21, 2018

By Our Own Correspondent

Anisakan, Myanmar, 20 August 2018 -- Even on Sunday, August 19 the EAO Salesian Family delegates in Anisakan, Myanmar experience a grace-filled working day. After the morning Eucharist celebrated in the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians (Anisakan quasi-parish) with the presence of hundred of local Catholics and 300 SDB and FMA boarding students, the day was open. Indeed the liturgy of Assumption of Our Lady gave a special festive tone to the whole day.

Also the ongoing presence of the 12 Myanmar SDB and FMA Past Pupils interaction with the 12 SDB and 3 FMA Sisters contributed to the quality of 'mutual joint formation' of religious with our lay people. In the morning session the DB Alumni World Delegate Fr. Raphael Jayapalan introduced the World Confederation Priorities and shared few other useful materials. The hosting province starting Salesian family made a big impact on the whole dynamics and sharing. Enthusiastic Alumni of SDB and FMA education brought a fresh wind.

How can we start the group of Salesian Cooperators? - Fruits of the EAO delegates sharing

• Possible first step: approach SDB/FMA who is friendly and one whom you feel comfortable and express desire to become a Salesian Cooperators. Maybe start with one person, then people those have got the Don Bosco spirit will follow...
• There are many challenges specially here in Myanmar to begin Salesian Cooperators… often there is no activities not only come and talk and go back…
• Our SDB and FMA Sisters have to open the doors to our Past pupils who are willing to join the Salesian Cooperators group…
• Our SDB and FMA Sisters knowing the situations to have a group of cooperators they need to do some activity and offer Christian and moral formation to them…

How can we start the unit of Don Bosco Alumni? - Inspiration of Fr. Jayapalan

• Step 0: Appoint a SDB/ FMA Delegate for the Alumni with a basic formation (Statutes, identity)
• Step 1; The Delegate contacts some of our closer and active Alumni. It starts with a call!
• Step 2: Bring together few of the committed and invited Alumni for the first meeting (around the feast of Don Bosco or else)
• Step 3: Animation (formation) program according the local needs (job placement, family issue> focus)
• Step 4: Next year: elections of the first Alumni leadership, start with their formation
• Step 5: Leaders formation (personal or as federation: national, EAO..)
• Step 6: Start some social, educative or pastoral services at local level: mission brings members together (common projects with the focus of Don Bosco…)

In the evening there was another come-together in the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians a wonderful, vibrant cultural presentation of dances from Shan, Chin and Kachin ethnic groups by the Anisakan Nazareth boys, Anisakan Mornese girls, Salesian Past Pupils and one special song by Fr. Godofredo (FIS provincial). The good night talk with the presentation of one Lay mission partners (Australia), of Salesian Brothers (Vietnam) and the only present Salesian Cooperator (Cambodia).