austraLasia #2024


Major gathering of Don Bosco Volunteers from Region in Hua Hin

HUA HIN (Thailand): 10th August 2008 -- The Don Bosco Volunteers (VDB, consecrated Salesian women) from the Asia Region have just concluded their week long (from 2-8 August) Congress at Hua Hin in Thailand.  Some 80 members from the region came together for 'Region 2' on this occasion. One Asian region comprises the Philippines alone since there are many members.  The second region consists of Hong Kong and Macau, Korea, Vietnam, India, Japan and Thailand.  The Congress was for this latter group, for the most part.  It was attended by pretty much the entire VDB Council, making it a truly significant event.
    Fr Zelinda Trenti, the World Ecclesiastical Assistant for the VDB was present at the Congress.  Fr John Berger, who has recently concluded his term as Provincial of Kolkata Province, was the main preacher of the 'retreat' part, since the Congress doubled up as the annual retreat for participants.  The Thai Assistant is Fr John Pertile.
    Participants gathered for the opening Mass at St. Joseph's Church Bampong.  They chose to begin their Congress at St. Joseph's because it is the centrepoint for the Don Bosco Volunteers in Thailand, where they gather monthly.  Fr Pertile also happens to be the Parish Priest there!  Following the Mass they then went on to Hua Hin by bus.
    The Don Bosco Volunteers are in a growth phase in the Asian regions.  The Congress has therefore decided on a third Asian region to consist of Thailand, Vietnam and India.
    Language is always an issue in such a varied region as Asia generally.  English was used as the lingua franca for the Congress and local Assistants translated into local languages as required.
    The Congress concluded on 8th August in the early morning, after which participants headed a further 100 kms south of Hua Hin to visit the famed Waghor Aquarium.  Fr John Bosco Thepharat Pitisant, provincial of the Thai Province, and who was also present during the Congress, acted as guide for the Aquarium visit.

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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 2223
Subject and key words: Sal Fam VDB Asia 2 region
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2223