austraLasia #2332

How the 150th is being approached around the region - AUL

MELBOURNE: 21st January 2009 -- With the rapid approach of 31st January which this year marks the beginning of the 'year of grace' to celebrate 150 years of the Salesian Congregation, austraLasia intends to run a series indicating how this is being approached within the Region.  Let's begin with 'A' shall we?  But with a request to each of the provinces, vice provinces and delegations to send me (jbf) the regular provincial newsletter or communication and any other news of events to do with this as they are approaching or indeed as they are celebrated.
    AUL - Australia-Pacific Province.  In #2331 we outlined briefly how one part of this geographically widespread province is tackling the 150th. However, province wide, the following indications are available:
    - the first thing to notice is that the Provincial newsletter makes ample and effective use of wider resources available, e.g. high resolution photos dealing with the Foundation of the Congregation available from SDL.  If you interested in same, go to tinyurl.com/7n34qp (don't get your p's and q's mixed up!)
    - The Province is actually kicking off the year on 23rd January, Vigil of St Francis de Sales, with the commissioning of two young women who will go to Thailand as Cagliero missionaries in February.
    - The 31st January, naturally, sees celebrations across the province, but in particular this time in the Fiji Islands where (weather permitting - Fiji has just had 11 people drowned in the worst floods in decades) 5 novices will be professed
    - The Extraordinary Canonical Visitation takes place this year, with Fr Andy Wong representing the Rector Major, as is customary for a Regional to do. This too is an important presence of Don Bosco in a particularly significant year.
    - The Biennial 'pilgrimage to Salesian holy places' which began two years ago will take place again this year and will bring probably a group of around 30 close co-workers with the Salesians into contact with the historical and geographical roots of the charism.
    - The Strategic Plan 2009-14 will be finalised and put into action.
    - In May the biennial conference on Salesian education will take place in Melbourne. This is run by the Salesian Principals Association of Australia.
    - In May the Province will also celebrate the Salesian Youth Festival which will bring Salesians and young people together from across the province to 'rekindle the fire that was set alight int he hearts of so many people during the wonderful experience of World Youth Day'.
    - A number of local communities and works will celebrate the 150th with special moments. Glenorchy (Tasmania) will be the first of these.
    - In August, around Don Bosco's birthday, a weekend open to anyone interested in Salesian spirituality will be held in Melbourne.
There are still more events in the offing with dates yet to be proclaimed.
   
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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 http://sdl.sdb.org

Title: australasia 2332
Subject and key words: EAO Provinces AUL
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2332