austraLasia #764
AUSTRALIA: JOYFUL GATHERING FOR FOUR FINAL
PROFESSIONS
MELBOURNE: 1st December -- On Saturday, November
29, in a wonderful ceremony attended by Salesians, members of the Salesian
family and a whole array of family and friends, four young Salesians of the
Australian Province of Mary Help of Christians pronounced their final vows. The
four young men, Will Matthews, Brian Ahern, Sefo Mulipola, Mika Luamanuvae, have
travelled a long journey in more ways than one. Will originally joined the
Salesian novitiate in Burma, and when his family migrated to Australia, he came
with them and, on arrival, sought out the Salesians and began a second
novitiate. Sefo and Mika are both from Samoa, and have done most of their
formation in Australia. Brian is a local Melbourne man, who attended St
Joseph's College, a secondary school under the direction of the Salesians in
suburban Ferntree Gully.
The ceremony, held on a very hot afternoon in
the Ferntree Gully Parish Church close to St Joseph's College, was marked
by lively singing, a large congregation, some beautiful elements from the
Samoan liturgical tradition, and a great spirit of joy and enthusiasm. The same
joy was evident in the parish hall after the Mass, where everyone gathered for a
feast where everything from Samoan taro to Indian curry puffs to good old Aussie
pies was on offer. The commitment of the young men, the joy and beauty of the
liturgy, and the enthusiasm of everyone present made it a great day for the Salesians and their many friends. We are hoping
now that many young people present at the Profession might be inspired to listen
for God's call and respond to it with the same courage and
enthusiasm.
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'austraLasia' is an email service for the Salesian
Family of Asia-Pacific
