austraLasia #2481

The Passion lives on - Downunder!

MELBOURNE: 17th August 2009 -- With ANS churning out a blow-by-blow description of the European 'Confronto 2009'  (and God bless them, that's what they're there for! Well done guys!) one could be led to believe that Europe is where all the passion is.  Not so of course. Passion, Don Bosco style, confounds most attempts to limit it, so no surprise that from 15th to17th August the Australia-Pacific Province ran a very successful seminar of its own, fundamentally on the same kinds of topics and issues.
    'Don Bosco's Intuition - 150 years and the Passion lives on', held at the Salesian Retreat Centre, Lysterfield, Melbourne, drew 60 commited, active participants from all walks of Salesian life and activity: a Salesian Bishop (Tim Costelloe), of course a Provincial and Vice Provincial - two Provincials in fact since Sr Margaret Bentley FMA was a key contributor, Salesians, Cooperators - but particularly young leaders, from Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, New South wales. The leaders came from school (college) settings as well as from the 'Dromana community', a vibrant leadership programme run by Salesian lay folk.
    "The mix of age level and experience created a great dynamic and valuable exchange of experience and perceptions", the vice provincial, Fr John Papworth commented, following the event.  He too was a significant contributor.  The entire event was planned and managed by the Provincial Animation Team (PAT).
    The testimonies of lay people working within the Salesian spirit were especially valuable.  'Home grown' in the Australian character of their praxis, but sharing all the authenticity of Don Bosco's and Mary Mazzarello's original intuitions and practice, Jenny Myers (South Australia) and Isaac Schmidt (Melbourne) spoke of their Salesian involvement and contribution in parish and youth leadership settings respectively.  These presentations led to group dialogue and discussion of ways to implement Salesian spirituality in the variety of contexts found in the SDB and FMA provinces represented.
    The Seminar had been given a solid theological and biblical basis with the opening Mass celebrated by Bishop Tim - he spoke of Don Bosco's charism - his life, vision and mission, not overlooking the crucial link with Mary, whose Assumption was celebrated that day.  In the overall picture of Salesian spirituality, Fr Chris Ford also explored the relationship with St Francis de Sales and his spirituality's infleunce on Don Bosco's ideas for formation of the young.
    The Salesian Spirituality Seminar is just one of a series of events in the Province, some already in the past, others yet to come, celebrating the foundation of the Salesian Congregation 150 years ago. The Australia-Pacific Province has also highlighted the centrality of its youth ministry thrust by appointing Salesian Fr Bernie Graham as full time YM Delegate.

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Title: australasia 2481
Subject and key words: EAO Provinces AUL Salesian Spirituality
Date (year): 2009
ID: 2000-2099|2481