austraLasia #2541
 
Mission animation men and women: EAO fans the flame

MANILA (Tuloy sa Don Bosco): 18th November 2009 -- An important milestone in EAO has been established over the the four days from 15-18 November: Province Mission Animation Delegates involving both SDB and FMA presences throughout the Region have met at Tuloy sa Don Bosco, the FIN 'centrepiece' activity for Street Children.  In fact this is the first international meeting held at such a location, and, as Fr Klement noted in one dispatch, it has become a real Valdocco moment for participants and the kids themselves. The 'Tuloy' interaction has been a real bonus for all concerned.
    All provinces and circumscriptions in the region were represented, if one allows Fr Albert Maravilla to wear two hats!  He is present as one of the Mission department animators of the event, but in another sense also represents PNG/SI. Altogether 20 SDBs and 7 FMAs took part.
    The expressed aim of the event has been to fan the flame of mission animation in the provinces in the region, and to give that animation improved quality.  All provinces in the region now have a Mission Delegate, though far fewer actually have a mission animation plan in place.
    Day one involved intense sessions of sharing, taking as inspiration the 'Telling the story of Jesus' motif that came out of the Asian Mission Congress held in Thailand several years back.  The second day involved an understanding and examination of the Mission Animation Handbook, while Day three offered 'best practice' examples from the Region, from such provinces as VIE, GIA and FIS.
    The choice of Tuloy sa Don Bosco was more than just a backdrop to the event; it gave particular urgency to missionary activity in the context of the Salesian core mission to poor and neglected young people.  FIN Provincial Fr Eli Cruz celebrated Mass with the group, a choir of some 80 boys and girls provided the music, and on one evening, participants spread out amongst the six 'houses' that make up Tuloy to give the Good Night.  As Fr Klement says in a personal note, "the storytelling that has been involved here is really about our deepest identity".  It can only augur well for the Region's deep identity as well.

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Title: australasia 2541
Subject and key words: EAO General: Mission Animation Delegates
Date (year): 2009
ID: 2000-2099|2541