austraLasia #2485

Thai province celebrates root, tree and branch!

BANPONG: 24th August 2009 -- No stranger to large Salesian celebrations, Banpong rather than Bangkok became the central stage for the Thai Province major celebration of 150 years of the Salesian Congregation on 22nd August 2009.  There are many Salesian Family groups in Thailand, and they all came together to celebrate the origins and also the growth, bringing the seed-to-tree-to-forest symbolism of this year's Strenna to a certain fulfilment, at least in local terms.
    Older youth and even the smaller ones featured strongly in the celebrations. Prior to the celebration of Mass the youth of St Joseph's Parish presented a role play on Salesian beginnings, with lots of 'little SDB, FMAs, SIHMs, DQMs' as our correspondent puts it, since the children had all dressed up like Don Bosco or the various Sister Congregations in the Salesian Family!  This performance was prepared under the leadership of Fr Augustine Yarat Chaiyara. The Mass itself was greatly enhanced by a choir conducted by Fr Anthony Boonlert Paneetatthayasai, comprising some 200 young people from across the range of Salesian Family membership - which involves Salesians, Salesian Sisters, Cooperators, Volunteers of Don Bosco, Mary Help of Christians Association (ADMA), Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters (SIHM) and the Daughters of the Queenship of Mary (DQM).  Of course, 22nd August is an important day for this latter group.
    The Archbishop of Bangkok, Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovitvanit was main guest, along with Bishop Joseph Prathan Sridarunsil SDB of Suratthani diocese.  Bishop Prathan, in fact, presided at the Mass, with the Archbishop on this occasion, a happy concelebrant.
    For the occasion, the THA Province published a book on the origins of the Salesian Congregation, written by Fr. Joseph Banchong Santisukniran, and also an album of new songs on Don Bosco published by Fr. Joseph Manachai Tharacha

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Title: australasia 2485
Subject and key words: EAO Provinces THA 150
Date (year): 2009
ID: 2000-2099|2485