TAI, MANGILAO (GUAM): 24 April 2010 -- When the Salesians took
over the running of the Father Duenas Memorial School in Guam just a
year ago, it was never going to be easy. The three Filipino
Salesians appointed to the new presence, at the request of the
Archbishop of Guam, Anthony Apuron OFM were following a long tradition
but a broken tradition at the school, in that it had been variously
administered by religious and lay over the years, and the acceptance of
another religious charism could not easily be taken for granted.
Proof of the hard work but also well-thought-through
actions of the Salesian team cam just a few days ago when the Western
Association for Schools and Colleges in Guam revisited the school and
pronounced a positive verdict, which included comments such as "..never
seen a bigger change in a school in just 10 months" and "the presence
of the Salesian priests has definitely made a positive impact on all
aspects of FDMS: involvement of parents, alumni; students proud of the
brotherhood; genuine affection of teachers, strong reputation in the
Guam community". From a Salesian perspective it seems clear that early
efforts to implant the Salesian charism amongst the Chamorro culture of
Guam are bearing fruit.
The school population is 83% Catholic and is made up
of two large groups, Pacific Islanders 48% and Asians (Filipino, Korean
Japanese) 43%. The school was opened in 1949 just four years after the
war and the beheading of young Fr Duenas (he was just 30 years of age)
by the occupying forces. He was the second Chamorro priest to be
ordained and is regarded as a hero of the Chamorro people. The school's
new leadership this year organised a pilgrimage to Inarajan, the last
parish Fr Duenas served in before being killed. Students and teachers
applauded the decision of the Salesians and staff in making this
pilgrimage, the first time such had occurred in their memory. The Mass
which was the highlight of the pilgrimage was celebrated by the
Archbishop in the presence also of members of the Duenas family. _________________ AustraLasia is an
email
service
for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions
as an
agency for ANS based in
Rome.
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