austraLasia #2861 "Credible centres of learning for Christians and
Muslims..."
LAHORE: 26 May 2011 -- "We concluded, last
Sunday, a short gathering of all the confreres now working
in Pakistan. 10 Salesians from the 2 communities now present
here (Quetta and Lahore) came together to share, evaluate
and plan about Don Bosco’s mission in this place currently
being tested by tides of challenges and changes. It was also
an opportunity for the confreres to relax a bit and enjoy
each other’s company which distance, uncertain conditions
and various responsibilities often make them impossible to
achieve.
The meeting started on May 20 and ended
on the 22nd. It was made even more special by the presence
of Fr. Andrew Wong, General Councilor for EAO region and Fr.
George Militante, Provincial of the Philippine-South
Province (FIS) to which the mission in Pakistan is attached,
who both actively participated in the assemblies and took
time to individually talk to the confreres.
Among the important issues discussed were
the current state of the works in the two presences and the
effort to create more possibilities for sharing of resources
and closer collaboration between them; the quality of life
and religious discipline of the confreres; and the urgent
tasks of evangelisation, vocation promotion and formation of
our young Salesians.
It is important to share here as well
that of the 10 Salesians now working in Pakistan, 4 are
local confreres now in their practical training. And there
are also other young Pakistani men and women seriously
discerning about their vocation to the Salesian life. We are
also awaiting the arrival of 2 new missionaries from Viet
Nam and the Philippines.
Don Bosco’s mission, which started 13
years ago, has now developed into credible centres of
learning for both young Christians and Muslims. Our hostels,
with around 220 Christian boys and girls (i.e. 150 boys in
Lahore and 50 boys and 20 girls in Quetta) are also special
places that particularly challenge us to strengthen and
systematize our work for evangelisation and education to the
faith. There’s truly much to be done here in Pakistan and in
spite of the many difficulties we face every day, there are
also glimmers of hope bursting forth every now and then that
assure us that we are not alone—that indeed, “He is with us
always.”
Hopefully then this bit of news will help
you remember us in your prayers, that safe from all harm, we
may remain faithful _________________
AustraLasia
is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia
Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in
Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com
. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click
on austraLasia 2011 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS
orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from
there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle.
Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
