austraLasia #2883 A tiny tale with a big response!
ROME: 8 July 2011 -- It may well surprise readers,
but not an austraLasia
goes by without some response somewhere around the wide
readership - yesterday's simple tale of Peter To Rot has
brought the following:
From a Japanese Salesian: "I read the article about Peter
To Rot. It was sad and brutal history during the war when
Japanese invaded such a peaceful island. I don’t know how
atone for this as a one of Japanese. I would like to say
“sorry” thousand times to all people and I praise Peter To
Rot because he was brave and real witness of Jesus".
From an Indian Salesian: "thanks for the info. Would have
never known about Peter To Rot. I've worked with village
catechists and have seen the likes of PTR among a few of
them... His story needed a voice.
Thanks".
From a PNG-based Salesian: "just some tidbits about Peter
ToRot. Until last year, his great grandson was a student
in Vunabosco. In fact, the young man was the tour guide of
the FMA Sisters when they visited East New Britain last
year. Last week, AB Panfilo informed us that today begins
a year-long celebration in preparation for the centenary
of Bl. Peter ToRot's birth (1912). Next year's celebration
will definitely be "big time"."
-------
And now another small tale (not about a martyr, this one,
but the first from Thailand for a while, so thanks to a
faithful correspondent!)
"On Saturday 2nd July 2011, there was an important event for
the THA Province. It was the 25th Anniversary of Priestly
Ordination of Fr. Michael Adulkasem sdb.
Fr. Michael Adulkasem (His Thai name is
also "Michael") or Fr Mick, is now the parish priest at St.
Anne Catholic Church, Koh Samui, Suratthani Diocese. He is
the only Salesian in this important and famous island of
Thailand. I believe that you have heard about this island.
On the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of his Priesthood,
he has translated 3 books: the first one is for Priests, the
second is for Religious both men and women, and the third is
for Catholics generally. More than 20 priests, all of them
Salesians, except for one Camillian, joined the Eucharistic
Celebration. You can see the atmosphere of the 25th
Anniversary in the
video.
ps: I forgot to tell you that the motto of Fr Mick is "Do
this in memory of me". It is written under the cross in the
church of St. Joseph. At the end of the Mass, he told a
story. The story goes somewhat like this: A man came to
Jesus asking him what to do. Jesus told him to push a big
stone. While he was pushing the stone, the other man laughed
at him and told him to give up because he could not move it.
He then went to Jesus and complained to him: "Why did you
tell me to push the stone? Don't you know it won't move?"
Jesus told him that he did not want the stone to be moved,
but he wanted his perseverance only. Fr. Mick concluded that
he is now still pushing the stone in his life. Therefore, he
must persevere in his life as a priest until the day they
carry him to this church again at the end of his life. Is it
a good thought?"
(Yes, Father, an excellent thought! Thank you!) _________________ AustraLasia
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