austraLasia 1242

(apologies for break in service this week, but your editor was fully involved in the world meeting of Salesian Bulletin editors in Rome and there was no opportunity for anything else.)

Rector Major in PNG - to enlighten and set on fire

PORT MORESBY: 10th September 2005 --  With a phrase that has become redolent of our Rector Major as he moves amongst confreres in various parts of the world, he told gathered Salesians, Salesian Sisters, aspirants, a volunteer in the Good Night tonight in Moresby that he hopes his visit will 'enlighten them and set their minds and hearts on fire'.  He was in fact freshly arrived from his meeting with the Salesian Bulletin editors in Rome, and it's not 'telling too many tales out of school' to inform readers that his day on the 8th September consisted of catching a train into town in Rome to get to Sacro Cuore, spending some hours with SB editors, firing up their enthusiasm and offering direction based on the Salesian charism and Don Bosco's vision; he then caught the train back to the General House from where he headed to the airport just in time to catch his afternoon flight around the world to Port Moresby.  Some day!
    And all in the interests of enlightening and firing minds and hearts.  There in Moresby tonight he recalled his recent visit to Colle Don Bosco earlier this week.  His Good Night, therefore, centred on Don Bosco's beliefs and convictions:
1.                  Focus on the  youth
Taking the cue from the last film of Don Bosco, produced by RAI, he stressed that like Don Bosco, we too need to put all our energies at the service of the young who are not merely a resource for the future, but the centre of the present who need possibilities to develop and express their skills and talents.  Present now in 130 countries he emphasised the need to prepare ourselves for the mission with the young.
2.                  Focus on Education
‘Quality education is to convey good feelings that transform society’, he stated.  He highlighted that understanding culture and its constraining mentality can be changed only through education.  Preparing committed ‘Honest citizens and good Christians’ to transform society and the world is our task.
3.                  Involve as many as possible
This noble cause of focusing on the young and their education requires that resources.  Don Bosco was able to harness resources from all corners of society.  He also saw the need to network and involve people at various levels.
And he concluded: ‘Don Bosco will not die if you continue his dream...May we strive to make it happen'.

VOCABULARY
redolent: suggestive and remeniscent of, in a pleasurable sense
telling tales out of school: giving information that maybe should not be given
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