1207 Salesian Sisters 'investigating the possibilities' in Melanesia
austraLasia 1207

Salesian Sisters 'investigating the possibilities' in Melanesia

SUVA: 22 July 2005 --  The Provincial and Vice Provincial/Bursar of the Salesian Sisters' South Pacific Region, Sisters Edna Mary MacDonald and Margaret Bentley respectively, have taken a close look at two locations in Melanesia - the Solomon Islands and Fiji - with a view to investigating the possibilities of setting up communities there as part of the region.
    The Sisters are already well established in Polynesia, in Samoa and American Samoa and, of course in Australia, where the province centre is to be found.
    During the visit to Solomon Islands, the two Sisters were guests of the Salesian community at Henderson, opposite the airport.  The SDB presence at Henderson at at nearby Tetere Parish, as well as the contribution made to communications in the Archdiocese is a measure of the development that has taken place in recent years, and the Sisters could see for themselves that "there is no doubt the Salesians are working for the mot needy, and there is plenty of work for the Sisters should we decide to go".  They have had the opportunity to speak with Church and educational authorities and have received a warm welcome from the people.
    Fiji too, already with an SDB formation community in place, offers substantial opportunities.  It is an attractive opportunity for formation given that Suva is the South Pacific formation centre in general terms, both secular and religious, so has the infrastructure for Catholic Teacher Training, University Studies and Ongoing Formation both secular and religious.  But the islands making up this archipelago are teeming with needy young people as well.
    In the end, it is clear that there is a will, on the part of the Sisters, to bolster and extend the Salesian charism in the South Pacific.  That is good news.  And if  'The Way', the Lord, continues to bless the area with solid and well-formed vocations, that will be even better news!
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