ROME: 12
January 2011 -- Just like the 'pot pourri' of some
weeks ago, this item is a mixture of news from just about
anywhere - mainly in response to various emails or even
snail mail items that come in asking for just about anything
under the sun! But also to keep people 'out in the
backblocks' of wherever a bit updated, since they cannot
always access internet and know what is happening around the
Region!
AUS FLOODS
No doubt you know that Queensland, especially coastal parts
but not only, has been inundated in recent weeks, and that
Brisbane is facing major flooding as this is being
written. There has been considerable loss of life for
a country that is usually well-equipped to handle disasters
it can foresee, and figures will rise given the number of
missing people still (as many as 50 in latest estimate but
with grave fears for 9 of these). The Brisbane river is
vital to the city's transport system but now looks like
occupying most of the city as well (rising 5.4 metres above
normal), putting paid to land-based transport in the
bygoing.
There are no Salesian Houses in Queensland, though various
Salesians have relatives there. My sisters was
'marooned' recently in Rockhampton, but quite safe as her
house was on a hill and she had enough food to last until
the water went down, and enough people around to kill the
hundreds of snakes that were forced uphill! Still, the
situation is dramatic for many ordinary home-owners and
more for the poor. Keep it prayerfully in mind.
CONGRATS TAVUR
Have been meaning to write about this for somet ime.
PNG/SI have gone up-market in internal communications now
for some months and it deserves not only a mention but
congratulations. TAVUR, which is the Delegation Newsletter,
is a four page colour item managed out of Honiara by Ambrose
Pereira with the backing of Catholic Communications
Solomons, which he has been the mainstay of now for many
years. The Newsletter is very nicely done and they have set
up a team of ten correspondents around the far-flung
Delegation to enable a monthly product. It comes in here by
snail mail so I always get it a month late, but we learn
from the pre-Christmas edition that Fr Jess is leaving
Gabutu for elsewhere (it doesn't say but that would be local
knowledge) after ten years, and that the Apostolic Nuncio
has recently blessed new computers donated to the school.
(Is there a patron saint of computers? Tell me - I need him
or is it her!). The other news is the ten year celebrations
at Don Bosco Henderson SI.
ARCHBISHOP-ELECT
SAVIO HON
Savio's appointment as number 2 at the Congregation for the
Evangelisation of People's is very hot news indeed. He will
be consecrated by the Pope on 5 February. The
'raciest' analysis of this appointment so far seems to have
come from 'Whispers in the Loggia' a favourite Catholic
Blog: here is a snippet or two from that:
"Just on its own, the unique mix of historic and
geopolitical threads is enough to make the rise of
Archbishop-elect Savio Hon Tai-Fai a significant
news-moment. The 60 year-old theologian's profession in
the Salesians of Don Bosco -- the community of
Benedict's powerful "Vice-Pope" Cardinal Tarcisio
Bertone... and, not coincidentally, no shortage of this
pontificate's other top appointees -- adds more still to
the nod's prominence, as does the longstanding custom
that most of Hon's predecessors as #2 at what's now
known (at least, officially) as the Congregation for the
Evangelization of Peoples have gone on to become
cardinals.
Now, however, word's emerged that the unprecedented move
will be capped with an even higher-octane dose of the
"papal treatment" -- one that, given the roots of the
Sino-Vatican clash (read: the ordination of bishops
without papal mandate), is conspicuously rich in irony".
So you see what I mean - racy. On a steadier note,
UCAN (actually, Whispers also quotes this) notes:
"As a Chinese priest assuming the most senior post
ever in the Roman Curia, Archbishop-elect Hon told
ucanews.com recently that he has felt “pressure every
day” since the announcement on Dec. 23.
“I’m reluctant to leave my hometown and take the Vatican
post, but I will devote every effort to follow God’s
will,” he said.
He said he would pray for “humility to put down oneself,
wisdom to discern God’s will, patience to respect the
others’ pace, joy to share with others, strength to
complete his duty, charity to treat the others well and
perseverance to seek the Church’s greatest interests.”
He admitted that his teacher and confrere Cardinal
Joseph Zen Ze-kiun’s deep insight and sense of justice
had inspired him.
“We should respect the underground Catholics who have
been loyal to their faith and understand the value of
their existence,” he said.
“It is too hasty and one-sided to ask them to join the
‘open’ Church because of problem in priestly formation
and other difficulties that they encounter.”
On guarding Church principles such as bishop ordination
without papal approval, “I am a hardliner,” he said".
HAITI- THE FUTURE
Today is the Haiti earthquake anniversary. We have just
altered the 'HELP' pic on sdb.org to something far more
positive, one year on. (Incidentally, that pic, which was
then used all around the world, was contributed by our
region, thanks to Fr Al Rodas, Cambodia, who got a Colombian
artist friend of his to draw it). Also, if you click on it
it will take you to another more hopeful pic and the
original appeal letter of the Rector Major. Under the inside
pic is a link that you can visit to go to the Salesian
Missions NR web page on Haiti. SM is the coordinating body
for the Congregation regarding Haiti. Worth looking
at. Our Region has been a significant contributor to
the Haiti Fund.
UPDATES ON DB
CASKET FIN
VICTORIA, Tarlac--At exactly 12:00 noon yesterday, 10
January, the relic pilgrimage of Don Bosco entered the
province of Tarlac.
The relic caravan was welcomed at Brgy. Masalasa, Victoria,
Tarlac by Mayor Candido Guiam and Fr. Ramon Borja with their
respective delegates. Flocked by school children, farmers,
marching band and various folks from different walks of
life, the relics of St. John Bosco became a curious sight to
a far-flung town and its townsfolk who might have never
heard of the Saint save for that day.
The location for the welcoming of the arrival of the relic
has a semblance in the humble beginning s of the father and
teacher of youth. Growing up in the outskirts of Castelnuovo
d'Asti, province of Piedmont, Italy, little Johnny was
obliged to work in their farm for them to survive the rough
everyday life brought forth by the conclusion of the French
revolution and the rise of industrialization.
Humble Beginnings
Humble as they might have been, the town of Victoria, led by
its mayor, gave a warm welcome to the simple Saint. Mayor
Guiam insisted that the convoy passes by their town for,
together with 77 other alumni, they would like to grace the
relic with a warm welcome. He assessed later that they, in
turn, were more than blessed to receive the grace and
blessing brought forth by the relic. Being a Bosconian
himself, he narrated how he was inspired by the Salesians
then to go to Italy and see Don Bosco himself. He said,
"kaso hindi ako makapunta kaya siya na mismo ang pumunta
dito para makita tayo." (I never had the chance to go and
visit him, that's why Don Bosco just came here to see us.)
Speaking of humility, the arrival of the relics at Don Bosco
Technical Institute - Tarlac highlights a couple of notable
things: the school's 64th anniversary and the Salesians' 60
years of presence in the Philippines. The humble beginning
of the school which started in an old hotel is now the
continuation of the "dream" of Don Bosco.
Live the Dream
Our father and founder has been known for building schools,
oratories, and even basilicas during his lifetime. Under the
inspiration of the theme song of the relic visit of Don
Bosco, "Live the Dream", DB-Tarlac continues its quest for
excellence in molding tomorrow's servant-leaders by
renovating the building and upgrading the equipments of the
school.
Indeed, the Bosconian alumni themselves responded to the
challenge of living Don Bosco's dream. People who wish to
help—talking about humility—chose to remain anonymous, have
been approaching the school principal, Fr. Jayson
David—an alumnus himself. One has pledged to shoulder a wing
in the new building; one batch is pledging for a
construction of a classroom; another batch promised to
sponsor a scholar; and another, will organizing a
fund-raising project. One artistic alumnus made a mosaic of
Don Bosco using tiles so the relic will have a beautiful
backdrop to match its majesty.
Answered Prayers
Within just a day here in Tarlac, the saint of the youth has
done wonders in inspiring past pupils to take part in living
Don Bosco's dream and making it their very own dream too.
Note: The author of this article is an alumnus himself; he
was "all
the more inspired" to write this article upon having a
glimpse of the
relic.
~
Ryan Gonzales
Salesian Educator, DBTI Tarlac
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