4521(I)_ The Joy of Serving the large provincial community

Korea 11th Provincial Leadership team sharing

October 16, 2017

By Mr. Ivo Choi, ASC
ASC Provincial Coordinator KOR

Seoul, Korea, 13 October 2017 -- Last Saturday, October 13, was a special time for our newly established Provincial council (2017-2020). We met with the SDB Extraordinary visitor, Fr. Klement in the ASC Provincial office at Shin Gil Dong, Seoul. During one hour long encounter we exchanged our joys and concern about the growth of the Salesian Cooperators in Korea.

Among our renewed Council members are only two 'old timers' and the newly elected councilors are full of energy and zeal to contribute to the animation and governance of the large province - 750 members and aspirants - in Korea.

How to rejuvenate our ASC membership?

We have started to try with children of the Salesian cooperator families. They are mixed with the SYM, or VIDES. One model 'Salesis' Center is growing up in Seoul. But we are asking how can the Cooperators be more directly involved in the Salesian Youth Movement or VIDES activities. Then we try also to take part in the Mobile Oratory (FMA, VIDES participation) animators. In this way the young adults would naturaly become family members, when one brings in his girl friend. We recognize there is not yet any specific apostolate of the Salesian Cooperators for the young adults. One of the possible opportunities would be the work with the University students, who have no connection to the Salesian Family.

How to imporove our communication?

We recognize strong need of a new ASC provincial website need. Present (old) website http://www.cooperator.co.kr does not fit the new smartphone - SNS digital environment. We need to be more present in the Internet, but who will make it? Recently we start to publish monthly digital newsletter inspired by the Cagliero11 (two pages edition) apart of the semestral edition of the Provincial newsletter magazine (34 pages A4). At present we are looking for a new webmaster and some ASC volunteers in this digital communication field.

What is the joy and happiness of ASC provincial councilors?

After becoming a member of the provincial council:

• I feel more love and concern about our Salesian cooperators concern, identity growth through this


• After my previous experience of our local center I realized in the provincial field: wider vision and horizon and more concern how can we connect with others or help the connection among the centers.


• Before in my local center I was just like a Sunday Catholic. Now I'm learning the responsibility for different programs. As provincial council member I would like to contribute and have more responsibility for our vocation growth.


• Now i'm learning more about the Salesian spirituality (retreats, formation) being involved in the formation of other members (Formation school).


• Now i'm involved in step by step preparation of many process on the provincial level. And the final product becomes a great treasure, fruit of our Association. This journey make me happy, joyful and is a source of my satisfaction. And also with sharing and communicating Don Bosco to many other people my desire is growing!


• After joining the provincial council I'm observing open heart and cooperation of many brothers and sisters.


• At the local level i was concerned about personal vocation life and identity. Now serving at the Province level i'm concerned about how the same Salesians could live together with more solidarity, growing in cooperation and growth together. I'm asking myself: How can we build the large provincial community with the Salesian spirituality? And also 'How to live our spirituality of Joy in our daily life?'


• Now I feel ‘strength’ of this provincial office crowded with 11 council members and it brings a deeper feeling of satisfaction. [ASC provincial office is located on the 3rd floor of the SDB Provincial house]

Some challenge of Korea ASC provincial growth?

The visitor appreciated systematic growth and animation work of the provincial council over the past 20 years. EAO regional councilor observed some challenges encountered in the local Center visit during past two months: Local organization of majority of the Centers is done in smaller units (Team), care about the 'resting', 'living far from the home center' or senior members and discernment about the apostolic activity fitting for senior members.

At present the KOR province of Salesian Cooperators is composed of 25 (+3) local centers. Some of them are again organized in smaller 'teams', each with one SDB or FMA delegates. Among the 600+ promised members are about 150 long term 'non active members' and 50 short term non active members. The Aspirants (3 year course period, sustained also by the 'Formation school' organized at province level) are about 150.