austraLasia #2822 Casket version of Don Bosco Relic moves on to Hong
Kong
- and other news
THE REGION: 17 March 2011 -- Tried bravely to
celebrate St Patrick this morning, in Rome, but the
Government has declared 'Italian Unity Day' after 150 years!
However, we managed to somehow bring them together in the
Lenten liturgical journey. The 'Unity' vigil here began with
a power blackout of several hours. Same last Sunday, so
keeping web sites and email up to date this week has had its
moments. Seems that the Rector Major arrived briefly from
Asia last night and on his way out again shortly to South
America, but as there was a blackout, we didn't get to see
him, and his supper leftovers were cold! Lent with a
vengeance.
We are seeking further news from Japan on
the Salesian side. The rest is known from non-stop
coverage. What we do know is that the Salesian Family
have geared up to help through Caritas Japan. Other
than incidents of minor damage in and around Tokyo and the
now increasingly alarming situation of radiation fallout
which might be affecting anyone within its reach, the
Salesian Family, as indicated by Fr Cipriani, has no special
needs of its own. He adds: "Have only just got back (from
Hua Hin). It is really a chaotic, terrible situation.
Everything possible is being done, though communications,
roads etc. (are in such a state that) they don't make it
easy for getting things to the areas most in need. Kerosene
is in poor supply for heating, food..... it's getting stuff
there where it's needed that is the most difficult thing.
Then regarding radiation - the government asks for calm, but
the situation doesn't look too good. We need to pray...."
He goes to indicate that while Salesians are working at
gathering necessities for others, which they are sending to
Sendai Diocese through Caritas. He indicates that if people
wish to help through them (the Salesians) they will see that
it is sent on via that channel.
JAKARTA FAREWELLS DB
The Casket will have left Jakarta today for Hong Kong.
It was really intended initially to make that journey on 12
March, but, as a local resident put it, citing yet again the
well-known line, but this time with a twist: "Don Bosco's
heart was stolen". We hope it wasn't his heart,
however! The location for Indonesia has been a single
one - the St John Bosco Parish, and people, this time, have
been the pilgrims. The Archbishop of Jakarta (Ignatius
Suhariyo), celebrated Mass in the presence of the Relic on 9
March. The Bishop of Purwokerto, who strongly desires a
Salesian presence in his diocese, came the following day.
The Bishop of faraway Surabaya, who has a Salesian school
and Parish already in his diocese, came on 11th.
The Salesians and many pilgrims, have
made the best of the unexpected 'bonus' days from 12-16
March.
Meanwhile, the coming weekend will see
major celebrations further South in the Salesian Parish in
inner-city North Brunswick, Melbourne, before the
Statue-relic moves to Sydney where it will be greeted with
much enthusiasm at the Salesian Parish of Our Lady of the
Rosary, St Mary's, western Sydney. _________________ AustraLasia
is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia
Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in
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