NAERI: 16 May 2014 -- From May
12 to 13 at the Salesian retreat centre located in Naeri, the
middle part of the peninsula at the sea side there was a
seminar for perpetually professed confreres of Korea Province.
As the first event held after installing the new provincial,
Fr Stephan Yang, on April 26 it gained much interest from the
confreres, 73 out of 80 perpetually professed Salesians
resident in the country took part; the 7 who were missing
included 3 confreres who were essential for the works and 4
deacons who had to attend the class at the seminary.
The seminar began late afternoon on the 12th with a prayer
prepared by the Sinandong community, the postnovitiate in
Kwangju, which was then followed by reports on activities of
the provincial teams. First, Fr Marcelo Baek on the
Preparatory commission for the 200th anniversary of Don
Bosco's birth. He reported on the Fr Lenti's 7 volumes as
published (in Korean) and on a conference on Don Bosco's
spirituality to take place at the provincial house in the
coming week. Also he mentioned plans 2015, among them a
symposium on Don Bosco's spirituality and a youth festival
prepared the Youth Ministry and Spirituality Institute which
he heads. Fr Baek also gave attention to a planned scholarship
fund for poor students to be launched next year.
The report by Bro Hilario Seo from the Social Communications'
team followed. He presented various activities in the field,
especially offering guidelines for Social Networking Services
(SNS) activity by Salesians. These guidelines have been put
together and elaborated from different experiences in social
networking services and the positive and negative aspects of
these for consecrated individuals. He offered hints on areas
people need to be careful with or at least keep in mind. He
suggested one idea as a practice for the exercise for the
monthly recollection in the digital era: a confrere could give
the possibility to someone in authority to access his personal
accounts in SNS activity, should he meet with accident or
death.
In the evening there was a time to present the GC27 - a one
month later viewpoint by Fr Stephen Nam, former provincial. He
presented some details on the process, illustrated with
Presentation software. He dwelt in particular on the more
interesting points such as the election of the Rector Major
and his Councillors and GC27 deliberations. Also he explained
to confreres how they could approach the conclusions of the
GC27, using its key words: mystic (spirituality), prophet
(fraternal life), servant (youth ministry) and work and
temperance. He insisted that we have to realise these concepts
in our daily life, in the light of the Pope Francis' teaching
which invites us to go out to the peripheries.
The first day of the seminar schedule concluded with fraternal
sharing - a glass of beer, cheers for Bro Peter No who
celebrates his golden jubilee this year and for four confreres
who celebrate the 25 anniversary of their first profession.
On the second day Fr Marcelo began proceedings once more but
this time wearing his 'vice provincial' hat. He spoke about
the Fr John Lee Committee, reporting diligently on a number of
activities. He explained the principles of the Church and
Congregation on matters concerning confreres who are deceased
and who have begun to attract the admiration of the people for
their life and activity, then presented some plans on the
issue entrusted to the Committee by the last provincial
chapter.
Fr Michael Chang, provincial economer and head of the mission
office, explained the mission office's work. It has just two
years of history. He highlighted the practice of linking the
mission territories with potential resources from amongst
people who admire Don Bosco's spirit. Nor did he hide his
desire to find new benefactors to support missionary work,
starting from the basis of visibility and credibility that we
Salesians have in Korean society.
This was followed by free discussion on hot issues in the
Province, and a question-answer time. Various opinions were
expressed, alternative solutions and claims. It was seen as an
opportunity to achieve common awareness that will be most
important for bringing about unity through effective
communications and expanded empathy among the confreres. The
new provincial confirmed that he intends to follow up
patiently, and in a spirit of faith, various outstanding
problems through proper discussion and discernment, and
listening much to confreres.
The Seminar concluded with the Mass for St Mary Mazzarello's
Feast, celebrated by the provincial. In his homily he
suggested total commitment to Don Bosco's mission to youth,
imitating Mary Mazzarello's dedication to young people in need
and her capacity for following Don Bosco's guidance.
