austraLasia #2521

Former Ambassador to Holy See appeals for social doctrine teaching in Salesian schools
 
SEOUL: 11 October 2009 -- Attended by over 300 participants the Eleventh Annual Salesian Family Spirituality Day took place on September 26 at the provincial house in Seoul, Korea.  Of special significance was a symposium organized for the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Salesian Society.  The theme of the symposium was “The Role of Salesian Spirituality in the Reality of Korean Society and the Church Today.’
    There were three lectures and discussions followed each lecture. The aspirants and postulants of the Caritas Sisters of Myazaki started off the celebration with a liturgical ceremony and dance entitled, “God, Spirit, Call and Following”. Fr. Jae-Jun Jeong then presented the first lecture entitled “The Value of Salesian Spirituality in the Korean Church.” After giving a short explanation of what Salesian Spirituality is he continued with an easy to understand explanation of the background and contents of Salesian Spirituality and ended with an appeal to diffuse the concept of “Educating by Evangelizing and Evangelizing by Educating.”
    The second lecture, entitled “The Socio-Political Dimensions of the Preventive System of Don Bosco,” was presented by Professor Bosco Seong, former Korean ambassador to the Holy See. He presented it under the format of the “Yellow Umbrella” of the 2007 Strenna and the 2008 Strenna of the Rector Major. Using a line of the opening liturgical ceremony “Go out into the deep, lift up your eyes to the heavens,” Ambassador Seong noted that this is what God is asking of the Salesians of today. He especially emphasized the importance of “social doctrine” in the light of the new-liberalism that puts itself above ideology. He appealed to all present to attend to the teaching of social doctrine in our middle and high schools.
    Mr. Dong-Sul Meng, Salesian Cooperator and vice-principal of a local high school, gave the third lecture. It was entitled, “Reality and Alternative in Korean Education In The Light of Salesian Spirituality.”  After a power point picture presentation of the reality of Korean education and the problems it faces he asked that the Salesians consider opening an ‘alternative school’ for young people who cannot adapt to a regular school curriculum. The afternoon started with a short presentation by the “Bosconians”, a group of young people. It was followed by a panel discussion presented by four Salesian family members: one Salesian, a Salesian Sister, a Caritas Sister and a Cooperator.                  The panel discussion produced much heat which brought us into overtime. It can only be hoped that in the near future the Salesian family can sort out the proposals presented and come up with something concrete for Korea.   After the panel discussion we had the final liturgy at which Fr. Stephen Nam, provincial, presided.  He gave a short homily using a phrase of Kierkegaard, “To praise and worship God is important but it is more important to follow Him.” Don Bosco knew the Lord and followed Him. We too inspired by Don Bosco’s example, should take to heart what was exposed in the symposium and put it into practice in our individual lives and in our communities.
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Title: australasia 2521
Subject and key words: EAO Provinces KOR Salesian Family Day
Date (year): 2009
ID: 2000-2099|2521