austraLasia #2496

Korea's chief puppeteer hands over to the younger generation

SEOUL: 9th September 2009 --  For fifty years Fr. Jose Maria Blanco has used his friend the monkey to entertain and teach many young children in catechism class. After 50 years Fr. Blanco is now retiring as head puppeteer. At the end of a performance at least partly in his honour ( his 50 years of priesthood were recognised at the annual Provincial Day on 5th September) Fr. Blanco appointed Cleric Peter Choi, the new caretaker of his dear puppet monkey. Br. Peter was among his students in the catechism classes at our parish.
    KOR Province Day saw confreres, novices, pre-novices and aspirants coming together to show their togetherness in the Lord and Don Bosco. They gave thanks to Fr. Stefano Nam, Provincial, and confreres who were commemorating their silver and golden anniversaries: 50 years of priesthood (Fr. Jose Maria Blanco), 50 years of profession (Br. Marino Bois) and 25 years of profession (Brs. Philip Hwang, Bosco Park, Frs. Andrea Cho, Raphael Lee, Dominic Yeom).
    In order to make the celebration special, in honor of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the congregation, those in formation in the three formation houses were asked to host the whole event.
    Confreres from far away started arriving in the evening and rested at the new provincial house. In the morning the event started with a prayer service and comical (but serious!) media presentations of the work going on in each house. Each media presentation was followed by some song, skit or other live presentation from each  house.  After a good lunch there were games of soccer, basketball, badminton and ping-pong. The whole event ended with a Mass of thanksgiving.
    Other than the star performance by Fr Blanco, the morning variety show highlight was "John's Band." Fr. John Lee, Salesian, medical doctor, and musician, (termed the Korean 'Schweitzer of Africa' by the KBS, Korean Broadcasting System) is back from Africa fighting cancer while living at the formation house. He organized a band with the young confreres in formation. They are still novices at playing but a few strident cords only highlighted the strength need by Fr. John to perform this great act of service and brotherly spirit. It was a moving expression of his love for Don Bosco and all present prayed for his recovery.
    Then there was Fr. Bob Falk who at 78 years of age is still on the basketball court with the young confreres showing them a thing or two not least of which is the Salesian spirit in action on the court and off it.
"Behold, how good it is and how pleasant, where brethren dwell at one!"

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Title: australasia 2496
Subject and key words:  EAO Provinces KOR  Province Day
Date (year): 2009
ID: 2000-2099|2496