Salesian Family in Vietnam
opens
retreat centre and celebrates 'Family
Day'
HO CHI MINH CITY: 13th February 2010 -- The Province of Vietnam
has been blessed with a new Retreat Centre at Khanh Than Klong (K'long,
Duc Trong) which was partially inaugurated on 8th February. It was
really
an effort from the whole Salesian Family in Vietnam to put into effect
a
decision taken by the SDB Provincial Chapter 2007.
The project was followed up with prayers and
generous
donations from different people: parents of the confreres, alumni,
parishioners, friends of Don Bosco, etc. Many months were spent in
paperwork which is not so easy in a socialist country like Vietnam.
Then,
the design was changed accordingly as well as financial difficulties
during the worldwide economical crisis.
Yet, as the whole Salesian Family is celebrating the
holy year in honor of Blessed Michael Rua, the province finally can
offer
this centre as a part of its mission to serve the Salesian Family
members
and the young in a more spiritual and profound way.
On 9th February, instead, in preparation for the Lunar New Year,
a
Salesian Family Day was held in the theologate compound of the
Vietnamese
Province. For many years now, this day has become a traditional one
where
many members of the Salesian Family gather together once a year.
Salesian
teachers and pupils of various generations, classmates, the FMA’s, the
VDB’s had an opportunity to be re-united to celebrate the joy of being
together, share their stories of services to poor youth in the country
as
well as offer best wishes for the New Year.
More than 600 gathered for the event. This year, the
Salesian Cooperators were in charge of the program. A key speech was
delivered by the Provincial, followed by a video clip to highlight
important points of the Strenna 2010. Then, one by one, stories of each
group of the Salesian Family were told to the whole audience to witness
the growth and expansion of the Salesian mission and services.
The Provincial also used this blessed moment to
inform
the whole audience of some recent good news. A Vietnamese missionary,
Fr.
Andrew Tin was recently appointed by the Rector Major to be the
superior
of the new Delegation of Mongolia (which is affiliated with the Vietnam
province). Fr. Andrew was making a home visit to celebrate the New Year
with his parents and was present for the moment. He had a chance to
share
some edifying stories of his mission in Mongolia. Some missionaries
from
Papua New Guinea, Solomon Island, Peru were also present for the
gathering. Their presences showed the growth and vitality of the SDB
Province which is sending more and more missionaries.
The Salesian Family Day reached its peak with the
Eucharistic Celebration and the Shared Meal enjoyed by every one. Every
participant felt a sense of belonging to a great Family with great
people
and great saints. They will enter the New Lunar Year with a more
committed engagement to put into practice the Strenna given by the
Rector
Major.
_________________
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