Banpong, Thailand, 20 February 2021 -- On 18 February 2021, the Salesian Province of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos celebrated the Provincial Community Day at Don Bosco Technological College, Banpong, Ratchaburi Province. Fr. John Bosco Dheparat Pitisant, the Provincial, presided at the community service joined by some 100 confreres and young aspirants and postulants. The theme of the Province Day 2021 was “Like a little Don Bosco” (100th anniversary of Fr. Paul Albera's death).

The celebration began with the Eucharistic celebration presided by Fr John Bosco Dheparat Pitisant SDB, Provincial. At one point in his homily, he shared that "...In this period of Lent, we are invited to make a 'choice': to hold on to God who gives 'life'. We should avoid the wiles of Satan which brings 'death'. Don Bosco was also faced to make a 'choice': whether to minister to the well-to-do young people, have a secure life, OR to take care of the youth roaming around the streets, with no real future, many detained in prison. He made the choice to 'spend his life for the least and the abandoned'. This is the legacy we have received from our father. And like Don Paul Albera, known as 'little Don Bosco', we are invited to make this choice to be 'little Don Bosco' ourselves.

The celebration was a sign of the unity of the confreres and an occasion to show their gratitude to the superior - the image of Don Bosco among them. After the offering of the Holy Mass, there were some expressions of joy and festivities on the stage by the younger members. Each community showed their solidarity by means of the offerings they handed to the Provincial Superior. In the afternoon, some sports competitions were organized in a family atmosphere.

We would like to thank Fr. Anthony Restelli, Rector of the School, staff and students of the School for their hospitality and welcome. May the Spirit of Salesian joy encourage us to be one in Don Bosco.