4378_Harvesting the fruits of the Salesian Pentecost in Tokyo

EAO Regional Congress: Follow up

May 10, 2017

By Our Own Correspondent

Tokyo, Japan, 10 May 2017 -- The fourth and last day of the 9th EAO Regional Congress of the Salesian Cooperators is over. All 300+ participants, young and old are heading back to their homes in Japan or in other 14 countries. Yes, it was a very special event in the history of the Association in East Asia - Oceania region. For the first time the massive presence of many young adults was a witness to the transforming face of the 'Cooperators of God' in the spirit of Don Bosco (PAL, art. 14).

The presence of five EAO SDB provincials (FIN, FIS, GIA, MYM and VIE) and one Delegate (VIE-Mongolia) was another strong sign of closer accompaniment and care about the future of the Salesian Cooperators.

Final day was started with a Good Morning Talk shared by Sr. Lesley Sandigo, FMA (World Delegate to the ASC) about the Art of Accompaniment. Followed the presentation of Provincial Action Plan (2017-2019) by each province participants and personal sharing some young adults (not yet Salesian Cooperators) who participated in the parallel event of the Congress. During this sharing time the World Council members together with the SDB Provincials and ASC Provincial Coordinators held an evaluation and working meeting looking for the effective fruits of the Congress.

"I'm happy! The second regional congress [NB among the 11 regions] was concluded in Tokyo really in a successful way! Thanks to the Lord and also thanks to all who did committed themselves with loving kindness and competency to make all this happen. Thanks to 320 participants, attentive, committed and motivated! Four days will bring many fruits for our Association in the East Asia - Oceania Region." World Coordinator, Mrs. Noemi Bertola expressed on her Facebook.

During the final Eucharist, presided by the EAO Regional Councilor, the FIN provincial Fr. Paul Bicomong pondered on the Pentecost-like event of the EAO Congress: giving thanks for the Family spirit, Joy and strong inspiration due to the presence of many young people.

Mr. Philip Yu, the ASC World Councilor for the EAO Region shared with the whole Assembly the CONCLUSIONS - EAO ACTION PLAN for the 2017-2020 period:

1. FORMATION: Translate (!) and study the PAL (Project of Apostolic Life) and the Guidelines for Formation (Green book) in order to own it. Hence to RETHINK the FORMATION is the first priority for next 3 years. Each Center and province are called to look in to their formation practice, methodology and model. EAO formation workshop is being considered.


2. FOR THE YOUNG: It was the theme of this EAO Congress. Each province is being asked: What can we do? For whom do we work? (discernment about the destinataries) and How can we do? ( invitation for provincial solidarity, to work together in the youth mission. The Cooperators are called to strengthen their relationship with the Salesian Youth Ministry


3. ASC WORLD CONGRESS IN ROME (October 2018): each province is called to send one Delegate (SDB or FMA) and two Cooperators (Coordinator and possibly also Formation Councilor).


4. NEXT EAO REGIONAL CONGRESS: VIE province has shown the intent to host, however due to different challenges the final decision will be done in near future.

All EAO 2017 Tokyo Congress are available on the Bosco Link website