austraLasia
#1786
A 'double-whammy' today from the Indo-China
peninsula
Local bursars seminar moves to
Vietnam
HO CHI MINH CITY:
13th March 2007 -- After
successful gatherings of bursars in several other parts of Asia, including most
recently in Jakarta, Fr Mazzali, Economer General of the Congregation, has now
moved to Vietnam, where Rectors and local bursars have gathered at the
Provincial House, Thu Duc HCMC. On this occasioin Fr Mazzali has been
joined by Fr Walter Van Wouwe, a Belgian former missionary in Vietnam (but also
in ITM), and a key member of the Financial team at the Salesian HQ in
Rome.
Rectors and Provincial Councillors have also availed
themselves of the opportunity at the HCMC gathering - all 7 councillors, 20
rectors and 25 local bursars are in attendance. The seminar, which began
on 12 March, is due to finish on 14th.
Can anything good come from Nazareth? Just come
and see - but in Myanmar!
ANISAKAN: 13th March 2007 -- It has taken precisely a month for the news
to filter through from Myanmar, and the in the meantime the Rector Major, who
was due to be present for Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Salesian
aspirantate, 'Nazareth', at Anisakan in the centre of Myanmar, was unable to be
present because of visa difficulties. However, good news simple must get
out, even if it takes time!
The Rector Major wrote the
vice province a stirring letter of congratulations for the occasion, drawing on
the difficult history of Burma-Myanmar, from the war years onwards, and the
example of heroic Salesians, for his inspiration. He pointed out that
Nazareth aspirantate, founded to foster vocations, had done precisely
that. It remained open at a time when most other houses were forced to
close because of political circumstances. Finally, the Rector Major called on
the image of Don Bosco the dreamer, noting that to its 70 years of history, the
Salesian presence must now add dreaming - for the future of the nation and to
dream great things for the Church and the Congregation.
Archbishop Charles Bo sdb, himself a product of Nazareth, was obviously a major
figure at the celebrations, which took place from 13-17 February. He was
able to recall its precise history - 55 Salesian confreres, 20 diocesan priests,
8 novices this year! He added, naturally, one archbishop (himself) and one
superior of the vice province, the current superior Fr Joachim Ye
Maung.
Nazareth-Ansikan is a cool and lush place situated
conveniently between the Mandalay-Mamyo (now called Pyin Oo Lwin road and
Anisakan railway station. It is 36 miles from Mandalay and comprises 26
acres of good arable land.
Jubilee events included a
'welcome home' to past residents, a youth leadership course and past pupils
meeting, and the actual day of celebration for the jubilee on Friday 16th
February followed by a Thanksgiving Day on 17th attened by the local bishops and
Archbishop Bo.
While 'Nazareth' recalls the adolescent
Jesus, it also recalls Mary in a special way. There was a distinct Marian
touch to the entire celebrations, reflecting both the Salesian and Burmese
spirituality that has made this 'Nazareth' so
special.
_________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the
Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for
ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact mailto:admin@bosconet.aust.com. Use
BoscoWiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/RSS/rssala.xm To contact austraLasia by voice on Skype, the
Skype name is austraLasia.