austraLasia
#1774
Fourth Annual Salesian
Family Spirituality Seminar, Tokyo
TOKYO: 28th February 2007 -- The annual
Salesian Family Spirituality Seminar in Japan is run by a different group of the
SF each year. This year it was the SDB turn. The event was held at
the Salesian Intercultural and Technological Centre (SITEC) in Sughinami, Tokyo
on 16-17 February.
The talks wsere given by different
members of the Family. Sr Letizia Yuko Ohno, novice mistress for the second of
two Caritas Sisters' novitiates, spoke on the theme of 'Self-realization in
consecrated life and the issue of human maturity'. Sr Ohno has completed
four years of studies in Clinical Psychology, specialising in vocation and
formation at the Gregorian University, Rome. She directed her address to
the importance of knowing the relationship between developmental stages of human
maturity. The talk gave rise to a number of interactions with
participants.
A lay woman, Miss Utako Tsubaki, who has
recently completed her Master's thesis on French literature at Sophia
University, Tokyo, spoke on 'The spiritualities of St. Francis de Sale, St
Jeanne de Chantal and St. Vincent de Paul'. She explained the connections
that might be made between the spiritual giants of 17th century Europe and St.
John Bosco. Miss Tsubaki is due to continue her doctoral studies on the
literature of the Saints of 17th Century europe.
Sr Naomi
Tanaka, lecturer at the Salesian Sisters' Seibi College, spoke on 'The Christian
understanding of children according to St John Bosco and Souzo Kurahashi'. This
latter, often termed the Japanese Friedrich Froebel, was a Japanese
educationalist of the 20th century. Sr Tanaka explained some of the
similarities she sees in the two approaches and encouraged participants to
discover the richness in the preventive system through the inspirations of both
great educators.
A panel discussion took place between
Salesians SDB who were present at the Thai-based Salesian Spirituality Seminar
last January in Bangkok. Using a Powerpoint Presentation translated by Frs
Bob Zarate and Shin Mishima, Fr Hiroki Amemiya commented on the material and
insights from the seminar.
The Tokyo seminar was repeated
in Beppu, Ohita, for the Salesian Family in the Kyushu area, together with a
Salesian Family gathering in the presence of Fr Orlando Puppo, provincial of
Japan province.
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