CAMBODIA - MARCH 2019
Reflection on the Pope Francis’ Meeting on the issue of Protection of Minors Dear friends, You all know that some days ago Pope Francis met with all the Presidents of the Episcopal Conferences in the Catholic Church, and representatives of Religious Congregations and families to deal with the issue of the "protection of minors". The matter touches closely on our vocation and mission: we are evangelizers and educators of children, young people. Everything that affects them positively or negatively is of interest to us and is part of our communication. It is not something we can be indifferent about. Whatever happens to them to announce in a true and professional way, or we denounce it with ethical and gospel clarity. I would like to offer an interpretation of this from the perspective of communication. The topic offers me an opportunity to indicate certain essential elements for Salesian communication in the provinces: Because we are evangelizers and educators, because our mission is to be signs and bearers of the love of God for young people (C, 2), our communication builds up and protects the lives of minors.
Bosco Flash CAMBODIA - Strenna 2019: #Holiness for you, too! - March 2019
In the first place, the most important communication of the Salesians is “to lead a life worthy of the vocation to which you have been called” (Eph 4:1), to live as an authentic consecrated individual. In fact the human being is a communicator, like it or not, want it or not. We understand from this principle that it is the life of the Salesian and his community which is the first message, the real message. We Salesians, like Don Bosco, are communicators through our life, not just people who carry out communication activities or just people who use communications media. The second aspect was pointed out by the Lord Jesus in his Gospel: "If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones … “ (Mt 18:6 ). The world, the Church and the Congregation are made up of weak individuals who can do wrong. However, there are misdeeds that destroy lives whose sense of meaning and joy cannot be recovered and these misdeeds are both sinful and criminal. In these cases the Salesian institution needs to have a spokesperson who can deal adequately with the media. It is not enough to repent and ask forgiveness. Society has changed rapidly and has set up structures and functions which we as consecrated people must take up and respect. A spokesperson is not an option in a Province but a necessity. A third element, that through lack of appropriate formation has got both individuals and the institution into problems, is an understanding and use of the world wide web, “the Net”. Of the eight points that Pope Francis presented at the end of the meeting on “protection of minors”, the seventh is dedicated to the digital world: “The protection of minors must take into account the new forms of sexual abuse and abuse of all kinds that threaten minors in the settings in which they live and through the new devices that they use. Seminarians, priests, men and women religious, pastoral agents, indeed everyone, must be aware that the digital world and the use of its devices often has a deeper effect than we may think.” You know the success and failures in this field in which there is a need to be formed: Salesians, collaborators, parents, young people (Cf. AGC 423). A fourth point: the importance and quality of communication in a province is a question of governance. Every Province is a large institution with a specific mission, and in the world of the internet and new technologies it goes beyond the limitations of the Rector, a religious community or a work. Today, everything is interconnected. Hence communication in a province needs to be planned and coordinated , from the Provincial and his Council, down to all the works, presences and services of the Province. We cannot be less than other businesses and brands; we are providers of evangelising, educational and social services of great importance. We need to be at the height of professional and competitive competence.
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Bosco Flash CAMBODIA - Strenna 2019: #Holiness for you, too! - March 2019
I offer my public acknowledgement of all Provincials who have sought to choose a Delegate for communication in the province, with a team, aware that they form an essential part of the formative, evangelising and educative mission of the Province (Cf. AGC 411). Fraternally in Don Bosco - Fr Filiberto González Plasencia
Holiness for all - Our Lenten reflection As Salesians, our Lenten Season 2019 is inspired by the invitation of the Rector Major’s Strenna “Holiness for you too.” It is the golden time to reflect on this simple invitation by the successor of Don Bosco and to share it with our children, youth, lay partners and families.
Fr Ángel Strenna
on
the
Missionary holiness, and the youth of the saints The missionary holiness of the Salesian charism, (is) expressed in a notable number of men and women, consecrated and lay, who evidence the proclamation of the Gospel, the inculturation of the faith, the advancement of women, the defence of the rights of the poor and of indigenous populations, and the foundation of local Churches. Deeply impressive is the fact that a very large proportion of the brothers and sisters of our Salesian Family who are on the way toward recognition of their heroic virtues and their holiness are missionaries: Blessed Maria Romero Meneses, FMA; Blessed Maria Troncatti, FMA; Venerable Vincent Cimatti. The Church gazes at the sky of holiness and sees an increasingly large and bright constellation of young men and women, adolescents and young saints and blesseds who, ever since the time of the first Christian communities, have endured until our time. When the Church invokes them as our patrons, she indicates them to young people as references for their existence.” In various surveys including those in
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Bosco Flash CAMBODIA - Strenna 2019: #Holiness for you, too! - March 2019
preparation for the Synod of Bishops on the young, the young people themselves recognize that they are “more receptive when faced with a ‘life story’ [compared with] an abstract theological sermon,” and they consider the lives of the saints to be very relevant to them. Therefore, it is certainly important to present them in a way that is adapted to their age and condition. It is also worth remembering that besides the “young saints” we must present to young people the “youth of the saints.” All the saints were in fact once young, and it would be useful to today’s young people to show them how the saints lived when they were young. In this way it would be possible to begin to deal with many youth situations that are neither simple nor easy, in which, however, God is present and active in a mysterious way. Showing that his grace is at work through complex processes in the patient construction of a holiness that matures with the passing of time in many unforeseen ways, can help all young people without exception to cultivate hope for a holiness that is always possible. Scripture: 1 John 3: 2-7 My dear friends, we are already God's children, but what we shall be in the future has not yet been revealed. We are well aware that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he really is. Whoever treasures this hope of him purifies himself, to be as pure as he is. Whoever sins, acts wickedly, because all sin is wickedness. Now you are well aware that he has appeared in order to take sins away, and that in him there is no sin. No one who remains in him sins, and whoever sins has neither seen him nor recognised him. Children, do not let anyone lead you astray. Whoever acts uprightly is upright, just as he is upright.
Prayer Oh Lord, Our world often seems to be in turmoil, and people are in great need, both close to home and across the globe. Thank you for the love of humanity you have instilled in so many people, especially our Salesian missionaries in Cambodia, young and old, who are willing to go where they are needed, to help and care for the young and the poor.
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Bosco Flash CAMBODIA - Strenna 2019: #Holiness for you, too! - March 2019
Inspire all of us with the same love and concern for our brothers and sisters, wherever and whoever they are. Amen
EAO Translators Workshop 2019 Fr. Klement Vaclav, the EAO Regional Superior, is inviting to the EAO Translators Workshop 2019 that is scheduled for August 27 – 29 in Myanmar. “Our Region is in the forefront of Salesian translation efforts worldwide, and rightly so because the region, linguistically speaking, represents more than one sixth of the world’s languages, but perhaps even more so because of the proven dedication of translators from across the Region over a long period. And the need continues to grow,” said Fr. Vaclav in his invitation letter directed to the EAO Provincials and Delegations.
The last EAO Translators Workshop was in K’Long, Vietnam in 2014. Unfortunately, the lay partner that represented the Cambodian Salesian Delegation resigned short after that meeting. Most translation activities are led in Cambodia by the Social Communication delegate. The upcoming meeting intends to consider the following, according to the words of the EAO Regional Superior:
In overall terms, the Translators Workshop will aim to produce a set of guidelines which will hopefully come together as three separate sections of a manual:
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Bosco Flash CAMBODIA - Strenna 2019: #Holiness for you, too! - March 2019
1. Translation – what makes a good Salesian translation: clear, natural, accurate, true to the charism, 2. Process: teamwork and focus on quality translation; decision-makers; aids; technical aspects; publishing, 3. Checking: team level, wider community level, approval level. So, the aim of the upcoming workshop is quite practical, and will call on the skills of people who are already involved in translating Salesian materials, or being prepared with this in mind. The Cambodian Salesian Delegation has to decide who will represent this time this important meeting in Myanmar by August and to ensure a continuity in the mission to translate the Salesian spirit into the Khmer Language and culture.
In what ways do you love Salesian saints? Dear Friends and Family members,
Salesian
Receive my heartfelt greetings a few days before the beginning of the Lenten season. This year, Ash Wednesday falls on 6 March. In 52 days time from now we will celebrate the Christian heart of each year, the Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! We have embarked on the ‘Holiness for You Too!’ journey since 1st January 2019. This Strenna message helps us to discover so many official Salesian saints as well the ‘next door holiness’ in our daily life. I’m grateful to the 2019 Strenna video that easily inspires even young people to take this path of holiness seriously in the headaches and challenges of everyday life, and its often gray, daily duties.
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Bosco Flash CAMBODIA - Strenna 2019: #Holiness for you, too! - March 2019
How do we express or make visible our love for our Salesian saints? Yes, without getting to know each of the 168+ Salesian Family Saints a little bit more, we can’t talk about our love for them. In some provinces, each classroom in our schools is named after one Salesian Family saint, or important Salesian personality of the past. This way our students have a chance to know them better. In many of our houses we keep the poster of Salesian holiness in a place of honour with its photos of the 168 Salesian Family Saints. Many Salesians dedicate their time and energy to translating biographies into their mother tongue, in order to make our Saints known more. Some of us put on photos of their favorite Saints on their FB page or on a wall, with some typical saying or short story from their life. I was surprised to know that one Salesian confessor asked someone as a penance after confession to buy and read the Biography of Mamma Margaret.
To know, love, imitate, pray to and make known our Salesian Family Saints is a sure way to be more faithful in our following of Jesus, encouraging each other and motivating ourselves on this earthly journey.
Fr. Václav Klement, SDB EAO Regional Councillor
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Bosco Flash CAMBODIA - Strenna 2019: #Holiness for you, too! - March 2019
Photos of the Month
Br. Prak Ieth is welcome by Fr. Roel Soto and the community of Don Bosco Phnom Penh at the end of his philosophy. Br. Ieth is going this year for practical training. Obedience still to come.
Fr. Dheparat, THA Provincial, with Fr. Pascual Chávez Villanueva, Rector Emerius and the two THA Provincial Emeritus Fr. Somchai and Fr. Prasert. All of them have to see with the presence of Don Bosco in Cambodia.
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Bosco Flash CAMBODIA - Strenna 2019: #Holiness for you, too! - March 2019
Videos of the Month
Watch the interview to Fr. Pascual Chávez Villanueva, Rector Emeritus, during his visit to Thailand. He sends a message to Cambodian youth and confreres. It is in Spanish. Please turn on the English or Khmer subtitles from your Youtube application.
Watch and hear the greeting of Br. Chan Dara, Cambodian Postnovice in Sampran, Thailand. 9
Bosco Flash CAMBODIA - Strenna 2019: #Holiness for you, too! - March 2019
Don´t miss the message of our Rector Major, Father Angel, from Panama, during the World Youth Day. This video has subtitles in Khmer Language.
Br. Roberto Panetto participated at the EAO Meeting for Provincial and Delegations´ Economers in Papua New Guinea with the lead of Br. Müller, World Councilor for Economy.
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Bosco Flash CAMBODIA - Strenna 2019: #Holiness for you, too! - March 2019
The Cambodia Salesian Delegation Past Pupils, are inviting for the SALESIAN FAMILY DAY on April 6, 2019. Please refer to the Facebook Page for more information.
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