inFINity November 2022

30 November—The Salesians of Don Bosco of the FIN Province gathered at Don Bosco Tarlac tocelebratetheircommunityday

Whatmadethecelebrationmoremeaningful wasthestrongpresenceofthemembersofthe Salesian Family, notably the Association of Salesian Cooperators, and also of the young peoplewhoarepartoftheSeekersgroupofDB Tarlac.

TheHolyMassheadlinedthecelebrationwith FIN Provincial Superior, Fr. Gerardo Martin SDB, asthemainpresider Inhishomily,heremarked that the celebration of St Andrew's feast invites us to pray for Christian unity as St. Andrew preached the Gospel as far as the Black Sea coast of what is now Ukraine. He is also the patronsaintofRussia

HealsoacknowledgedtheSalesianswhomark their jubilee of religious profession and priestly ordination (see the list on page 20). He noted that this milestone is not synonymous with retirement, but an invitation to a firm commitmentforrenewal

After the Mass, everyone gathered in the auditorium of the school for the program. The young people, as well as the confreres in the initial stage of formation rendered creative items. In between, there were games that wowedtheparticipants.

Fr. Alton Fernandez SDB who marks his 70th yearasaSalesianthisyearsharedinhisspeech that"theGodwhocalledDonBoscogatheredus today in love at Don Bosco Tarlac to celebrate the gift of brotherhood as one Province. We are herebecauseofDonBosco."

Cl BenjoMangilaSDB,theyoungestSalesianin FIN, noted that the experience of attending the ProvinceDaycelebrationisareminderfromthe Lord that he belongs to a family "that walks togeth

"We are here because of Don Bosco."

— Fr. Alton

By Prenovice Matthew Espino

themesongreverberatedintheDiocesan ShrineofMaryHelpofChristiansforfour consecutivedaysbecauseofthevisitofthe bloodrelicofSt JohnPaulII,himselfadevoted sonofMary.

YoungpeopletogetherwithSalesians, aspirants,prenovices,FMAsisters,andfaithful gatheredtowelcometheholyrelicthatgraced theshrinefromNovember4-72022.The celebrationstartedwithasolemn enthronementoftherelicandEucharistic CelebrationpresidedoverbyRev.Fr.Jake

AdrianLopez,SDB,rectoroftheshrine, aspirantateandprenovitiatecommunity.

Inhishomily,Fr.Jakeemphasizedthe significanceofatinysparkofGod’slove,such asthebaptismofPopeSt.JohnPaulIIwhich becamehisimpetusandmotivationforhis missionandholiness.Afterthecelebration,the numerousfaithfulgatheredwereallowedto praybeforetheholyrelicandvenerateit.

The

astheycelebratedtheHolyMassforthe departedSalesianslastNovember5,2022. Theshrinewasopenedforthenextthreedays forliturgicalcelebrationsandpublic venerationinhonoroftheholypontiff

TheSalesians,aspirants,andprenovices togetherwiththeshrineministersfacilitated thepublicvenerationstilleightintheevening Pilgrimsfromnearbyparishes,chapels,and communitiesflockedtothecelebrations. Asanactofdevotion,thefaithful,bothyoung andold,wrotetheirprayerintentionsand stayedintheshrinetosaytheirprayersduring theevents.

PopeSt JohnPaulIIwasclosetotheyoung peopleandtheseyoungstersfromDonBosco College,Canlubangprayedinthepresence ofthePope’sRelictheHolyRosary,and veneratedhisholyrelicasCanlubangbid theHolyFather’srelicgoodbye

inFINity isamonthlypublicationproducedbytheCommission

onSocialCommunicationofthePhilippines--NorthProvince(FIN) ItcomesouteverylastdayofthemonthasanhonortoSt.John Bosco,thetitularpatronoftheFINProvince.

Tocontribute,pleasesendusanemailviacscom@one-bosco.org

THE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR

Don Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB

Thestorybeganmanyyears ago,followingtheinfamous FirstWorldWar,inalittle townhighinthemountains ofItaly,inapoorbut dignifiedfamilyofthirteen children.

Oneevening,afterthe childrenhadbeenserved theirportionofpolenta(corn meal),oneofthemrealized thattheirparentsdidnot haveany “Whydoyouand Daddyhaveemptyplates?” heaskedhismom.She answered:“Wearenot hungrytonight.”

“ThenneitheramIhungry,” hesaid,asheranoutinto thebarnyardinthedarkness ofthenight Hismomcaught uptohim,followedbyhis dad.Itwasthenthatlittle Orfeosaiddecisively:“IfI becomeapriest,Iwillwork onlyforthepoor,forthose whoarehungry,justasIam hungrythisevening!”

OrfeoMantovanienteredthe Salesiannovitiateandleft fortheSalesianmissionsin Indiain1934.Indiabecame hissecondandmost belovedhomeland.His bishop,LouisMathias,was anotherSalesiangiant He hadthebeardofthe patriarchsandwasa courageousman.He immediatelygrantedFather Mantovanihiswishby entrustingtohimthemost squalidareasofMadras.

DonOrfeogottowork immediately.Ontheground nexttoatrainstation, blackenedbyoldcoal deposits,hestartedto gatherstreeturchins,those whowereabandonedby everyoneandwhocouldnot takeitanylonger Among them,helaunchedhis challengetothe“blacktiger” –thedesperatehungerof run-downneighborhoods.

Inthisway,theSalesianwith themeeksmilefounded,a littleatatime,asDonBosco did,hisCenterforsocial relief.Ithaddayandnight elementaryschools,afree clinicandhospital,

aleprosarium,andafestive oratory Afterhedied,another Salesiantookhisplace,then another,andanotherafterhim. Thisisthebeautyofalarge religiousfamily.Thesite becameacitadelofloving charity

Justafewweeksago,Ientered thatcitadelinChennai.Forme, itwasamagnificent experience.Theworkbearsthe name“TheBeatitudes”andis knownastheSalesianhouse, intowhichoneentersatage threeandleavesonlyatthe endofone’slifeforthemeeting withourLord.Theysayhere: underDonBosco’ssmiling gaze,“fromthewombtothe tomb.”

PerhapswhatIamwritingwill surpriseyou.Iadmiredthework oftheSalesians,andthe servicetheygivetothousands offamilies,children,teens, youngadults,andtheelderly. Thisisallthefruitofthe collaborationamongthethree congregationsintheSalesian Family:thisisitsfreshnessand richness!Here,theSalesiansof DonBosco,theDaughtersof MaryHelpofChristians,

andthecongregationofthe SistersofMariaAuxiliatrix, theSMA;allworktogether.

Beginningatthreeyearsof age,childrenattendthe grammarschoolrunbythe DaughtersofMaryHelpof Christians,whoalsocarefor teenagegirls.TheSistersof MariaAuxiliatrixassist elderlymenandwomen whohavenosourceof welfareandnootherplace toliveouttheendoftheir days.TheSalesianpriests andbrotherscareforboys andgirlsofvaryingagesas wellastakinginstreet children.Ofcourse,besides allthis,theyvisitthe extremelypoorfamiliesin theareaandtakecareof theparish.

Allthathappensthere makesitseemtobe,ina certainsense,a“little Salesiancity.”Iremained profoundlytouchedand promisedthemthatIwould speakofittomakeitknown because,aswelearned fromDonBosco,thegood thatisdonemustbemade known Iappreciateandvaluevery muchthecollaborationthat hasbegunamongthese threecongregationsofour SalesianFamily What mattershereisnotwho ownsthelandorthe buildingsbutthegoodthat isdone–andisdone together–goingouttomeet thepoorestandmostfragile (herewethinkofthose elderlypersonswhomake usunderstandwhatfrailty andinsecurityare).

Ifitwerenotforthatlittle paradisecalled“The Beatitudes,”whichGodhad inmindforthem,frailty, poverty,andinsecurity wouldhavethelastword.

Whoeverreflectsonthe VillageoftheBeatitudes cannothelpbutmarvelat theresultsofalittleshared love.Everyday,foodfor300 elderlypersonsis guaranteed,over1,000 childrenareserved,and over15,000peoplefindrelief forvariousneeds,“allatzero cost.”Thosewhoenterinto thisVillageoftheBeatitudes seewiththeirowneyes these“fiftyyearsofdaily miracles.”

Themottoesthat characterizethishouseare: “Servingthosewhoareillis thebestprayer”(Fr Mantovani)and“Noonehas therighttobehappyallby himself.”“Itispossibleto givewithoutlove,butitisnot possibletolovewithout giving.”

Thepeopleholdthatthe VillageoftheBeatitudesisa tangibleexpressionofthe Salesians’fidelitytoserving thepoorandaconcrete manifestationofDivine Providenceontheirbehalf. Fortheyoungoftheshanty towns,itisanoasis.Itisa church,school,playground onwhichtolearnhowto playsoccer,agymnasium, andahome.

TothinkthatinChennaiwe havefifteenSalesian communities.Amongthese thereareparishes,middle andhighschools,technical schools,oratories,youth

centers,socialassistance centersforchildrenandyouths atrisk,housesofformation, andevenaseminary.

Thearchbishop,theclergy,and thelaity,bothChristianand non-Christian,greatly appreciateandvaluethemany workscarriedoutbythe Salesians,inparticulartheir concernforyouthministry,the missionscarriedoutforservice tothepoorest,andthe excellentflagshipschoolsthat providequalityinstructionfor all.

Allthisspeakstomeofthe beautyoftheGospelthatis passeddownthroughoutthe world,oftenwiththestrengthof charitycarriedoutinsilence;it speakstomeofDonBoscoand howimportantitwastohimto reachthemostremotecorners oftheworld Inevertireof recallingthatourSalesian Family,DonBosco’ssons,and daughters,arepresenttodayin 134countries,or72%ofallthe countriesintheworld–and thatthisbeganatatimewhen therewerebutfewSalesians. Notwithstandingthesmall number,DonBoscostillsent outhisfirstmissionarygroupto ArgentinatogototheItalian immigrantsandthentoreach theindigenoustribes.Ifwehad remainedonlyinItaly,Don Bosco’scharismwouldnotbe whatitistoday

Iendthiswritingwiththewords spokenonedaybyaHindu publicofficial:“IftheChristian religioncanproducemensuch asDonMantovani,ithastobe divine”

Sto.Tomas,Batangas TheSalesianFamily joinedtheEucharisticCelebrationofthe ArchdioceseofLipainSto.TomasdeAquino Parish,Batangas,forthegraceofmiraclegiven byGodthroughtheintercessionofSt.

ArtemidesZatti. NolessthanArchbishop GilbertGarcera,D.D.himselfledthecelebration.

Theeventwasattendedbyalmost900guests comingfromdifferentSalesiansettings, schools,andparishes,includingthe parishionersandthelocalsofBatangas

ThisisthehomeparishofMr.RenatoNarvaez, whosemiraculoushealingisattributedtothe intercessionofthenBl Zatti Renatoistheelder brotherofBr.Obet,aSalesianBrother.

TheEucharisticcelebrationstartedat4PM.The bellrangandwasfollowedbyasolemnhymn asthebishopwiththeserversprocessed towardsthealtar(comingfromtheside)grace asSt.Zattiwasraisedtothealtarsonhis canonizationlastOctober9,2022

InhisHomily,Fr.GerardoMartin,sharedhis curiositywiththecongregationaboutwhyofall placesintheworld,whyGodchosethemiracle ofSt.ZattitobegrantedinthePhilippines.Why inBatangas?WhyinLipa?WhyinSto.Tomas? "ItisbecauseSt.ArtemidesZattiisaniconof HolinessthroughtheordinaryChristianlife."

Hecontinued,"Perhaps,St.Zattiwantsto showthatholinessisnotforthefamous, powerful,high-status,orextravagant persons,butfortheordinary.St.Zattilived holinessnotbydoingexcessiveactivitiesbut onlybydoinghisordinaryresponsibilities anddutiesinanextraordinaryway"

Fr.GerryhighlightedthatBr.Zatti,evenwhen hewasnotyetacanonizedSaint,was alreadya"saint"inthepharmacy,inthe hospital,intheprison,inhiscommunity,and intheneighborhood.

Hethenchallengedthecongregationthat wemaynotbedeclaredSaint,withcapital “S”oftheChurch,butwecanbeasaint,with asmall“s,”inourparticularcommunities, likeSt.Zatti.

ByBr.RoelJudeMallari,SDB

TowardtheconclusionoftheMass,Fr.Gerry offeredareplicaoftheimageofSt.Zattiasa tokenofthanksgivingtoArchbishopGarcera.

TheArchbishopsharedthattheinvestigation onZatti'ssanctitywasoneofthefirsttasks giventohimbytheVaticanwhenhewas installedasBishopofLipain2017

AftertheMass,theSt.ThomasAquinas Parishofferedrefreshmentstothosewho joinedthecelebration

By Ms. Teena Muñoz-Gueco

TheParishCommunityofSt.DominicSavio celebratedits34thfoundinganniversary onNovember28,2022.

Theeventstartedwiththecelebrationof theHolyMass,presidedbyFr EduardoHila, parishpriest.

Thepastparishpriestswhowerepresentwere Fr.JohnAndreau,Fr.JoseAntonioParas, andFr EdwinSoliva

Fr.BobbyRoxas,rectoroftheProvincialHouse communityalsoconcelebratedandplayeda numberofsaxophonepiecesduringthe program.

Inhishomily,Fr Edwingaveanemphasison unity,balance,andtrustintheparish.

AttheendofthecelebrationoftheHolyMass, anumberofparishionerswererecognizedfor theselflessservicetheyrenderedthroughthe differentorganizationsoftheparishforthe past25to34years.

Thethanksgivingprogramanddinnerfollowed intheparishbasement,whichwashighlighted bytheserenadeofMs.CharleneRamos.

TheChavezFamilyisoneoftherecipientsof theSt.DominicSavioAward.(FromLtoR)Elvie Calingacion,PPCtreasurer;RoseGay Castaneda,PPCcoordinator;Sr AselaChavez, FMA,Mr.RestitutoChavez,Mrs.LuciaChavez,Fr. DudsHila,andMr.RommelChavez.

Thefamilywasrecognizedfortheirsignificant contributiontothebettermentoftheparish throughtheirinvolvementandcontributionto theparishcommunity.

Atty.CreseldaBaldonadorenderedthe gratitudespeech.andtheturnoverofthe donationproceedsfromtheParishPastoral Counciltotheparishpriest

OurLadyofMountCarmelParishinNaga concludeditsrosarymonthcelebrationwith aFamilyLivingRosary.itwasrescheduledlast November5,2022,duetotyphoonPaeng.

TheeventwasorganizedbytheParishYouth Ministrywiththetheme“AlayngPamilyapara kayMaria.”

Differentfamiliesandparishservantscoming fromourdifferentchapelsparticipatedinthe activity. Theyouthpreparedsongs,dances, andskitsforourBlessedMother Everyfamily donatedfoodpacksforourpoorTVETstudents.

Tocapoffthenight,Fr.TotoCerada,YouthInCharge,deliveredthetraditionalGoodNight Talk.Therewasasmallcelebrationforallwho attendedtheevent.

DB Tondo Honors Missionaries

By DBYC Tondo Mission Group

ThemonthofOctoberhaswidelybeenassociated withthemissionwithintheCatholicChurch. Missionhaslongbeeningrainedintheheartsand mindsofthefaithfulforseveralyearsandevenfor theyearstocome

ByMs.Ma.CelineRiaC.Acosta

Toshowitssolidarityandunwaveringsupport towardthemissionarieswhoareconstantly andpersistentlyworking,praying,and evangelizingindividualsacrosstheglobe,St. JohnBoscoParish-Tondoinpartnershipwith itsYouthMinistryconductedandputupan exhibitspearheadedbytheDBYCDrumand LyreBandfeaturingeminentSalesian Missionaries,particularlyFr PeterG Zago,SDB, Fr.JohnBenna,SDB,Fr.Luis“Lolo”Iriarte,SDB, andFr.MiguelSolarol,SDBtonameafew.

Thesaidexhibitwasopenedandmade accessibletothepubliclastOctober13, 2022,tobreakopentheMissionsMonth

Thisinitiativewashighlybeneficialand informativefortheyouthofSt.JohnBosco inTondoasitgaveawell-deserved spotlighttotheSalesianMissionarieswho dedicatedtheirlivestosharingthe teachingsofSt.JohnBoscoaswellas God’sloveandaffectionforeveryonein spiteoftheirvaryingcircumstancesinlife Thisexhibithasalsoprovedtobe instrumentalinenlighteningand encouragingtheyouthofSt.JohnBosco tofollowinthefootstepsoftheSalesians thatprecededthem.

(MANDALUYONGCITY)Fr

GerardoN.Martin,SDB, ProvincialSuperiorofthe PhilippineNorthProvince,on a3-dayvisittoDonBosco TechnicalCollegehonored andreceivedawarm welcomefromthousandsof Bosconiansandhundreds ofSalesianeducatorswhen hearrivedonMonday, November14,2022.

The3-day(November14-16, 2022)visitofFr.Provincialis meaningfulandfilledwith activities.

Onthefirstday,Fr.Gerry waswelcomedbythe SalesiancommunityofDon Bosco-Mandaluyong headedbyFr.Ronilo Javines,SDBRector.

HemettheNon-Teaching andAcademicNonTeachingPersonnelonhis secondday.Inthe afternoon,hemetwiththe BasicEducation DepartmentattheRoderick FloresHall.

Onhislastday,hehadan encounterwiththeTertiary EducationDepartment consistingofCollege,TVET, andAMT.Afterthis,an EducativePastoral CommunityMasswasheld attheSt.JohnBosco Chapel.Hisvisitwas concludedwithasimple thanksgivingprogramand lunchwithallSalesian EducatorsattheCandusso Court.

“Fr.Provincial’scomingata timewhenmanyare dealingwithmany challenges,customizations, andrehabilitations;his humbleheart,listeningear, enlighteningwords,and guidingpresenceonhowto discernwhatappropriate responsesMandaluyong communitymakeinlightof thesechallengesisvery helpful”Fr Javines,SDBsaid

Fr.MarcWillLim,Vice PresidentforAdministration notedthat“Fr.Provincial visitationisablessing becauseitenablesone anothertoworkwithone heartandasonefamily."

Headds,"Itisanexcellent opportunitytobemore reflectiveandtodeeply understandthevaluesof educatingandevangelizingthe young Thespiritualand emotionalconceptscouldfind resonanceintheheartofeach Salesianeducator,a manifestationofacultureof Salesianfamilyspirit”

TheProvincialSuperior’svisit couldhavealastingimpacton manyBosconiansandSalesian educators’consciousness.

ThepresenceofaProvincial SuperiorintheDBTC Communityindeedbringsona spiritualrevitalization,afeeling oftoweringinspirationbecause itisnoteverydaythata communityisvisitedbythe ProvincialSuperior

MHC National Shrine Holds Synodality Parade

By PPAP Media Team

TheCommissiononFamilyspearheadedthe SynodalityParadewhichwasparticipatedby representativesfromvariouscommissions, withtheirrespectiveorganizationsand ministries.Thistimelyeventalsofallsonthe 6TH yearanniversaryofCOF’sParishPastoral AccompanimentProgram(PPAP).This parish-wideeventwasheldonNovember12, startingwithaEucharisticcelebrationatthe Shrine

Byparticipatingintheparade,theattendees signifiedtheirpositiveresponsetothe challengeof“WalkingTogetherwithaNEW Heart,”thethemeoftheevent.Theinspiration forthethemewastakenfromthepassageof Isaiah(43:18-19),"Remembernottheformer things,norconsiderthethingsofold Behold,I amdoinganewthing:nowitspringsforth,do younotperceiveit?Iwillmakeawayinthe wildernessandriversinthedesert.”AsMalou Reformado(oneoftheorganizers)said,“It maybetheshortestparadebutwhen synodalityisembraced,itwillbethelongest yetfulfillingjourneyofourChristianfaith.”

Theparadeisasymbolicgestureofjourneying togethertowardthedreamtobecomea welcomingchurch;aresponsetothecallfor SynodalitybyPopeFrancis.Originally-crafted cheersandslogansresoundedatthegym, withthepalpableexperienceofsharedjoyand excitement.Inthisfriendlycompetition,with prizesatstake,ElShaddaibagsthemajorprize asbeingthebestincheer.Meanwhile,Couples forChrist(CFC)bagsthefirstplaceforits slogan,“Everyoneiswelcomeinthehouseof theLord,wherealltheservantsareinone accord,toserveyoucoffee,juiceortea,toask howyouareandtolistenwithglee”

“Thisisanexperienceofonenessand commitment,”asechoedbyNationalShrineof MaryHelpofChristiansParish(NSMHCP)Parish PriestandRector,Fr.CrisMagbitang,SDB,ashe deliveredhismessagethatisconnectedtothe oathofcommitmentutteredbythe participants.

Thisisnottheend,butjustthebeginning,forall inNSMHCP:towalktogether,encouragingone anotherinourfaithjourney,intheLord,and withtheintercessionofourparishpatroness, MaryHelpofChristians.

APACC Awards Silver Level Accreditation to DBTI Makati

By Don Bosco One TVET

AftertherecentAsiaPacificAccreditation andCertificationCommission(APACC) onsiteaccreditationlastSeptember19–21, DonBoscoTechnicalInstituteofMakati, Inc.(DBTIMakati)receivedaSilverLevel AccreditationvalidfromOctober21,2022, toOctober20,2026.

DBTIMakatiisthefirsttechnicalinstitute undertheDonBosco-OneTVETPhilippines, Inc.(DB1TVET)systemtoundergoanon-site accreditationconductedbyAPACC AttendedbythefacultyandstaffofDBTI Makati,theaccreditationopenedwitha programwelcomingtheAPACC accreditationteam,consistingofthelead accreditorfromthePhilippines,Prof.

RomulitaC.AltoEd.D.,memberaccreditor andCPSCGoverningBoard-Engaged FacultyConsultantfromMalaysia,Dr KesavanUlaganathen,anddocumentation officerandCPSCProjectsandConsultancy Division(PCD)Assistant,Mr.PauloAnthony Mendoza.

DB1TVETExecutiveDirectorandTechnical DirectorofDBTIMakati,Fr.JoseDindoVitug, SDB,welcomedthedelegateswithan openingspeech,sharinghowtheAPACC accreditationwouldhelptheinstitutebuilda cultureofexcellenceanddelivermore qualityTVETprogramseffectivelyinservice oftheFilipinoyouth TheAPACCaccreditors sharedtheirspecialmessagestowardsDBTI Makati.Aftertheopeningprogram,the guestsweretouredaroundtheDBTIMakati TVETCenter Theysawforthemselvesthe workshops,classrooms,andotherschool facilities.Theywerealsoabletointerview someoftheBosconianTVETstudentsand trainers,wholetthemobserveongoing lectures

TheAPACCaccreditationwasathree-day visitcommittedtoevaluatingtheinstitution onthe7APACCcriteria,namely:Governance andManagement,TeachingandLearning, HumanResources,Researchand Development,ImageandSustainability, OtherResources,andSupporttoStudents

(ANS - Ho Chi Minh City) - The meeting of Provincial Delegates for the Youth Ministry of the East Asia-Oceania Region was held from November8-12

As in the other similar regional-level meetings, after the presentation of the content of the text "A Pastoral Care that EducatestoLove"oftheYouthMinistrySector, a discussion was opened in the groups and the assembly. There are many intersections between this theme and other issues, such as identity, inequality, and rights. A nonjudgmentaldialoguetookplace,covering a wide range of topics, such as bullying, diversity, social norms, media representations, culture, or relationships in Salesianeducationalworks.

The General Councilor for Youth Ministry also presented the document "Vocational Animation, Inspiring Principle and Horizon of Youth Ministry. " It speaks of how all Salesian youth ministry is oriented to vocational discernment,insofarasitsultimateobjective is to help young people discover the concrete path to fulfill the life project to which God is calling them. "Youth ministry and vocation animation are a symphony with two voices," said Fr. García Morcuende. He insisted that vocation promotion must be seenasthesoulofallprocessesofouryouth ministry. Thus, vocation ministry cannot be reducedtomererecruitment.

Finally, a motivational document was presented on the importance of pastoral planning and house visits, insisting on the proper elaboration of the Provincial Salesian Educational-PastoralProject.

"Wehavealwaysfoundthecontrastbetween one type of pastoral care characterized by the uniformity of repetition of actions, methods, and much improvisation, and another type of pastoral care in which planning, creativity, and attention to realities mark a plural future according to the needs of different situations and evangelization itself,"summarizedtheGeneralCouncilor.

Under the guidance of Fr. García Morcuende andFr JoebethVivo,amemberoftheSector for Youth Ministry, the implementation of the themes addressed last year was also reviewed and the various Good Practices developedintheProvinceswereshared.

Other topics of dialogue and reflection includedtheaccompanimentoftheSalesian Youth Movement, the Congress of Salesian Social Works and Services, the process of updating the Framework on Oratory-Youth Center, initiatives for the celebration of the "9-year Dream" in 2024, World Youth Day in Lisbon 2023, and initiatives promoted by the YouthMinistrySectoronintegralecology.

Thefour-dayjointmeetingofthedelegatesof SocialCommunicationandFormationofthe EastAsia–Oceaniaregionbeganthis morning,attheHuaHinretreatcenterinthe presenceofFr.IvoCoelho,theGeneral CouncillorforFormation;Fr.GildásioMendes, theGeneralCouncillorforSocial Communication,Fr.NguyenThinhPhuoc Joseph,theRegionalCouncillorofEastAsiaOceaniaRegionandFr.JohnBoscoDheparat, theProvincialoftheThailandprovince.

TheInauguralprogrambeganwithabrief introductionofalltheparticipants.Fr.Gildásio Mendesapplaudedthehospitalityofferedand appreciatedthecharmingbeautyofthe region,amidstitspoliticalandeconomic challenges.Hethankedtheparticipantsfor theirworkinansweringthechallengesofthis diverseregion.

Fr.IvoCoelhoalsoreaffirmedthebeautyofthe regionandexhortedeveryonetoembraceits beauty.Inhiswords,hesaid,“Itawonderful region,thathasalonghistoryofworking together–planning,decisionmaking, sacrifice,andfraternity.Whilethereareso manychallengesoutsideinsomanysectors, therealdifficultiesaretheonesthatareonthe inside.Weneedtoformourselvescontinuously asweformothers,anddiligentlyadapt ourselvesandwiselyrespondtothe challengesofthedigitalworld”

Fr.JosephPhuoc,inhismessagethankedthe provincialandtheprovincefortheirhospitality andgenerosityandaffirmedthattheregion wasextremelybeautifulandblessedwith good,dedicated,andholyconfreres

“Thisisyourhome,andfeelathome.Myjobis tomakeeveryonehappy,andthatisthejobof theprovincial.Weareblessedtohaveyou here”expressedFr.JohnBoscoDheparatashe welcomedtheparticipantsandgavetheman overviewoftheactivitiesoftheHuaHin SalesianCentre,whichhadabigschool, aspirantate,youthcenter,andaretreatcenter. Thesecondpartoftheinauguralprogramwas dedicatedtoaLectioDivinaonthetheme

“Listeningwiththeearoftheheart”basedon PopeFrancis’messageforthe56thWorld CommunicationsDay.Afterabrief presentationofthetheme,followedbya momentofsilentreflection,therewasalsoa sharinginsmallgroupsonthetheme.

Bothgroupsbegantheirspecific presentations,discussions,andsharingwith theirrespectiveGeneralCouncillors,afterthe inauguralsession.Thethirddaywasentirely dedicatedtojointreflectionanddiscernment onthetheme“FormationoftheSalesiansin theDigitalEra”

Thefraternalatmosphere,warmhospitality, andlushgreeneryaroundmadeallthe participantsfeelenthused,anditsetavery favorableambianceandtoneforthejoint meeting.

ANS–Bangkok,Thailand9November2022--

FIN Province Hosts EAO Missions Meet

ByFr.AntonioMolavin,SDB

FromNovember9to13,theFINProvince hostedtheEastAsia-Oceaniameetingof ProvinceDelegatesonMissionAnimation (PDMA)attheMaryHelpofChristians

SpiritualityCenterinBatulao

Themeetinghighlightedthemissionaryspirit asessentialtothecharismofour congregation.Infact,itwasbecauseofthe missionaryimpulseofDonBoscoandthe RectorMajorsthatourcongregationisoneof thelargestandmostwidespreadintheworld Itisforthisreasonthateverylocalcommunity inourcongregationisnotonlya“receiving” communitybutalsohastobea“sending” community.

tisduringthepostnovitiatethatSalesians intheinitialstageofformationaremade toappreciatethemissionary natureofourcongregation.

Itwasalsoduringthismeetingthatthenew RegionalCoordinatorofEA0-PDMAwas announced:Fr.CharlesArunofCambodia.

Tohaveabreak,theparticipantsspentFriday afternoonatBrillantSkyinTagaytay Onthe lastnightofthemeeting,insteadoflookingfor aplacetobeexposedtotheFilipinocultureof danceandsongs,thescholarsofBatulao entertainedtheparticipantswithnativeand moderndancesandsongs,whichtheyall enjoyed.Nextyear’smeetingwillbehostedby PapuaNewGuinea.

Ofthe15participants,fivewereFilipinos:Fr. AlfredMaravilla(Rome),Fr.JojoSanJuan (Timor),Fr.TerryTapay(Thailand),Fr.Onie Baclay(FIS),andFr BengMolavin(FIN)

Fouryearsafterthedeathofitsfounder,+Fr.

JohnBenna,theFilipinocommunitybasedinSt. JohntheEvangelist,oneofDonBosco's churches,isasvibrantasever.Thepresent pastoroftheTorino-basedFilipinoCatholic chaplaincy,Fr CharlesManlangitshareshis heartfouryearsafterhisarrivalinTurin:

"MyministryfortheFilipinomigrantsinTorino istrulyagreatprivilegeasaSalesianpriest becauseIcouldsaythatIamstandingonthe shouldersoftwogreatpersons:St JohnBosco andDonJohnBenna

ItisTurinwhereDonBoscobeganhis magnificentworkfortheyoung,poor,and abandonedbysocietyatthattime.Sothe timesIgettovisitValdoccoandtheBasilica ofthe"Ausilliatrice"aretrulyinspiringand rechargingmomentsinmySalesianvocation St.JohntheEvangelist,ontheotherhand,isthe centerofmyministryamongFilipinos.The basement,wheretheFilipinoChaplaincyis located,hasbeentheseatofmanyactivities religious,social,andrecreational—oftheFilipino Community DonBennawasfirmlyconvinced thatthisistheplacewhereDonBosco“desired” theFilipinostogatherandgrowintheirCatholic faith.

Now,Ibelievethatmyministryistocontinue whatthegreat“founder”ofthechaplaincyhas startedwithmuchlove,care,anddedicationfor thegoodandwelfareoftheFilipinopeople.

AstheChaplaincycompletes25yearsin September2023,thereisreasontoremember thelegacyofthepast,celebratethemodest achievementsofthepresent,andcommitto bearingabundantfruitsinthefuture

EverySundayinthemorninghourssome120 Filipinoyoutharegatheringfortheir catechesissessionsintheItalianlanguage, byFilipinocatechists.Atthesametime,some other20adultsareinvolvedintheBiblestudy andBiblesharing TheordinarySundayMass celebratedatnoon-timeattractsmorethan 400faithful,withwonderfullypreparedliturgy, animatedbymorethan50altarservers(boys -Saviosandgirls-Lauras).Thewholeliturgy isusuallyinTagalog.

Afterthesharedlunch,theyouthcontinue intheOratorybasketballtournamentand alargegroupofadultswhoareinvolvedinthe LegionofMaryorinthe'ElShadai'charismatic movementhavetheirownsession.Amidstthe secularizedlargeEuropeancitythisFilipino communitycontributeswithafreshairof familyandcommunity-baseddynamicfaith.

TheFilipinoTorinochaplaincyisbasedinone ofthesixchurchesbuiltbyDonBoscohimself, somethreekilometersfromValdocco.It'sone ofthedozensoflargeFilipinoCatholic communitiesaroundItaly Filipinosareliving mainlyinsixcities(Rome,Milan,Florence, Modena,Turin,Bologna)with60Filipino Associationsaroundthecountry.AnotherFIN ProvinceSalesianisministeringtotheFilipino communityinMilan

By CSCom News Service

AteamofSalesiansofDonBoscofromtheFIN Provincepresented“FilipinoYouthinDialogue withChristianFaith”inaroundtablediscussion onDay2oftheConférenceMondialedes InstitutionsUniversitairesCatholiquesde Philosophie(COMIUCAP)heldattheUniversity ofSto.TomasinManilalastNovember16to18.

ThePhilosophicalCongress“aimstopromote theexchangeofinformationandinstitutional cooperationamonginstitutionsofphilosophy establishedintheframeoftheCatholic Universitiesthattodayexistthroughoutthe world.”

Thisyear’sCongressthemeis"Faith,Reason, andDialogue:ListeningtoAsia.”

Theroundtablediscussionabstractexplained that:"VaticanIIandthedocumentsthatcame afteritareclearabouttheroleand responsibilityoftheChurchtocommunicate ourfaithinalanguagethatisunderstoodand meaningfultoall.Thechanginglandscapeof ouryoungpeople,complicatedbytheongoing pandemic,bringsusface-to-facewiththetask oftranslatingthesamegospelinwaysthatare bothrelevantandmeaningfulforthem.

Recentstudies,forexample,showthatyoung peoplearemorecomfortablewithnontraditionalwaysofworship,theirattendancein churchandrelatedactivitiesisdwindling,and theyareexpressingtheirfaithandbeliefinGod inwaysthataredifferentfromtheirparents.

Giventhisrealityofthechangingcontextofour

youngpeople,theroundtablediscussion madeanattempttodiscussthefollowing questions:(1)WhatmakesFilipinoyouthopen todialoguewiththeChristianfaith?And(2)in whatwayscantheChristianfaithbe translatedintolanguageandsymbolsthatare understandableandmeaningfultotheFilipino youth?"

Accordingtothevariousarticlespreparedfor thisroundtablediscussion,thereare significantopportunitiesforthisdialogueto translatethefaithintolanguageandsymbols understandabletotheFilipinoyouth.

TheSalesiansofDonBoscowhoarepartofthe roundtablediscussionincludeBr.CarmeloL. Martinez(FilipinoYouthCulture);Fr.RyanOliver D.Bautista(ReligiousEthics);Fr.JoelN. Camaya,SDB(Scriptures);Fr JuvelanPaulN Samia,SDB(PopularPiety),andFr.Donnie DuchinE.Duya,SDB(SocialCommunication).

TheywerejoinedbyMr.AndronelJ.Fernandez (Philosophy),analumnusofDonBosco Canlubangandaprofessorofphilosophy atthesameinstitution

Kuching,Malaysia-November2022-From Nov 16-21,Fr AlfredMaravilla,General CouncilorforMissions,visitedthenewSalesian missionarypresenceinMalaysia.Thecountry islocatedinSoutheastAsia,ontheMalay Peninsula,andontheislandofBorneo.

Thepopulationmanifestsgreatethnic, linguistic,cultural,andreligiousdiversity: Malays,indigenousgroups,Chinese,Indians, Pakistanis,SriLankans,andEuropeancultural influences.Aboutthree-fifthsofthepopulation, or32.78million,areMuslim.Bylaw,all MalaysiansareMuslim.In1511Portugueseand earlyCatholicchaplainsarrivedinMalaysia Today3.58percentareCatholic.

ThefirstgroupofthreeSalesianmissionaries arrivedon15August2017attheinvitationofthe ArchbishopofKuching,ArchbishopSimonPeter PohHoonSeng.

Duringhisvisit,Fr.Maravilladiscussedwiththe SalesiansandtheArchbishopthepossibilities ofstrengtheningtheinitialSalesianpresence andfosteringitsgrowth.Discussionsare ongoingontheprospectofentrustingthe SalesianswithaparishinKuching.

TheSalesianpresenceinMalaysiaisentrusted totheNorthernPhilippinesProvince(FIN).

FromtheSalesianNewsAgency

Economer General Visits FIN Province

By CSCom News Service

Br.JeanPaulMuller,EconomerGeneralofthe SalesianCongregation,paidafraternalvisitto theFINProvincefromNovember11to14,2022.

HearrivedonNovember10fromCebuCity.He isaccompaniedbyDr.JankoJochimsen,the legalconsultantoftheSalesianCongregation.

OnNovember12,2022,Saturdaymorning,Bro. Mullergavesomeformationtalkstoourlocal economers.Lunchwasofferedafterthe formationsession

Healsovisitedsomeofoursettings,suchas theSandorCommunity,DonBoscoTarlac,and DonBoscoMandaluyong Healsometsome confreresattheZattiClinic,includingFr.Sal Putzu,andBr.RaddieLagaya.