austraLasia #2794
A goal achieved and a new beginning
MELBOURNE: 31 January 2011 - On Sunday, 30 January,
at a Mass to celebrate the Vigil of the Feast of Saint John
Bosco, Bro John Baptist Thuy Nguyen (better known to
Australia-Pacific Salesians as Thuy) made his Final
Profession into the hands of the Provincial of the
Australia-Pacific Province, Fr Frank Moloney. The
Church of St Margaret Mary’s, North Brunswick, set in an
inner-suburb of Melbourne, was packed with Salesians,
Salesian Sisters, Co-operators, friends, youth leaders,
family, and the multi-cultural Parish family of St Margaret
Mary’s: Anglo-Irish, Italian and Vietnamese. Bishop
Tim Costelloe, SDB, who had been Thuy’s Rector during his
years of formation, preached. He used the Gospel
account of the annunciation to Mary to parallel Thuy’s
journey towards this day of “annunciation” of God’s will,
and encouraged Thuy in his unconditional “yes” to God’s plan
for him. In a ceremony that had many highlights, after
Thuy had pronounced his vows and been accepted into the
Congregation, Fr Moloney asked all the Salesians and the
Salesian Sisters to come forward to congratulate Thuy
individually. It was a touching moment for all
present, and was met with great applause.
This is the end of a long journey for
Thuy. At 15 years of age he fled his home and family
at the fall of Saigon, and spent three years in a refugee
camp in Malaysia. The Final Profession was a moment
for many of Thuy’s friends from those days to meet once
more, and it was an emotional moment. Thuy’s sister
was able to be there from Vietnam, but his mother, who now
lives in the USA, was unable to get a visa. We are
still hoping to have her with us. After several years
working as an assistant in Youth Centres, Thuy has recently
completed a post-graduate qualification in Information
Technology. This year he begins his new life as a
finally professed Salesian. He will be part of the IT
team in the service of the large Salesian school, Dominic
College, Glenorchy, one of the poorer areas of Hobart,
Tasmania.
It is a long way from Vietnam to
Glenorchy, and Thuy’s journey has taken many twists and
turns. However, as Thuy said in his words at the end
of the Eucharist, he has always sensed that God has been
with him in his trials, as well as in his moments of
blessing. The Australian part of the Australia-Pacific
Province now has only two men in formation (we do better in
the Pacific). There is no cleric in formation.
If someone was to be sent today, it would be more than 11
years before we ordained another Priest. On this Feast
of St John Bosco, we ask for your prayers.
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Further note: this news item represents several factors of
general interest
- Almost every Salesian who has grown up in the 'deep south'
of our region (I mean the Australia-Pacific Province) has
made his profession on or about 31st January. And of course
each year sees celebrations of 25, 50 years (or more!). For
those who know these confreres, Bro Joe Ellul and Fr Frank
Freeman celebrate 60 years of profession today. Frs Frank
Moloney, John Papworth and Lawrie Moate celebrate 50 years.
- Given the 2011 Strenna theme (which starts January and
ends December, despite tendencies to twist it otherwise!),
'vocation', today's story should be an inspiration to many -
and we hope to young Australians and Pacificans!
- Interesting to recall that St John Bosco's relic is in
Vietnam today. An extra special little blessing for Thuy
from home soil!
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