austraLasia #2826
 
Korean Salesian youth providing spiritual help for Japan

SEOUL: 23 March 2011 -- After we reported on the generosity of Japanese youth at a time of crisis, news came in from the KOR province on a fine initiative there, on behalf of Japan but also Libya, the two major issues dominating the news these days.
    There are some 30 SYM(Salesian Youth Movement) members in Korea who have organised a chain prayer, based on the Rosary for the victims of the Tsunami in Japan and violence in Libya.
    Together they have drawn up a list of individuals in the group whose task it is to pray each day until 2nd April and this list growing rapidly, now joined by Salesians, begining from the Provincial. The initiative came from the young people themselves and has been welcomed by the confreres, especially Fr Bernard Lee, who is in charge of the SYM and want to be their companion in their journey of faith.
    From Japan itself, Fr Cipriani, Provincial writes, confirming that "it (the earthquake, tsunami and now the nuclear effects) has been really catastrophic; the destrictive power of it all looms more and more. But people remain calm and most of all there is this great effort in looking after people's needs. Unfortunately the foreign community is leaving, including around Tokyo, and this has brought panic, which could be the worst scenario. It is certainly difficult to assess the situation at the moment. The Government asks for calm and are assuring people that they are doing their best to contain the contamination... As Salesians we are trying to answer the appeals and the needs as best possible, however we all know that Japan is a highly organised society, and everything has to be done accordingly. As a first step we are seeking funds to help in restructure.  We are very keen to respond to the appeal of the Bishop Hiraga, Sendai, and Bishop Mizobe, former Bishop of Sendai, is also pressing us to be generous".
    The next item is of particular interest, and we hope to be able to follow this lead: "We will also be generous in opening up to the needs of refugees. For the moment our parish in Hamamatsu (well south of Tokyo) will be sheltering 50 people who have fled stricken places. Please continue to pray".
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