Clifton Hill, Australia, 21 May 2017 -- On Sunday 21 May the Salesian Parish of Our Lady of the Southern Cross (an amalgamation of the parishes of St Joseph’s Collingwood and St John’s Clifton Hill) celebrated its Feast Day with a special remembrance of Mary Help of Christians, the National Patronal Feast of Australia.
In this Marian context, one so close to the heart of our Founder, Don Bosco, Br Thomas Nattawut Kitsawad (known as Br Por) made his Perpetual Profession. The community was delighted by the presence of Fr Aaron Alcoseba, Vice Provincial and representative of the Thai Province, who received Br Por’s vows in a liturgy presided over by the Provincial of the Australia-Pacific Province, Fr Greg Chambers.
The liturgical celebration reflected a vibrant multi-cultural community with members of the Salesian Family, along with parishioners from Samoa, Vietnam, Italy and Australia, engaged in a powerful expression of their faith through song, dance, procession and prayer. The students of Don Bosco House Melbourne, from Myanmar, Vietnam, Australia, Madagascar, India, Timor Leste, Cambodia and Thailand, united as one joyful voice with these parishioners in the celebration of Mary our Mother and in support for the commitment of Br Por to live forever as a Salesian; poor, chaste and obedient.
The Parish Priest, Fr Peter Hoang, was very welcoming and, on behalf of the parish, warmly congratulated Br Por on professing his vows. In his speech of gratitude Por was especially indebted to his mother and grandmother for their ongoing love and support and to his Salesian confreres in Thailand and Australia who had nurtured his vocation and provided a model of life-long commitment.
As the Eucharist ended the whole community retired into the Church grounds to continue the celebrations with food, games, music and other festivities. It was a wonderful and truly Salesian celebration and a special memory for Br Por as he continues his journey and the prospect of essays and exams in the month ahead brings him firmly back to the reality of everyday life.
Members of the
Don Bosco House Community, Melbourne with Fr Aaron Br Por with the other members of the
Thai Province and Cambodian Delegation:
Cl Jack Kitichai Saisawang, Fr Aaron Alcoseba (Vice Provincial), Cl Por Nattawut Kitsawad, Cl Anusit
Chanphen, Cl Danial Rafanomezantsoa, Cl Michael Gaikwad.
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