austraLasia

By Fr. Mathew Vadakkevettuvazhiyil, SDB

Massey, New Zealand, 3 June 2017 -- After the first promise of Mrs. Anna Siemsen and Mrs. Lagi Filomena Schwenke (Samoa) during the 9th EAO Salesian Cooperators Congress in Tokyo, May 2017, there is as renewed attention to this vocation in the Pacific Delegation. After the start of Salesian Cooperators in PNG (2000), the 2015 visit of the Rector Major in the six countries of the Pacific produced a fresh impetus for the Salesian Vocation amongst the Lay people.

The ACTION PLAN of the Pacific Delegation 2020, shared in Tokyo EAO Congress 2017:

The three of us from the Pacific prepared our action plan for the next three years leading up to the 10th EAO Congress in 2020. The Cooperators are enthusiastic to get involved in the apostolate of their local parishes, family ministry and in their commitment for the poor youth in their places.

Samoa: In 2020 we hope to have 15 promised Salesian Cooperators. We are working towards recruiting young aspirants and have regular monthly formation meeting (both Alafua and Saleloga)

Fiji: We plan to help the incoming Salesian Parish of St. John Bosco in Suva to begin a process of vocation promotion to the Salesian Cooperators with the help of our formation community (Rector Fr. Paselio)

New Zealand: It is our desire to have a group of promised Salesian Cooperators Auckland in two years time and plan to begin the second group of the Aspirants. At present time there are starting groups in Massey and Avondale parishes.

We envision of having a Pacific Delegation Congress of the Salesian Cooperators in two years time. It is our hope that such a Congress will enable better interaction, build up true friendship and encounter a sense of belonging to the Salesian Family among the Salesian Cooperators of the Pacific Delegation."

During the recent consultation for the new provincial of Australia-Pacific Province were organized not less than three encounters with Fr. Klement and the Aspirants to the Salesian Cooperators in Auckland - Avondale and Massey as well in Samoa - Alafua Don Bosco (photos).