By Fr. Anthony Kishore Minj, SDB
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, 15 October 2016 -- With the approval of Rector Major Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime to have a new Salesian presence in Mongolia in June 2016, Salesians in Monglia are happy to open a new mission presence. On October 15, 2016 on the feast of St. Teresa of Avila His Excellency His Excellency Wenceslao Padilla, the Bishop of Mongolia introduced the salesians and the FMA sisters to the local faithful during the Holy Mass. More than 40 people attended this ceremony. After the mass the faithful organized concert and reception in Mongolian Ger (house). Fr. Paul Leung newly appointed Delegate of Mongolia addressing the people said that Mongolian delegate would give full support to build up the mission in Shovoo.
The new presence of salesians is called Shovoo means bird. This sub-center (mission center) was run by the bishop himself for past 15 years. The bishop wanted to entrust this mission to the congregations but due to lack of personnel and resources no one was able to take it up. Shovoo is a village 40 kilometers away from Ulaanbaatar; it has around 60 Catholics, numerous children and youth. It is surrounded by hills and rivers and huge pasture land. Agriculture is the main occupation of the people.
This year Mongolian mission has been blessed with three missionaries who finished their studies and other tasks and are back to Mongolia. With the arrival of these missionaries the process of expansion and development continues in Mongolia.
To pioneer the mission of Shovoo Fr. Andrew Nguyen Tin the former Delegate and Fr. Mario Gasper has been assigned by the province of Vietnam-Mongolia. The Delegate of Mongolia wishes them success and perseverance and assures them prayers and support.
