OzBosco 2017
Ferntree Gully, Australia, 30 April -- The 2017 annual Salesian Youth Gathering held in Australia was hosted by St Joseph’s College, Ferntree Gully from 28 to 30 April. About 150 young people came from the many different settings which the Salesians and Salesian Sisters animate. These groups came together for a weekend of Friendship, Fun and Family!
Using the 2017 Strenna of the Rector Major as the main theme ‘We are a Family: every home a school of life and love’ the focus was twofold – we all come from a human family, and we are members of the Salesian family. All the activities in the program over these days developed an aspect of these two themes. The keynote presentation on Saturday was given by Ms Lauren Hichaaba, Director of the Cagliero Volunteer Project and Provincial Delegate for Mission Animation, who reflected on her experience of family as a daughter, wife and mother and challenged everyone to reflect on their own experience of living in a family, giving and receiving. The keynote presentation on Sunday was given by a panel of five people – Cl Tristan O’Brien sdb, Sr Louise McKeogh fma, Ms Bronwyn Dean, Mr Ashley Trethowan and Mr Michael Walter who reflected on their experience of being a member of the wide Salesian family and living the Salesian charism. This group had experiences of many different aspects of the Salesian mission – Religious life, Cagliero Volunteer, Past Pupil, teacher, youth group leader, youth ministry, working for the disadvantaged and social communication.
The various moments of prayer, the Good Morning and Good Nights, then discussion groups sharing in ‘Oratory Groups’, and even the games and recreational activities included elements of these two wonderful themes. The program concluded with the celebration of Eucharist with Fr Greg Chamber, Provincial challenging all participants to be like the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus (Gospel passage of the day) to have hearts burning within them and responding to the presence of the risen Lord and to be true follower of Don Bosco with hearts burning for the love of the young!
The weekend really was a ‘school of life and love’ and we all became One Big Family!
