austraLasia 1647
Regional collaboration bears fruit in HCM novitiate
HO CHI MINH CITY: 12th September 2006 -- A combination of financial assistance from China, Japan, Korea Salesian provinces, along with the two Philippines provinces, the Rector Major and a US-based association called the Apostles of Don Bosco, has seen the completion of a new novitiate building in Ho Chi Minh City, precisely at Ba Thon on the outskirts of the city. Not only is the building complete, but replete with 35 novices, 33 for this year plus two who extended their time from last year.
The Ba Thon community started life back in 1975 as a small parish, but then grew over time to include a small-scale vocational training centre with an oratory attached also used by the local school. It then added a pharmacy and clinic for the local neighbourhood. In due course the community became the novitiate community but the existing building was near to collapse. Vietnam has the largest single group of novices in the entire region, so the need for a new building was urgent. The provincial asked if some provinces in the region could help. Now we see the fruits of that.
The complex was designed by a local architect in discussion with the Salesian community. It features a number of details that immediately speak of Salesian spirituality and charism such as the welcoming Good Shepherd at the entrance, and the Coat of Arms with the Da Mihi Animas... The finished interior now also includes paintings by Salesian Brother Dominic Nam who has gone to Italy for training as a printing technician at the Vatican Polyglot Press.
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AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com Try out BoscoWiki to be interactive. For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/RSS/rssala.xm A separate service entirely is called F/OSSERVATORE to help us keep abreast of trends in the digital world.
Regional collaboration bears fruit in HCM novitiate
HO CHI MINH CITY: 12th September 2006 -- A combination of financial assistance from China, Japan, Korea Salesian provinces, along with the two Philippines provinces, the Rector Major and a US-based association called the Apostles of Don Bosco, has seen the completion of a new novitiate building in Ho Chi Minh City, precisely at Ba Thon on the outskirts of the city. Not only is the building complete, but replete with 35 novices, 33 for this year plus two who extended their time from last year.
The Ba Thon community started life back in 1975 as a small parish, but then grew over time to include a small-scale vocational training centre with an oratory attached also used by the local school. It then added a pharmacy and clinic for the local neighbourhood. In due course the community became the novitiate community but the existing building was near to collapse. Vietnam has the largest single group of novices in the entire region, so the need for a new building was urgent. The provincial asked if some provinces in the region could help. Now we see the fruits of that.
The complex was designed by a local architect in discussion with the Salesian community. It features a number of details that immediately speak of Salesian spirituality and charism such as the welcoming Good Shepherd at the entrance, and the Coat of Arms with the Da Mihi Animas... The finished interior now also includes paintings by Salesian Brother Dominic Nam who has gone to Italy for training as a printing technician at the Vatican Polyglot Press.
___________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com Try out BoscoWiki to be interactive. For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/RSS/rssala.xm A separate service entirely is called F/OSSERVATORE to help us keep abreast of trends in the digital world.
