austraLasia #2861
"Credible centres of learning for Christians and Muslims..."
LAHORE: 26 May 2011 -- "We concluded, last Sunday, a short gathering of all the confreres now working in Pakistan. 10 Salesians from the 2 communities now present here (Quetta and Lahore) came together to share, evaluate and plan about Don Bosco’s mission in this place currently being tested by tides of challenges and changes. It was also an opportunity for the confreres to relax a bit and enjoy each other’s company which distance, uncertain conditions and various responsibilities often make them impossible to achieve.
The meeting started on May 20 and ended on the 22nd. It was made even more special by the presence of Fr. Andrew Wong, General Councilor for EAO region and Fr. George Militante, Provincial of the Philippine-South Province (FIS) to which the mission in Pakistan is attached, who both actively participated in the assemblies and took time to individually talk to the confreres.
Among the important issues discussed were the current state of the works in the two presences and the effort to create more possibilities for sharing of resources and closer collaboration between them; the quality of life and religious discipline of the confreres; and the urgent tasks of evangelisation, vocation promotion and formation of our young Salesians.
It is important to share here as well that of the 10 Salesians now working in Pakistan, 4 are local confreres now in their practical training. And there are also other young Pakistani men and women seriously discerning about their vocation to the Salesian life. We are also awaiting the arrival of 2 new missionaries from Viet Nam and the Philippines.
Don Bosco’s mission, which started 13 years ago, has now developed into credible centres of learning for both young Christians and Muslims. Our hostels, with around 220 Christian boys and girls (i.e. 150 boys in Lahore and 50 boys and 20 girls in Quetta) are also special places that particularly challenge us to strengthen and systematize our work for evangelisation and education to the faith. There’s truly much to be done here in Pakistan and in spite of the many difficulties we face every day, there are also glimmers of hope bursting forth every now and then that assure us that we are not alone—that indeed, “He is with us always.”
Hopefully then this bit of news will help you remember us in your prayers, that safe from all harm, we may remain faithful
_________________
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 . RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2011 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
"Credible centres of learning for Christians and Muslims..."
LAHORE: 26 May 2011 -- "We concluded, last Sunday, a short gathering of all the confreres now working in Pakistan. 10 Salesians from the 2 communities now present here (Quetta and Lahore) came together to share, evaluate and plan about Don Bosco’s mission in this place currently being tested by tides of challenges and changes. It was also an opportunity for the confreres to relax a bit and enjoy each other’s company which distance, uncertain conditions and various responsibilities often make them impossible to achieve.
The meeting started on May 20 and ended on the 22nd. It was made even more special by the presence of Fr. Andrew Wong, General Councilor for EAO region and Fr. George Militante, Provincial of the Philippine-South Province (FIS) to which the mission in Pakistan is attached, who both actively participated in the assemblies and took time to individually talk to the confreres.
Among the important issues discussed were the current state of the works in the two presences and the effort to create more possibilities for sharing of resources and closer collaboration between them; the quality of life and religious discipline of the confreres; and the urgent tasks of evangelisation, vocation promotion and formation of our young Salesians.
It is important to share here as well that of the 10 Salesians now working in Pakistan, 4 are local confreres now in their practical training. And there are also other young Pakistani men and women seriously discerning about their vocation to the Salesian life. We are also awaiting the arrival of 2 new missionaries from Viet Nam and the Philippines.
Don Bosco’s mission, which started 13 years ago, has now developed into credible centres of learning for both young Christians and Muslims. Our hostels, with around 220 Christian boys and girls (i.e. 150 boys in Lahore and 50 boys and 20 girls in Quetta) are also special places that particularly challenge us to strengthen and systematize our work for evangelisation and education to the faith. There’s truly much to be done here in Pakistan and in spite of the many difficulties we face every day, there are also glimmers of hope bursting forth every now and then that assure us that we are not alone—that indeed, “He is with us always.”
Hopefully then this bit of news will help you remember us in your prayers, that safe from all harm, we may remain faithful
_________________
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 . RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2011 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
