By Bro. Hilario Seo, SDB

Daejeon, Korea, 8 October 2016 -- 105 SDBs of KOR attended Provincial Community Day held at the Salesian Youth Center in Daejeon on October 7-8, 2016.

The event commenced with a prayer prepared by the Jeongrim Community at 4pm, followed by an address of Fr. John Jeong on the letter of the Vicar of Rector Major, Fr. Francesco Cereda, which provided some observation on the report of the 15th Provincial Chapter. It was then followed by a "bouna notte" of Provincial, Fr. Stefano Yang, who spoke about his mid-term talk with the Rector Major, who recently had a encounter in late September at Turin with Provincials who are halfway through their term of office.

After dinner, the participants were divided into 9 groups to discuss the current situation of the Province and spent time engaging in discussions.

At 9:00 pm, all the participants were gathered together to engage in fraternal joy with various performances prepared by the different communities. First, the musical “The Door of Mercy” performed by the Aspirants and Confreres of Shinan Community reflected the meanings of the prodigal son according to Luca. It addressed the theme of the prodigal son and illustrated the resolution of the conflict between father and his children through a cherished way of God’s love. Next revealed a special item prepared by novices regarding Bosco’s activity that is reflected through a sense of modernity providing a sketchy yet exciting spirits. All members of the Daerim community enjoyed the performances and the atmosphere was more became warm through the harmony of traditional and contemporary instruments.

There was also a special time to honor three confreres, Fr. Paul Na, Fr. Michael Lee, and Fr. Dominic Oh on their 25th Silver Jubilee of First Religious Profession. They reflected upon their past years and invited their Novice master, Fr. Paul Kim on the stage to sing songs together and to cut the cake. At the end, the gifts prepared by the Provincial were distributed to all communities. These were Aspergilum that could be used during blessing celebration at different moments.

The morning of the second day began with the Holy Mass. In his homily the Provincial, he mentioned some important issues from the colloquy with the Rector Major in September. To examine them in details: 1) The 27th General Chapter's spirit takes effect in all communities and works, 2) Always give priority to the confreres, as Provincials, as well as the Rectors, 3) The importance of formation; not only for initial formation but also for ongoing formation, 4) The universality of Salesianity and the importance of improving foreign language ability and developing internationality, 5) Mission Ad Gentes is the fundamental aspect of the Salesian charism, 6) To ensure that confreres instill in their identity, the oratorian mindset, 7) To share the Mission of Don Bosco with the lay people is mandatory by attending to their formation and giving them responsibility while the SDB focuses more on the youth contact.

Sports is an activity which cannot be dismissed among the Salesian regardless of the weather. Although it was raining during the day, the participants were able to enjoy the various mini sports activities inside a large hall and shared fraternal affection.

It was a real Salesian atmosphere where the KOR confreres were able to gather together in one place and experience God’s Mercy more closely in the fraternity of sharing.

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