VIE province report: The most numerous province of ASC in the EAO region

By Mr. Peter Le Thanh Bao, ASC
Viet Nam ASC Provincial coordinator

HCM City, Vietnam, 2 May 2017 -- The Association of Salesian Cooperators in Vietnam was founded in 1995. At present there are 586 promised members (80 of them promised during last 3 years) and 120 Aspirants – all living in 18 local Centers (1 Center accompanied by the FMA and 16 Centeres accompanied by the SDB). The average age of our member is 53, with one new Center established two years ago.

Our provincial council is meeting regularly and is committed to the animation and governance of the province. Last February 2015 we divided our Province into 4 zones (regions) for the sake of more effective organization, so we are able to follow up more closely our centers. There are 4 meeting of the Council every year and our promise is held in October of each year.

At the local level we have two meetings every month in 4 centers (Eucharist, recollection, formation, sharing about out apostolic activities and planning. Formation encounters are held monthly in each center: we study the PAL, the SF Charter of Identity, Strenna of the Rector Major and Preventive system of Don Bosco.

Our main apostolic activities: Catechism and educating to the faith, Group animation and the Youth and Family movement; Cooperation with the education centers and schools, Social work and service to the poor; cooperation in fostering the social communication; Vocation ministry and service in our parishes (Council, Association or Zone leaders) and Witness of faith among the non-Christians and in the civil society.

The main income is from the fund which is raised by all members (240.000 VIE dong per year, approximately 12 USD). In addition, we also have extra incomes which are from the generosity of the members in case of apostolic needs. Every member of the local centers contributes 60.000 dong per year (approximately 3 USD) to the income of the Provincial committee. We also have a savings bank for the Provincial committee. This amount of money is used for the development of the association. The major expenditures of the local centers include the money for the deceased members, for the deceased members’ parents, for the sick members, for the Feast day of the Salesians, for the Feast day of the Salesian communities, for the expenditures of the charitable work.

During the DB 200 we focused on the formation of our candidates and promise Mass for 35 candidates. We have develop new apostolic works such as giving gifts to the poor youth in remote areas. We share our love for the social centers where the abandoned children, the sick and the metal illness patients are raised.

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