Readers of austraLasia will be aware that Fr Klement is a frequent contributor to this news service, but would perhaps be unaware that he was there at the very moment of its founding (when he was the Superior of the Korea Vice-province at the time) in Batulao, The Philippines, 26 years ago. The austraLasia team congratulates him, and looks forward to a continued relationship with this outstanding Salesian communicator.

       Johannesburg, Bosco Youth Centre, 16 March 2023 -- 15 March, the final day of the 2022-2023 Extraordinary Visitation of AFM Vice-province (South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini) also saw the installation of the new superior at Bosco Youth Centre, Walkerville, Johannesburg, Fr Vaclav Klement.

       During two morning sessions, Fr Alphonse Owoudou, General Councillor for the Africa-Madagascar Region, shared his insight and recommendations after visiting all 7 communities in 3 countries of the Blessed Michael Rua Vice-province.

       Presenting the Road Map of the Rector Major for the newly appointed Superior, Fr Vaclav Klement and his Council for next 6 years 2023-2029, Fr Alphonse underlined many positive charismatic realities and some concrete ways for the charismatic relaunching of the Vice-province.

       AFM Salesians are called to share a long tradition of local missionary volunteers and other creative ways of the youth ministry with the other 13 African provinces.

       At the same time the Regional Councillor encouraged the confreres present to build more family spirit and a more radical way of religious life, and especially to strengthen their sense of belonging to one provincial community.

       After two morning session with the provincial council and an assembly or rectors and confreres, the evening Eucharist followed with the profession of faith by Fr Vaclav and thanksgiving to the outgoing superior, Fr Joy Sebastian.

       In his homily to the 50 members of the Salesian Family and young people, Fr Alphonse traced the recent path of the AFM Vice-province, enlightened with faith and Salesian charismatic renewal.

       The last part of this festive day was the the meal offered to all participants and followed by the family joyful academy with contributions from all SF groups and the lay volunteers. All present were grateful for the wonderful hospitality of Walkerville community (Rector Fr Jonathan Daniels) with their SDB, lay mission partners and volunteers.

       Fr Alphonse Owoudou departed next day for his first visit to the Madagascar Vice-province with the promise that he would soon send a special missionary appeal to the 13 provinces in the Africa Madagascar region to help the AFM Vice-province at this moment of its history.

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