22 December 2021
One year is slowly coming to an end. For the Filipinos it was 500th Jubilee Year of Evangelization, for the Salesian Family the 180th year of the Oratory, for the Past Pupils the conclusion to the 150th anniversary of their Association. Definitely for all of us it was one of the most challenging years of recent history. Why do we bring the BEST of the 2021 in the EAO?
By highlighting 'the best' it becomes an invitation give thanks to God for the most important fruits throughout the whole Region. We can give thanks for the many fruits of inter-provincial collaboration and raise awareness of results that are perhaps less well known in each corner of our vast and dynamic region from Samoa to Pakistan, from Mongolia to Tasmania. Indeed we are blessed so much and the good Lord continues to do great things through his small Salesian Family in this part of the world.
1 – first: Ongoing joint solidarity during the pandemic
During the whole year 2021 we witnessed wonderful concrete solidarity with many people suffering due to the pandemic, e.g. our prenovices (MYM), joint groups of the Salesian Family (THA) and so many other many creative activities in all 12 EAO provinces.
2 – second: First EAO Salesian Family Spirituality Days
The ever first Salesian Family Spirituality Days online (since 1973 the 39th edition) also at an EAO level; a two-day program with 1100 participants from 15 SF groups. Outstanding cooperation (translators to 8 languages and IT experts, Young Past Pupils GEX) that also continued for other SF group online events in 2021.
3 – third: Two Filipino Past Pupils elected as World Councilors (Don Bosco-FMA)
The Past Pupils organized their first Regional Congress Online instead of the planned 12th Tokyo 2020 December event (25-26 June). The 6th World Confederation Congress (26-28 November) elected the first EAO Past Pupil of Don Bosco, (GEX) Niel Evangelista as regional councilor for Asia-Oceania. And during the 7th FMA Past Pupils World Congress online (26 July- 2 August) one Filipina, Ms. Kathleen Iza Pagkalinawan, was elected as the Regional Councilor for Asia.
4 – fourth: Don Bosco Green Alliance Convener from FIN
Don Bosco Green Alliance (DBGA) is growing in the region, and at present there are already 118 EAO registered members from all 12 provinces and 4 delegations. Also the 2nd DBGA Convener of this world-wide movement comes from the EAO: Fr Antonio Molavin (FIN) is now the missionary animation delegate and parish priest-rector from Manila.
5 – fifth: 152nd Salesian Missionary Expedition with 9 EAO members
Among the 152nd Salesian Expedition members are 9 EAO new missionaries: 7 practical trainees from Vietnam and 2 Salesian priests from FIN (38% of 24 SDB).
6 – sixth: Worldwide solidarity with the suffering people of Myanmar
After the Myanmar military coup (February 1) we witnessed not only very lively and creative EAO regional solidarity (prayer and help) but also a world-wide SYM prayer movement inspired by the SDB General Councilor for Youth Ministry.
7 – seventh: Caritas Sisters General Chapter concludes at Valdocco
The Caritas Sisters of Jesus concluded their 18th General Chapter, held for the first time in Italy (Ariccia) with the Eucharist at Valdocco (Turin) celebrated by the Rector Major. A new Superior General, Sr Emiliana Park from Korea (2021-2027) was elected as Mother General.
8 – eighth: FMA three General Councilors from EAO region
24th FMA General Chapter (Rome, Sept-November) elected three EAO sisters to the General Council (Youth Ministry: Sr Runita Borja, FIL; Visiting councilors: Sr Paola Battagliola, TIN and Sr Maria Assunta Inoue, GIA).
9 – ninth: Blooming of EAO online formation and meetings
Surely 2021 was the most abundant year so far with hundreds of EAO online meetings at local, province or regional level: EAO Provincials, all 6 charismatic sector delegates meetings, online formation courses (Salesianity, Social Communication, Formation of formators, New Rectors, Past Pupil Delegates) and the Salesian Family events.
10 – tenth: Blessed with new Salesian consecrated vocations
In 2021 there are 25 new novices in Timor Leste, 15 in Vietnam, 11 in Thailand, 8 in Myanmar 6 in Korea (coming soon) and a novice from Japan, Pakistan and Philippines North. Due to the pandemic our candidates from Pakistan are in Africa: 4 prenovices in Malawi and one novice in Ghana and temporary novitiate was established in FIN-Sandor community and Pyin-Oo-Lwin in MYM. We give thanks also for all newly professed SDB, FMA and other SF sisters, for newly perpetually professed Salesian Brothers and newly ordained Salesian priests and Deacons in 2021.
11 – eleventh: Indonesia-Flores island welcomes the first Salesian community
This new mission frontier was finally open after lengthy exploration and discernment. The first SDB community was established in Flores Island (Lahuan Bajo, Ruteng diocese).
12th - twelfth: Two new EAO regional sector coordinators
With the mostly online EAO sector meetings, the work of the coordinators is little bit more demanding. Three new confreres are serving the region: Fr. Anthony Nguyen Ngoc (Formation sector, AUL) and Fr. Ambrose Pereira (social communication sector, PGS)
13th - thirteenth: ADMA 2nd EAO Regional Congress
The second EAO regional ADMA Congress (first online) was held in September with many results after the 2010 first ever EAO Congress: First EAO ADMA Coordinator, Fr Godofredo Atienza (FIS), ADMA social media in 8 languages (FB and YouTube channels) and many newly launched ADMA centers (Indonesia, Solomon Islands) and many newly involved SDB and FMA spiritual animators.
14 - fourteenth: New Salesian Bulletin – 12th EAO language edition
During the last twelve months another edition of the Salesian Bulletin was launched, this time in Burmese (MYM), in digital form. After China (CIN), Australia-Pacific (AUL), Thai (THA), Philippines (FIN-FIS), Japan (GIA), Korean (KOR), Vietnamese (VIE), Khmer (Cambodia-THA), Papua New Guinea-Solomon Islands (PGS), Indonesian (INA) and Tetun (Timo Leste-TLS) this is the 12th EAO edition.
15 – fifteenth: Three new SDB provincials
Three new provincials were installed in the EAO this year: FIS (Philippines South – Pakistan) Fr Fidel Orendain, MYM (Myanmar) Fr Bosco Zeya Aung and VIE (Vietnam-Mongolia) Fr Barnaba Phong. All of them took part in the new provincial course in Rome, Sacro Cuore,in December 2021.
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