EAO, 14 December 2020 -- Two months after the first online meeting of the EAO Regional Advisory Body of Salesian Cooperators, a second meeting was held on 12 December 2020 with many good results. More than 30 Salesian Cooperators and their SDB-FMA delegates took part in this virtual meeting lasting two hours and moderated by Mr Philip Yu, EAO World Councillor ASC. Provincial leadership of CIN, FIN, FIS, GIA, KOR, THA, TLS and VIE were present, together with the representatives from Mongolia (Fr Paul and 3 ASCs) and Singapore (Mr Lester). The presence of the World Coordinator, Mr Antonio Boccia, the World Administrator, Ms Cinzia Arena and three SDBs from Rome: Br Dominic Nam (World delegate ASC), Fr Joseph Phuoc (EAO SDB Regional) and Fr. Vaclav contributed to quality animation of the meeting.
This EAO Advisory Body meeting was very encouraging and showed that Salesian Cooperators are really growing in many ways:
- The commitment to Pope Francis' Laudato Si started last May and was followed through with a short presentation of the 8th Guideline of the Rector Major (ACG 433): 'Accompany the Young people towards sustainable future' and reporting on personal pledges from each EAO province (e.g Pray for and with Creation, Live more simply and Advocate to protect our common home) cf. https://livelaudatosi.org
- 39th edition of Salesian Family Spirituality Days (Jan 15-17, 2021) on the Rector Major's Strenna 2021 theme 'Moved by Hope' is being prepared for the first online meeting of its kind. The preparations have already started and the 3-level program (Global - Regional - Provincial) is broadly open to all EAO Salesian Cooperators. Br Dominic Nam explained the details, any SF member can register at https://forms.gle/A1ggigBkfkCdwr2S6 . And on Boscolink you can join the preparation process guided by the 'Trio' of Br Nam (RMG), Fr. Mario - SF delegates coordinator EAO (TLS) and Fr Peter Chinh - SC coordinator EAO.
- The exchange about the next (10th) EAO Regional Congress: Due to the emergency until the end of the pandemic restrictions it is quite impossible to host the Congress in any province, but after the pandemic the KOR and THA province showed their availability. Due to the pandemic all World Council members period of service is extended by one year.
- Fr Joseph Phuoc (EAO) introduced the newly appointed EAO Regional delegate for the Salesian Cooperators, Fr. Peter Niphon Sarachit (THA, 64 years), who succeeds Fr Dominic Suphot (2014-2020). We give thanks to Fr Suphot (THA) for his services during the past 6 years. Fr Niphon is at present the Rector of Udonthani community in North East of Thailand and has a long experience of ASC accompaniment, with various EAO Congress participation. Welcome!
- The World Treasurer (Ms Cinzia Arena) based in Southern Italy, updated the EAO participants about the manual, AES (Animating Economic Solidarity, 2018) regarding annual financial contribution, World Council projects, Worldwide solidarity with ASC in need (e.g. Kenya ASC project for the street children). Her talk and ASE (the Italian acronym ed. 2018) are both available on the www.bosco.link website.
- The World Coordinator (Mr Antonio Boccia) before his wishes of Merry Christmas invited all EAO Salesian Cooperators to keep encountering Jesus in the people most in need during this pandemic times.
The vibrant EAO online meeting concluded with mutual 'Merry Christmas' wishes and some participants also signed the EAO-ASC Christmas Card for the 10th successor of Don Bosco.
Related resources for download:
- ASC Economic solidarity (ed. 2018)
- Salesian Family Spirituality Days 2021 (EAO online)
- Rector Major: Guideline n.8 (2020-2026: Sustainable future with the Young)
- ASC - EAO First regional online meeting Oct 4, 2020 (Laudato si)
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