Open to the young and lay mission partners: 

EAO Provincial meeting - Day 5

By Our Own Correspondent

Dili, Timor Leste, 9 March 2018 -- The last day of the annual EAO meeting of the provincials was dedicated to the Salesian Missions and concrete missionary collaboration, solidarity, exchange and mutual help among the 11 provinces (with 6 delegations). In the morning homily Fr. Joseph Quang (VIE) gave thanks to God for the missionary generosity of so many young Vietnamese confreres (more than 120 out of Vietnam).

Two morning sessions were dedicated to the missionary animation and formation, with two inputs - one by Fr. Alfred Maravilla (PGS) about Initial proclamation of Jesus Christ preceded by small group sharing. Then Fr. Manuel Fraile (ITM), one of the senior missionaries in Timor Leste and provincial delegate for the missionary animation, shared the motivations and animation dynamics of annual Salesian Mission Day celebrated in Dili, Timor Leste since 2016. All participants enjoyed to watch the videos of the SMD 2018 about 'Whispering the Gospel' in Asia (USB with all 7 videos available).

First session in the afternoon was focused on the accompaniment of provincial Delegations, since the EAO region has the highest numbers of them in the whole Congregation. Road Map, Statutes, provincial visitations, animation and financial sustainability, PDO establishment and formation of personnel were the main emerging topics.

Before the last thankgsgiving after the last session of the whole 2018 EAO provincials meeting was a good time to share about some common points of interest like a new mission in Kuching, Malaysia (FIN), about new formation house in Taipei (CIN) and other mission and formation related issues.

After a heartfelt thanksgiving to Fr. Apolinario Neto (ITM Superior) all provincials and delegates got a special gift of Cafe Timor!

Last good night talk was shared by Fr. Peter Kim (KOR) and last supper in the Don Bosco Gym (VTC Don Bosco Comoro) was lively animated by the SYM members with traditional and modern dances, drama about the Timor Leste history and songs. Indeed a memorable first EAO regional meeting in Timor Leste. Presence of many Timorese Past Pupils (including many GEX), Salesian Cooperators (including young), FMA sisters and VTC students made this last evening really an unforgettable experience. As already Timorese tradition, at the end all participants were involved as dancing circles.

The venue of 2019 EAO provincial meeting is Seoul (KOR) on March 4-8 in the provincial house.

Some useful animation materials shared during the encounter are available on the Boscolink.

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