Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 14 January 2017 -- The first Salesian Family Day in Cambodia, held at the Salesian Sisters' Provincial House in Phnom Penh last 14th January, 2017, took the form of a reflective study on the Rector Major's Strenna for 2017 and a "getting-to-know-you" gathering. More than expected, the meeting was attended by 50 participants representing the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), Salesian Sisters or 'Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice' (FMA), Salesian Cooperators (ASC), Past Pupils (EXDB), the Sister-Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (SSIHM, a congregation of nuns founded by the Salesian Bishop Pasotti in Thailand) and candidates of the Volunteers of Don Bosco (VDB).
The morning encounter started with the Holy Mass presided by Fr. Albeiro Rodas, head of the SDB Social Communications sector. Fr. Roel Soto, Salesian Delegate to Cambodia, also concelebrated together with Fr. Gerard Ravasco and Fr. Charles Arun Michael.
The day's speaker, Fr. Albeiro (also called Fr. Somnang) developed the theme "We are Family! Every Home, a School of Life and Love" using video clips and Powerpoint presentations. He started by recalling the Wedding Feast at Cana where Jesus and Mary, representing the Holy Family of Nazareth, came to the aid of another family, that of the newly-weds of Cana. "Each one of us is born to a family," he said, "……. and that sense of family was so strong in Don Bosco that he gave Mama Margarita, his own mother, to his boys."
Fr. Albeiro pointed out that the family values we have to propose and nurture must be suited to the Khmer family and their culture. We cannot globalize or westernize what is inherent in the culture. For instance, when we talk of 'family' in Cambodia and other Asian countries, we are talking of a large group – with many children – or an extended family which usually includes aunts, uncles and grandparents.
The speaker ended his talk by presenting some challenges to the assembly: the human and spiritual values we have to propose to the young and their families the promotion of the values of joy and love and the spirit of hospitality eradication of every form of discrimination against girls and women showing empathy to parents living in situations of sorrow and misery making married couples the animators introducing the family atmosphere of Valdocco and Mornese.
An atmosphere of Salesian joy and friendship, an eagerness to know each other better and a strong sense of belonging could easily be perceived in the participants who gathered together at the audio-visual room of the Don Bosco High School in Teuk Thla. Excitement was heightened when a game, prepared by Sr. My Hanh and the boarders of Tuol Kork, was played and prizes were given away by Sr. Lakana's team. Then followed a hearty lunch prepared by Sr. Florence Soberano and the teachers and students of Food Technology and Hotel Services (Teuk Thla). One could taste the vital ingredient of 'loving service' in every dish and dessert.
Judging from the attendance and participation alone, and the typical Salesian family spirit pervading the air, one could say that the gathering was a success. Sr. Maria Elena Estacio, the CMY Equipe coordinator for the Salesian Family, organized the encounter together with Sr. Giovanna Penello and Sr. Gertrudes Ditching. The assembly agreed to hold a Salesian Family Day in Cambodia, which all other members could attend, on the third Saturday of January each year.
