By Our Own Correspondent
Melbourne, Australia, May 17 - On the last day of his Oceania the Rector Major spent his time in the vibrant multifaceted and multicultural community of Brunswick, that celebrates 75 years of history during the 2015.
In heart of the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne, it’s the second oldest presence of the province, started in 1939. It comprises the Don Bosco Youth Center (daily Oratory), Hostel for the young adults (students and workers), Assistance to the migrants, Parish and Primary school of St. Margaret, Center of the Salesian Cooperators, OP Shop (Opportunity shop) to support the Salesian mission in the Pacific. Salesian community with eight confreres: Rector, Fr. John M. Murphy and five priests and two Salesian brothers. There are 1000+ weekly participants (half are Christians and half are Muslims) in the Oratory – Youth Center activities (open 6 days and 5 evenings per week), 38 young adults from Australia and oversea (including 5 refugees) living in the Don Bosco Youth Hostel and 3000 parishioners of St. Margaret (600 every Sunday in the Church). The trademark is the multicultural and multi-religious context of Brunswick.
On Ascension Sunday the Rector Major was able to grasp this diversity of cultures in the Church: three main languages (Italian, English and Vietnamese), among the 400 participants aside of the Australian Catholics there were many different migrant groups (Burmese, Italian, Vietnamese, Filipinos, Syrian, Middle East, African, Chilean, European, Latinos and others). “You have a wonderful call - opportunity to turn this rich diversity into one family of God’s people, in communion in Jesus Christ” – this was the main message of the Rector Major at the end of his homily. The Eucharist in St. Margaret Parish that celebrates 100 years, was attended also by some Salesians and Salesian Mission partners who overcame the ‘tyranny of distance’ and flew from Sydney (Rector and two lay directors – Boys Town and St. John Bosco College in Engadine) or Tasmania (Hobart, two confreres). Fr Ángel also acknowledged the presence of many Salesian Family members (FMA sisters, Salesian Cooperators and DB Past Pupils). The liturgy was animated in a wonderful way by the Don Bosco Choir of the parish and Don Bosco Youth Center, Brunswick youth (dream of Don Bosco after the communion). It was a true Catholic – international – multicultural festivity fitting to the Ascension celebration!
After the Eucharist followed a meal offered to all Eucharist participants, with some cultural items performed by the Vietnamese youth group. Before leaving for the Brunswick community, Rector Major was able to share short time with the Vietnamese migrant group the Sunday school children action songs and thanked to all volunteers and FMA sisters who are running this services. In the DB Hostel and DB Youth Center in Brunswick was a short interaction with the Salesians and tour around the Hostel, Public Chapel and the Youth Center, interacting with the young people, Salesians and volunteers.
Twenty two days long journey of the Rector Major to the six countries of Oceania (Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Samoa, New Zealand and Australia) is over! It’s a great gift to the EAO region and especially to its Oceania based Salesians.
Hopefully we will be able to share some immediate fruits of this visit through the AustraLasia link news items – waiting for your feedback! With the best wishes during the Novena to the Pentecost 2015 that coincides also with the Feast of Mary Help of Christians, the main Patroness of Oceania Catholic communities!
