Jakarta, Indonesia, 30 December 2022 -- The steady drizzle in the morning did not thwart the members of the Salesian Family of INA Province to proceed with their scheduled Salesian Family Christmas Gathering, which was also their annual Salesian Family Day, as commended in article 46 of the Charter of the Charismatic Identity of the Salesian Family of Don Bosco. It was a big day for Gratitude and there is no way to give thanks to God more befitting than with a well-prepared Eucharistic Celebration, concelebrated by some 20 priests representing all our eight Salesian presences in the Province. As it has already been our tradition, the Salesian Family Day is also an occassion to acknowledge and appreciate the jubilarians of the year. This time we celebrated the 25 years of Salesian Religious Life of Fr Onny Bonifacio and Fr Tarsisius Trianto, as well as the 25 years of Presbyteral Ordination of Fr Yohanes Boedirahardjo and Fr Andre Delimarta. Fr Onny was the main celebrant during the Mass, and drawing inspiration from the Strenna 2023 as well as the Gospel of the day on Simeon's testimony to the Light, reminded all of the calling as members of the Salesian Family to be as yeast and light in our families and in society. We prayed for the intentions of the jubilarians as well as for our beloved Rector Major, the successor of Don Bosco, the Founder and Center of the Salesian Family.
After the Mass we proceeded to the Mazzarelo multi-purpose hall where the different groups of the Salesian Family had an opportunity to showcase their talents and capabilities. It was about three hours of fun, appreciation and laughter! As somebody said, family is like music, some high notes, some low notes, but always a beautiful song! The atmosphere was indeed familiar, where we got to know one another a little bit better through sharing, interaction and communication. No family event is without a hearty meal, and THAT, interspersed with exchange of gifts and a mind-boggling quiz with mostly Salesian trivia, capped the day.
Fr Provincial, in his brief address, reminded us of the most important element of our gathering, which is our Presence... and in fact IT is what really matters because that is how we become as yeast wherever we are, as SDB, FMA, Salesian Cooperator, ADMA, VDB and coming soon, as ALUMNI of our schools and establishments. All's well that ends well, as once more we greeted one another "Merry Christmas," and expressed our eagerness to look forward to the next Salesian Family Day. But of course, before that, everyone was reminded and invited to stay tuned to the upcoming Salesian Family Spirituality Days which are just a few weeks away in the month of January. Until then, we are always grateful to be a part of this beautiful Salesian Family, nay the great Salesian Movement!
