Special year of listening - 2018

By Fr. Vaclav Klement, SDB

EAO, 1 January 2018 -- Meanwhile we celebrate the year 2018 (Anno Domini – AD), the Buddhist Calendar writes year 2562, the Islamic Calendar year 1439, the Chinese calendar 4715, the Korean calendar 4351, the Javanese calendar 1951 and in the East Asia region this year is celebrated as the ‘Dog Year’ – Lunar New Year on February 18.

The United Nations has not declared the 2018 as the International Year for any specific topic. The Catholic Church is preparing for another Synod of Bishops in October, this time focused on the Young people: 'Young people, Faith and Vocation Discernment'.

As every New Year timetable also AD 2018 offers in the Congregation many occasions for common growth of the Salesian Charism thanks to the dynamics of mutual sharing and exchange. The 2018 Strenna of the Rector Major ‘Let’s cultivate the art of listening and of accompaniment’ help us to live more with the heart of Don Bosco.

The Salesian Mission Day 2018 (SMD) is focused this time on Initial Proclamation of Jesus in Asia: ‘Whispering the Gospel’. In a special way we are invited to explore the opportunity of our Vocation Training Centers for the initial proclamation.

We are glad to welcome again the Rector Major in another 4 countries of our Region:

• January 30 - February 7 in ITM vice-province (Timor Leste - Indonesia)
• November 8 -12 in GIA province (Japan)
• November 13 – 17 in KOR province (Korea)

We are glad to share the wisdom with many General Councilor for the sectors:

• Mar 1-4: KOR, Seoul (EAO Provincial Economers with Br. Jean Paul Muller)
• Mar 5-9: ITM, Dili (EAO Provincials - Delegation Superiors with EAO Councilor)
• Aug 9-12: VIE, K’Long (EAO Salesian Brothers with Br. Jean Paul, Fr. Ivo, EAO)
• Aug 18-20: MYM, Anisakan (EAO Salesian Family delegates with Fr. Eusebio)
• Nov 13-16: THA (EAO Youth Ministry delegates with Fr. Fabio Attard)
• Nov 15-18: GIA (EAO Formation delegates with Fr. Ivo Coelho)
• Nov 20-22: THA - Cambodia (EAO Missionary animation delegates with Fr. Guillermo)

Two provinces will benefit from the animation of Extraordinary Visitation:

• Feb 7 – May 10: ITM vice-province (Indonesia – Timor Leste)
• Aug 25 – Oct 31: THA province (Thailand – Cambodia – Laos)

There will be consultation for a new Provincial:

• May 24-30 (CIN province: Hong Kong – Macau - Taiwan)
• June 25-26 (INA vice-province: Indonesia)
• Nov 1-7 (KOR province: Korea)

There are precious ongoing formation occasions for specific groups of confreres:

• Jan 18-21: Torino (RMG) – Salesian Family Spirituality Days (36th edition)
• Mar 14-18: Vietnam (VIE) VDB & CDB Ecclesiastic Assistants formation
• Apr 24-May 13: Manila – Parañaque (FIN) Salesianity teachers course (II)
• May 1 – 7: Rome (RMG) – New Provincial Economers Course
• June 11-24: Rome (RMG) – New Provincials course (AUL and PGS)
• Aug 18-20: Anisakan (MYM) EAO Salesian family delegates formation
• Aug 22: Manila (FIN) EAO Sector Coordinators meeting (EAO regional councilor)
• Aug 23: Parañaque (FIN) Curatorium meeting; Blessing of Sandor new house
• Sep 3-29: Rome – Torino: New missionary course + 149th missionary expedition
• Sep 23-Oct 1: Valdocco – Torino: Mid-term provincial meet (FIS,GIA,MYM,VIE)
• Oct 25-28: Rome – World Congress of the Salesian Cooperators (ASC)
• Nov 13-16: Hua Hin (THA) - Formation of Youth Ministry delegates (EAO)
• Nov 15-18: Yamanaka - Tokyo (GIA) Formation of Formation delegates (EAO)
• Nov 20-23: Yamanaka – Tokyo (GIA) – Formation of formators (EAO)
• Nov 20-22: Phnom Penh (THA-Cambodia) Mission delegates formation (EAO)
• Nov 25-29: Hong Kong (CIN) – New Rectors Formation (EAO)

Happy and Joyful New Year 2018!

Related resources:

• Salesian Liturgical Calendar 2018

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