Don Bosco community celebrates Salesian mission day

MEMBERS of the Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands Salesian Community of Don Bosco celebrated Salesian Mission Day at Don Bosco Technological Institute (DBTI) in Port Moresby. According to a statement from the Catholic Bishop’s Conference (CBC) the event was attended by Salesians, aspirants, FMA Sisters, Caritas Sisters of Jesus, Association of Salesian cooperators, Association of Mary Help of Christians members and past pupils.  CBC said Sr Carmencita Rodriguez, FMA, the acting provincial delegate for Salesian family had proposed idea to celebrate the day.
Don Bosco Technical Secondary School Rector Fr Pedro Sachitula, SDB, presented the theme and gave a brief background of the day preceded by a performance by DBTS students. In the second part of the day’s programme, Fr Srimal Priyanga Silva, SDB, introduced three videos showing solidarity projects being done by Salesians in Africa, Asia and other parts of the world. The Salesian members discussed possible initiatives that could be done in order to help in constructing a new building, supply medicines, and medical equipment for the Don Bosco Salesian Centre in Gumbo, South Sudan run by the Caritas Sisters of Jesus. The half-day event started with a prayer using the songs of Taize animated by the DBTS mission group and its animators Rica Lavilla and Br Reto Werner, SDB. A Lectio Divina followed which was facilitated by Fr Greg Bicomong, SDB. The participants reflected on the Gospel of Luke 6:27-37, a passage suggested by the mission department in Rome as it highlighted the spirit of forgiveness, solidarity, and generous giving, particularly at this time of the pandemic.