Australia - Salesian Provincial Chapter
Melbourne, Australia - May 2022 - The XXII Provincial Chapter of the Salesian Province of Australia (AUL) began on May 20 at the "Catholic Leadership Centre" in East Melbourne. Fr Chris Ford, SDB, Regulator of the Provincial Chapter, was assisted by some lay people in the preparation, organization, and execution of the assembly, while some Salesians and members of the Salesian Family were able to participate in the Chapter via audiovisual link. The use of the "Teams" program and the center's digital media was a great success in connecting with Australia, Samoa, Fiji, and New Zealand in real-time. On the second and third days of the Chapter, numerous lay Salesian mission collaborators were invited to share their dreams, concerns, and joys in making Don Bosco's dream an ever more beautiful reality in Australia and the Pacific. They actively participated in discussions and presentations on the three major themes - identity, formation, and mission - according to the Rector Major's guidelines. FMA Provincial Sister Louise McKeogh and Sister Delma Lamb, FMA, also participated in this formation process to deepen Salesian identity in missions with young people. The Chapter was also attended by some Salesian Cooperators, youth leaders, and several leading figures from the AUL Province. The Provincial Chapter concluded on May 24 with the celebration of the feast day of Mary Help of Christians, patroness of Australia.