(ANS – Auckland) – By 1.30 in the morning on 12 May, 2015 some of the parishioners of Avondale and Massey and the Salesians led by Fr. Gregory Chambers provincial and Fr. Mathew Vadakkevettukuzhiyil Parish Priest, awaited with great excitement the arrival of the Rector Major for the first time to the Land of the Long White Cloud as named by Kupe, the ancestor of the Polynesians in the early 1300’s. On his arrival he was greeted with welcome songs, garlands and bouquets. The sweet melody “Don Bosco be with us” (Don Bosco Ritorna a Noi) sung by the hosts added much charm to the gathering.

After a few hours of rest, Rector Major and his team consisting of Fr. Horacio López, Personal Secretary, and Fr. Václav Klement, Regional Councillor for East Asia Oceania, visited St. Paul’s pre-school, a nursery run by the Dominican Sisters.

After lunch Fr. Ángel proceeded to visit St. Paul’s Primary school, a Parish School of St. Paul in Massey where he was given a traditional welcome. Impressed by the Maori cultural presentation he said, “You have a glorious cultural heritage.  Value it, cherish it and promote it.”

In the afternoon, Fr. Ángel shared with the confreres information about the Salesian world as well as the challenges that the congregation faces and matters regarding apostolate in the Pacific. The sharing continued for more than two hours. At 6 PM during the Eucharistic celebration, based on the readings of the day Rector Major shared with the people some insights on Christian community living in a multicultural context. The day came to an end with a fraternal meal together with the parishioners during which dances and songs in Samoan, Tongan, Filipino, Burmese and other linguistic groups were showcased.

On the second day (May 13) there has been a very lively exchange during the courtesy visit of Fr. Ángel to Auckland Bishop Patrick Dunn. Bishop Pat, who does admire Don Bosco from his childhood, is happy to help the first Salesians in solid foundation of the Salesian Charism in this country. He shared with Rector Major his love and respect for the Saint of the Young people, for Pope Francis and his strong call for pastoral conversion, as well the different hope and struggles of his diocese. It was one of the high points of the three weeks long visit of RM to the six countries of Oceania.

Bishop Dunn said: “I’m delighted to welcome Fr. Ángel Fernandez Artime, SDB – Rector Major to the Diocese of Auckland … The Salesian presence in West Auckland at Massey and Avondale brings the beautiful charism of St. John Bosco to us who live very literally at ‘the end of the earth’”.

Indeed Bishop Pat has chosen for us the most popular and most Pacific islanders populated West Auckland place. Avondale and Massey are not very far from each other. The huge percentage of young people in both parishes and the astonishing variety of ethnic background is a guarantee of great future for the hardworking and youth loving Salesians of different origins working together.

Published 13/05/2015