(ANS – Bangkok) – Since last Tuesday 11 October at the Fortune Grand Mercure Hotel in Bangkok the VII Regional Assembly of the Salesians- Cooperators from the East Asia -Oceania Region is being held and will continue until Saturday 15.

Taking part in the event are 172 Salesians-Cooperators from all the countries in the Region accompanied by 42 Delegates of the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. Among those present are Fr Stjepan Bolkovak SDB, World Delegate for the Association, Sr Maria Trigila FMA, World Delegate for the Association and Carlos Escobar, from Australia, representative of the World Council. Mr Francesco Wichai Srisura, Coordinator of the Salesians-Cooperators in Thailand offically opened the Assembly.

The study of the current rule of life of the ASC, the PAL (Project of Apostolic Life) has been the main topic for study in the Region since the last Congress in Macau in 2008. Each ASC Group should have already  well understood the Salesian Cooperator’s identity, vocation and mission. It is timely that they meet again to discuss and plan for the future so that the ASC Members may be united in their mission among the young in this part of the world.

The theme of the gathering is “Called to be united, let us renew our identity.” The first to arrive in Bangkok were the 42 SDB and FMA Delegates for the Cooperators and the Coordinators of each ASC Provincial Council in each country of the Region for their Leadership Meeting. For two complete days (11 and 12 Oct.) they received input and engaged in discussions on important topics such as  Unity and Identity, Formation of New Members, On-Going Formation and  Economic Solidarity.

For the next three days (13 to 15 Oct.) the 172 Cooperators who have came for the Assembly will review the Project of Life, reflect on its applicability in their lives, discuss the renewal of their identity today, and propose plans on how to be more united among themselves in each province, and in the region itself. There will also be moments of interaction, visits to Don Bosco schools, and excursions to some beautiful places in Bangkok and its vicinity, weather permitting.

Published 13/10/2011