| Japan – Fr Mickey and the value of surprise |
| RMG – Appointment of the new Superior of Japan |
| Japan – The rebirth of ADMA |
| Japan– Mission Day and DBVG Reporting Day |
The event began with a greeting from the Provincial, Fr Aldo Cipriani, followed by an Presentation showing the 20 years of DBVG`s history. its founder, Bishop Francis Mizobe Osamu, bishop emeritus of Takamatsu, was unable to be present but `appeared` via a video recording. Moderated by Fr Mickey Muramatsu, provincial secretary, a round-table conference took place between three young volunteers and Fr Achille Loro Piana, who was responsible for the DBVG group fro 9 years of its history.
The Mass was well prepared and in his homily, Fr Daniel Torigoe, Principal of Salesian High School,Yokohama, kept the group happy telling of his adventures with the volunteers in Cebu and Mindanao (Philippines) during the 1990s.
And of course there was a delicious fraternal agape for the young volunteers many of whom had not seen each other again over the years. It was a typically Salesian festive occasion.
Over the 20 years, 229 youth and 39 leaders have taken part at least once (many more often) as part of a good 40 volunteer groups especially in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and the Philippines.
One feature of the DBVG is that its members, most of them not baptised, carry out a volunteer experience in a Christian and Salesian context, an evangelising experience which allows them to come into contact with Jesus and his teachings.
Published 31/05/2011
