AUSTRALIA
ANNUAL REFLECTION WEEKEND – ‘Living the Life and Spirit of the SDC’
The Annual Reflection Weekend (ARW) for SDC Members in the Australian Region for the year 2002 was held at ‘Goyura’,
Salesian Centre, Lysterfield. ‘Goyura’ is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘The Mountain of Light’.
The weekend was well attended by participants from each state. The presence of young people at the ARW was particularly significant and encouraging for all. Young people were present from
Melbourne and Brisbane.
Tonio Caruana and John Micallef, members from the Central House, conducted the weekend. We were all particularly challenged and asked to review our processes during the weekend. The theme ‘Living
the Life and Spirit of the SDC’ was very timely in the light of the imminent promulgation of the new ‘Rule of Life’ for the Members of the SDC.
After settling in on Friday night and the usual greetings and welcome, the weekend began with ‘Prayer Around the Cross’
based on the Friday night service that is held in every SDC centre around the globe. This moment struck a cord with everyone for it reinforced our unity in faith on reflecting on the passion of Jesus Christ.
On Saturday evening, Tonio and John anointed each present with the oil of chrism with the words to each: “Be strengthened to love and work, to speak and act in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.” This again reaffirmed our unity in mind and in mission.
Yearly at the ARW, an all-night vigil in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament is held to pray in earnest for some particular need. This year we prayed that we would all embrace in truth the spirit
of the SDC. Historically we also pray for vocations to the SDC life during this evening. This evening is akin to the vigils of prayer conducted by Father George Preca on the eve of the Feast of St Michael; the
first being held in 1924 at the Carmelite Convent in Mdina, Malta.
During the weekend, Tonio and John shared their own personal journey on their pathways to discovery in the life as Members of the SDC. Their humour, wit and sense of integrity was well received.
During the weekend, some were challenged, some experienced reconciliation and others were led into a time of deep emotional healing.
This was truly a blessed and moving Reflection weekend, one that we had been preparing and praying for two years. The fruit of this saturation was evident.
Peter Judge sdc
Regional Secretary - Australia
Sydney
Saturday 24th August 2002 was a joyful occasion when five SDC Members were present for
the Solemn Mass that Fr Lawrence Cauchi celebrated as thanksgiving for his 25th Anniversary of his
Ordination to the Priesthood. Fr Lawrence is the brother of SDC Member, Joseph Cauchi, who is presently Superior of Rooty Hill Centre in Sydney.
Before entering the seminary for his studies, Fr Lawrence used to attend as a candidate at Broadway Centre, also in Sydney. At present, Fr Lawrence is parish priest at Campsie, which is relatively
far from our Centres, yet he often visits us and he is always ready to help when we ask for his assistance.
George Felice sdc
Rooty Hill – Australia
Brixton
SDC Member Roderick Spiteri was transferred from B’Kara I Centre in Malta to that of Brixton, London. He will be helping Superior John Camilleri and Louis Borg.
The number of children registering to attend our catechism classes this year is very encouraging. In fact, 80 children registered to start the First Holy Communion course, 35 registered for the
First Year Confirmation group and another 30 are attending the Second Year Confirmation group. The Sunday group is also strong while the post-Confirmation group still needs to solidify itself.
Now that the Summer holidays are so close, our Members organized a BBQ for all the youths who attend formation classes at Corpus Christi club. Sessions will now resume in September, God willing.
SUDAN
El Obeid
Headmaster Paul Farrugia sent us some statistics for the scholastic year 2002-2003. At present, there is a total number of 267 pupils studying at Comboni School, El Obeid. 83 and 67 are in their
last two years of their Primary education, i.e. 7th and 8th year
respectively. In the First Senior we have 50 pupils, in the Second senior 41 while in the final year we have 26. The Senior group can follow either an academic or a science course. Paul Aquilina and Joe
Aquilina are also involved in the school administration while they give also a helping hand in all extra curricular activities. One such activity was held in September, this was a picnic for the school staff.