(ANS – Hong Kong) – Between 16 and 18 March in Hong Kong there were two events which strengthened the presence of the Salesian spirit: a retreat for the lay personnel of the Salesian schools and the promise of the new Salesians-Cooperators.

On Friday and Saturday 16 and 17 March, the principals and supervisors  of the Salesian schools in Hong Kong and Macao had a weekend spiritual retreat. The event gave the staff members – not all Christians - the opportunity  to reflect of the influence they have on the young and the importance of guiding them well.

Fr Simon Lam, Provincial of China, pointed out that not only Christians were  qualified to evangelise and lead others to God; non-Christian educators, possessing a Christian merciful heart and practising Jesus’ spirit are also fulfilling the mission of education and evangelisation. As Don Bosco used to say, the Provincial added: “When you save others, you yourselves are also being saved.”

Fr Lam then observed that it was important  to take care also of themselves and to have  a strong interior life as a support, to avoid burn-out in their  responsibilities for the young. The solution he suggested was to draw on a never dried-up fountain..

Fr. Lam provided 4 directives for acquiring holiness and doing ordinary things with extraordinary motivation; doing everything joyfully, aware of God’s d support; having the pillars of the Eucharist and of Mary; praying with short ejaculations frequently to relate everything to God; the fourth having a sense of mission which leads to doing one’s best to save everyone.

During the final sharing session, participants indicated that they could feel the kind concern of the Salesian Society in organizing such a retreat time for them, with enriching content and a chance to rest, and experience the support and power of the community and share with each other the same mission as educators.

The second event on Sunday 18, was the taking of the promise by 27 new Salesian Cooperators from the Hong Kong Centre.

Published 26/03/2012