NEWS PHOTOS
Panjim, India - January 2023 - The Youth Ministry (YM) of the Salesian Province "St. Joseph Vaz" of India-Panjim (INP) held its first meeting last Saturday, January 14, 2023. It was attended by a total of 15 people: the Heads of the four YM Dimensions and those of the Commissions and Sectors and Services of the Province, who gathered for more than four hours at the Provincial House in Odxel, Goa, to understand and initiate the processes of YM relationship and functioning. Encouraged by INP Provincial Fr. Clive Telles, the gathering delved into the Framework for Youth Ministry and the Educational-Pastoral Model as presented by the General Counselor for YM, Fr. Miguel Angel Garcia Morcuende, in his book, "Education is a Matter of Hearts." In this way, the dialogue among all allowed an evaluation of the current Salesian YM of the Province in comparison with the proposal of the Congregation's "Educational-Pastoral Model"; and there was also no lack of time for sharing the different experiences of those present in their respective areas of YM work. The meeting, opened and closed by the interventions of its Vicar, Fr. Banzelao Teixeira, increased in everyone the awareness of the need to collaborate to build networks and tools for animation, starting from the Salesian Educational Pastoral Plan, and to realize in this way the process of planning and unitary advancement of the Province in this field.
Lisbon, Portugal - January 2023 - A meeting of Salesian formators from the Provinces of Spain and Portugal, who are dedicated to formation in the various Provincial Commissions or care for Salesians in formation in the stages of post-novitiate, theologate, and internship, was held from January 13 to 15. The event brought together some 15 formators, led by the Delegates for Formation of the three Provinces: Fr. Fernando Miranda (SMX), Fr. Juan José Bartolomé (SSM), and Fr. João Chaves (POR). A number of themes were explored during the days including: the Director's Interview, Spiritual Accompaniment, and Admissions - some Guidelines and Orientations, by Fr. Ivo Coelho, General Councilor for Formation, from the Acts of the General Council (ACG) 438; "A Formation for and in Mission" and "The Salesian Vocational Orientation Experience. Formation Itinerary" (ACG 438), by Fr. Miguel Angel García Morcuende, General Councilor for Youth Ministry.
Barquisimeto, Venezuela - January 2023 - On January 11 and 12 in the city of Barquisimeto, State of Lara, the Vocational Expo of the various Congregations and Religious Institutes was held. The goal of the event is to acquaint and bring young people closer to the charisms of the Church by inviting them to follow in the footsteps of Christ. Fr. Jorge Bastidas, SDB, Delegate for Youth Ministry of the Salesian Province of Venezuela (VEN), participated in the Vocation Expo with a group of young people and various members of the Salesian Family: Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sisters of the Divine Savior, Salesian Cooperators, and a group of lay people who animate Salesian works. Hundreds of young people participated in the event with artistic moments, prayer, and Eucharistic celebrations.
Acireale, Italy - January 2023 - From January 3 to 5, the teenagers of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) of Sicily had the opportunity to confront each other, have fun and listen to the formative meetings proposed by the animating team, during an animator camp called "Meeting." The main themes were holiness, the importance of discovering oneself, and the courage to really be oneself. On the first day, following a moment of animation and launching of the theme, the first formative meeting began, led by Fr. Marco Piana, on the theme of Being, in which the participants deepened the theme of Holiness and reflected on their own identity by confronting each other in small groups. On the second day, there were two formative meetings. The first, led by Fr. Dario Spinella, on the theme of Being With, the importance of the Other; the second led by Salesian Cooperator, Angela Caradonna, on the theme of Being For, in light of the Word of God, the words of Pope Francis and Salesian Youth Spirituality. The first two days ended with discussions in groups on the issues addressed, reciting vespers prayers and experiencing moments of fraternity together with the coordinators, listening to testimonies from some young people, and participating in the "holiness workshop." On the third day, the team members guided the young people to build their own "model" of holiness by comparing themselves with the lives of the saints and their qualities. The Meeting concluded with the Eucharistic Celebration, in the presence of Fr. Giovanni D'Andrea, Superior of the Salesian Province of Sicily.