Fr Maria Arokiam based his inaugural talk on the prophetic challenge to the leaders as to how many of us will leave behind a legacy a hundred years from now. He then proceeded to present some of the significant strengths, concerns and collaboration of the Salesian Family in the south Asia region. Each of the congregations then presented a brief statistical report, replete with suggestions for greater efficiency for the common mission.
However, the primary task the gathering took upon itself was to take forward the Mission statement collectively drawn up by the members of the Salesian family during the Congress held in September 2015 at Kolkata. As part of it the group prioritized five focus areas of the whole statement for immediate implementation: Bonding as a family, apostolate for migrants, family ministry, impacting public spheres and finally gain a healthy ecological perspective.
To start a 'migration desk' at houses around which migrants are living, making available spaces for spiritual and recreational facilities for migrants, initiate a career guidance and job placement desk to assist young people settle down well in life, join value-based social campaigns.
There was a serious reflection on our general attachment to buildings and structures, which is proving detrimental to our work with the young people. During the open session, there was an ardent plea from the members of the Salesian family to respect and treat one another as equal partners and relationship to take precedence over and above administrative hiccups.
