This first meeting was open to all Salesian teams in Brazil, not only to communication teams. “We understood that it was necessary to involve everyone. It is not only a meeting for communicators but for everyone, because we are all communicators, ” commented, Sister Maike Loes, the National Coordinator for Communication in the Salesian Network Brazil.
The first day explored the subject of “Educational experiences that inspire: the Sacrament of presence in Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello” and began with an opening prayer led by Sister Luzinete Rego Freitas, the Coordinator for Communications in the Nossa Senhora da Amazonia Province, together with the Coordinator for Communications inn the Mary Help of Christians Province, Sao Paulo Brazil, Flávio Nascimento.
The first day also saw the involvement of Fr Gildasio Mendes. He spoke at the event together with the Councillor for Social Communication of the FMA Institute, Sister Maria Ausilia De Siena. Fr Gildasio Mendes, in particular, addressed the question of “Walking the tightrope of things both solid and light, to communicate in a time of great change”. He then presented Don Bosco's communicative dimension for evangelising the young people of his time, an approach that is still relevant in the context of the proposals of the Salesian charism. “He [Don Bosco] was the first and greatest communicator of the young people of his time and of his culture, when he lived in Turin. Don Bosco joins the list of the greatest communicators of humanity”said the General Councillor.
Then before her own address, Sister Maike relayed greetings from Fr Gabriel Romero, Councillor for the America South Cone Region, currently visiting Manaus as they choose their new Provincial. Subsequently, Sister Maria Ausilia De Siena spoke, discussing the notion of “Networking with Mary Mazzarello”. She illustrated for participants Mother Mazzarello's mission with the girls at Mornese.
“As Salesians, we feel doubly enriched by Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello,” said Fr Nivaldo Luiz Pessinatti, male Executive Director of the Salesian Network Brazil.
At the end of the first day, Sister Maike urged everyone to return to Salesian essentials, so that the mission is strengthened every day.
The second and final day of the event was dedicated to the matter of “Digital experiences that fascinate: from relationships to conquest”. After the opening prayer - led by the Communications Coordinators for the Provinces of Brazil Belo Horizonte and Brazil Campo Grande, Igor Gomes da Silva and Euclides Fernandes Brites - it was time for Sister Silvia Aparecida da Silva, the female Executive Director of the Salesian Network Brazil. Sister Aparecida went back over what she had done the previous day and renewed her commitment to transforming the lives of young people through education.
This second day was also a great stage for reflection on educational marketing. Andréa Tavares, founder and CEO of Agência Bear and former student of Santa Inês school in São Paulo, also took part with this in mind. Andréa led a practical session filled with strategies to support Salesian presences in Brazil in their educational marketing activities.
