Chairing the meeting was Fr Štefan Turanský, Regional Councillor for North Europe who was visiting Benediktbeuern. Taking part in the meeting were the Provincials Fr Rudolf Osanger (AUS), Fr Jozef Claes (BEN), Fr John Horan (IRL) and Fr Josef Grünner (GER); and the Provincial Delegates Fr Paul Formosa (Malta) and Fr Herman Spronck (Holland); as well as Fr Janusz Zapała (Secretary of the Councillor).
The subject for this meeting was: “The Salesian formation of lay people,” and assisting with expert reflections were: Fr Reinhard Gesing, Fr Carlo Loots, Mrs Colette Schaumont and Dr. Martin Lechner. An important contribution was made by Fr Václav Klement, General Councillor for the Missions, who spoke about the Salesian missions in the world with special reference to the “Project for Europe.”
The meeting provided everyone with plenty to think about and the valuable opportunity to share experiences. Among the practical proposals was the commitment of the various Superiors to prepare formation material for use at both local and Province level. The joint responsibility for the educative and pastoral mission by Salesians and lay people was again emphasised so that procedures for faith development according to the Salesian style might be promoted.
On Sunday afternoon there was the chance to get to know the locality. The group visited the Museum of Franz Marc at Kochel, met the parish priest of Walchensee, Fr Walter Schmidt, and visited the youth reception centre at Zwergern.
In conclusion Fr Štefan Turanský thanked the host Provincial Fr Josef Grünner, the Provincial Secretary Fr Christian Liebenstein and the Rector of Benediktbeuren, Fr Claudius Amann.
Publishedl 5/11/2009
