| Chile – Enthronement of Archbishop Ricardo Ezzati, archbishop of Santiago |
| Chile – National Meeting for Teachers of Religion |
The event was led by the Province team for Parishes and Sanctuaries, composed of Fr Bernardo Venegas, Fr Belarmino Sánchez, Fr Patricio Álvarez and Fr Javier Díaz. After the opening prayer there was an address from the Provincial, Fr Leonardo Santibáñez, who recalled the challenges for parishes identified by the Rector Major in Letter 407 and underlined the need to improve administrative practices to promote sustainability. Then the parish priests, curates and rectors worked in groups to complete a questionnaire on the strengths and weaknesses of their communities.
Work continued in the afternoon with the presentation of proposals for the renewal of parishes which had come from the commission set up by the Latin American Bishops’ Conference in 2010. Reflection concluded with an display by Fr Pedro Lastra, Executive Secretary for Youth Ministry, of suggestions made by the Rector Major in his letter on the renewal of Salesian Youth Ministry.
On the second day, Wednesday 4 May, Fr Bernardo Venegas presented the Educational and Pastoral Plan (PEPS) of the Province team for Parishes and Sanctuaries, which had been drawn up with the help of many Salesians. Fr Belarmino Sánchez then showed some tools and resources for carrying out the PEPS, while Fr José Carraro spoke about a Pastoral Bibliography from the Chilean Bishops’ Conference (CECh) and a recently published book from Fr Mario Borello SDB.
The second part of the day was devoted to financial administration and the presentation of the 2011 Action Plan of the team for Parishes and Sanctuaries. Finally the parish priests, curates and rectors met the Archbishop Ricardo Ezzati, Archbishop of Santiago and President of CECh, to discuss the situation of the Church in Chile and his pastoral vision as head of the national Church.
The meeting ended with the Eucharist.
Published 9/5/2011
