During the meeting the “Strategic Plan of the World Confederation of the Past Pupils” and the “School Leader Project” for the Region which will start next year were presented. Aimed at re-launching the Don Bosco Past Pupils’ Association especially in the Interamerican Region, the initiative consists in offering Provincial Delegates material to animate and the means and strategies to create local and Provincial Unions.
“For us the greatest danger is not that the objective is too high and unattainable but that it is too low and easily attained,” Fr Jose Pastor Ramirez, World Delegate, said at the opening of the Congress referring to the challenges which emerged in the discussions such as how to strengthen the sense of belonging to the Church, undertake a systematic process of study and assimilation of the life of Don Bosco and organise the Federation at National or Provincial level.
On the first day some Past Pupils who had made a significant contribution to Society - professional, moral or ethical - were recognised and honoured. Among these were Dr. José Rafael Vargas, Senator for the Province of Espaillat; Dr. Adriano Sánchez Roz, Senator for the Province of Elías Piña; Major General Carlos Rivera, Chief of Staff of the National Armed Forces. Some Salesians were also honoured for their work with young people in the Dominican Republic
Among the guests invited to the Congress were: Julio Castellanos, World Vice President of the Don Bosco Past Pupils Association; Mr. Ángel Gudiña, World Vice President of the Young Past Pupils (Gex); Miss Luisa Bertiato, Italian Vice President of Gex; Fr Salvador Romero, Provincial Delegate for the Antilles.
The meeting ended with Mass at which Fr Victor Pichardo, Provincial of the Salesians of the Antilles presided. He invited those present to face up to the challenges which had emerged from the Congress and emphasised the attention they should give to young Past Pupils, University students who cannot attend Salesian centres.
Published 30/06/2011
