(ANS - Madrid) - At the end of last month two meetings were held in the Spanish capital to reflect on Salesian Youth Ministry.

Over the weekend of 19-20 September, at El Plantio in Madrid, the third biennial congress on Youth Ministry was held. It was entitled " Evangelization: Community and Evangelist." It was attended by about 45 pastoral workers who are active in all the provinces of Spain and in all sectors: schools, leisure, social services, parishes, and groups of the Salesian Family.

The seminar was organized jointly by the National Youth Ministry Delegation of the Salesians, the Coordinator of Youth Ministry of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and the Salesian Co-operators. It explored three specific themes: the commitment to evangelization of adolescents and young people, presented by Fr Antonio Jiménez of the National Centre of Salesian Youth Ministry (CNSPJ );the role of the evangelizer, by Fr Koldo Gutierrez,  Director of CNSPJ;  and the role of the community: the present situation, the tasks now and in the future, presented by Fr Fernando Miranda, Youth Ministry Delegate for the Valencia Province.

The discussion led to some new proposals for Salesian evangelization and accompaniment of adolescents, young people and young adults, to help them grow in faith and to reach personal and community goals.

The next day, Monday, September 21, the reflection on Salesian Youth Ministry continued in the traditional meeting of the various commissions involved in Youth Ministry: schools, social services, youth centres, missionary animation, parishes and this year, for the first time, also that of the Salesian Cooperators . The event has always been celebrated in Madrid, but this time it was held in the Provincial House, and catered for a greater number of participants, 65 in total.

The work was coordinated by Fr José Miguel Núñez Moreno, Regional Councillor for West Europe. He opened proceedings with a pastoral reflection on the gestures and words of Pope Francis. This presentation led to an initial dialogue, which continued throughout the day in the meetings of the separate commissions.

Published 02/10/2013