(ANS - Rome) - The meeting of the SYM (Salesian Youth Movement) of the Province of Central Italy, held in Rome on 7-8 June, was well attended and fruitful as always. The purpose of the meeting was to evaluate the present situation and to plan the way forward.

The agenda included end of the year evaluation by representatives of the Assemblies of the different areas, as well as budgets and cost proposals for the year ahead, 2014 - 2015.

Positive moments of the past year included retreats during Advent and Lent, times devoted to formative and pastoral training, and meetings for age groups exploring ways of growing in the faith.

Considerable time was devoted to evaluation of the SYM Forum which had taken place from 25 to 27 July.  It involved over 1,500 young people and was enhanced by the presence of the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime.

The review meeting also served to draw attention to some videos produced during the Forum by the Press Office of the Salesian Province of Central Italy. The twelve videos, with a total of more than two hours’ viewing, are all available on the Youtube channel ICCSalesianiDon Bosco.

With further reference to communication within and beyond the SYM of the Central Italian Province, there was discussion also on the service offered by the web pages www.spaziomgs.com and the Facebook profile. The Committee decided to continue the evaluation of this area in the next meeting which will take place in September.

Similar attention was paid to the next pastoral year, marked especially by the celebration of the Bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco. It will be a year to live with particular intensity and commitment, always with a view to spiritual and pastoral renewal.

An element common to the whole meeting was the commitment to formation as part of every event – recreational gatherings, times of  prayer, or training for leaders and organizers in the movement.

Published 23/06/2014