Between 3 and 6 February the team concentrated on re-thinking youth ministry. On Thursday 3 February 30 Salesians from the various Regions of the Congregation began the process in the light of the new situation in which young people find themselves and the new theological and anthropological standpoints of the Church. The main intentions were to give greater depth to the evangelising dimension of pastoral practice, appreciate the value of a renewed confidence in education and its relationship with evangelisation and examine the necessary elements for a ministry both unified and diverse, on the basis of cultural challenges.
Benefitting from the presence and the suggestions of the Rector Major, the Department gathered together questions, proposals and encouraging suggestions in order to reflect on the new steps, to be taken in this area.
On Sunday 6, at the end of the work a document was drawn up and approved, on which the Educative Pastoral Communities in the Provinces were invited to reflect and to examine the issues involved in their pastoral practice.
From today Monday 7 February until Thursday 10, the Youth Ministry Department will continue its reflections with the meeting of the Consultative Committee devoted to the topic of the first key issue of the 26th General Chapter: “Returning to Don Bosco”. From listening to reflecting and finally to planning the members will deal with the reports from the Regional Coordinators: regarding the response to this first key issue in recent years; and the relationship between the three Departments for the Mission: Youth Ministry, Communication and the Missions.
Published 07/02/2011
