(ANS – Rome) – Last weekend, between 4 and 6 November, at the Generalate in Rome  there was the II Seminar for pastoral workers in the  Italy-Middle East Region, taking as its  theme the II Key Issue of the 26 General Chapter: “The need for vocation ministry in the context of the Salesian school and training centre.”

It formed part of a series of three Seminars, in the context of the Project of animation and government of the Rector Major and his Council for the six-year period 2008-2014: in November 2009 attention was focused on the task of education and evangelisation in the context of the Schools and the Vocational Training Centres and in  2013 the third will consider the new frontiers with regard to  the Schools and the Vocational Training Centres.

Organised by the National Centre for Salesian Works /Schools (CNOS/SCUOLA) and (CNOS-FAP), and the Youth Ministry Delegates of the Provinces, the Seminar attracted about 130 people, including Province representatives for schools and vocational training, Province Youth Ministry Delegates  as well as  pastoral-work coordinators and catechists.

The main aim was to share ideas and experiences, work on education to the faith projects and to strengthen the formation of those entrusted with special responsibilities.

On Friday evening 4 November, the Regional Councillor for Italy-Middle East  Fr Pier Fausto Frisoli welcomed everyone and then Fr Miguel Cano Zanoletty spoke about vocational culture in the praxis of Don Bosco.

On Saturday morning Prof. Giuseppe Savagnone spoke about promoting a vocational culture in the schools and training centres nowadays  while Fr Francesco Marcoccio presented some special aspects in the promotion of such a culture: the presence of a Educative Pastoral Community open to the development of the Salesian Youth Movement; affective education and education in prayer and, finally the need to avoid neglecting the idea of the “Happy Death.”

On Sunday morning there was group work followed by a closing address by Fr Frisoli.

Published 08/11/2011