(ANS – Altea La Vella) – The extended Youth Ministry Team in the Province of Spain Valencia met between Friday 31 August and Sunday 2 September, at Altea La Vella, near Alicante, to reflect on the progress made and to work on future projects. The meeting was chaired by the YM Provincial Delegate  Fr Fernando Miranda, and the Provincial Fr Juan Bosco Sancho and his Vicar Fr José J. Gómez also attended.

“Evangelisation is the priority and we have to propose life understood as a vocation, this is a decision of the Province“ Fr Sancho said at one point. During the meeting time was given to the presentation of the new Provincial Commission for Evangelisation and Vocation promotion to be coordinated by Fr Fernando Navarro.

According to Fr Miranda, “this meeting is for us Salesians who have responsibility for encouraging pastoral work in our centres  and involving other evangelisers an experience of community; it is a quiet time where we can celebrate and share our faith in the Eucharist.”

Among the issues examined was the Forum of Evangelisers, as regards both the previous  one and the one to be held between 4 and 6 October 2013. The point was made that it was important that people from every centre took part so as to keep alive the flame of apostolic enthusiasm. For this purpose a Team will be set up with the task of organising the new Forum and keeping in contact with those who took part in the first one.

Fr Rosendo Soler, Leader of the Don Bosco Youth Association and member of the Youth Ministry Team of Salesian Institute in Alicante, spoke about the importance of the next National Youth Ministry Congress which the Spanish Church is holding between 1 and 4 November at Valencia, mentioning that Salesians were involved in its organisation.

The Social Communication Delegation also expressed their satisfaction with the meeting and the spirit of dialogue between the two delegations. Fr José Luis Burguera said “the atmosphere has been relaxed, very constructive with time also for getting to know each other.”

During the meeting there was also discussion about the important contribution that Youth Ministry could make in some of the future events planned: the visit of Don Bosco’s relic; the Provincial Chapter and activities connected with the liturgical seasons of the year. Some Salesians-Cooperators were also present and spoke about various issues, and representatives of the Salesian NGO “Jóvenes y Desarrollo”, who spoke about their campaigns and resource material for the coming year.

Published 07/09/2012