(ANS – Ayagualo) – Last weekend at the Retreat House of the Sacred Heart in Ayagualo, there was the Congress of Association Ministry of the Central American Province. The purpose was to confirm the process of the consolidation of the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM), in harmony with the local churches, as a significant contribution to the evangelisation of the young and as a response to their needs.

There were ninety young people from the six countries which make up the Province of  Central America, who shared in the joy, the prayer, and the commitment to develop the Province project regarding the identity of the SYM and drew up proposals for net working.

During the meeting each of the countries represented gave an account of the significant youth ministry work undertaken with special reference to the ways these were a part of the presence of the SYM in the various local churches. Each national delegation described the specific response to the particular situations and youth scene.

For the future the following guidelines were identified: the consolidation of the local and national structures of the groups making up the SYM; the drawing up a Salesian Educative Pastoral Project; strengthening the sense of belonging and the identity of the young members; the link between the SYM and the local church; drawing up a personal life plan; increasing the evangelising dimension.

It was clear that the young people were pleased to discover how many good things they had to share, and that during the three days lived together in the name of Don Bosco they all drew new strength.

Published 19/09/2012