(ANS - Vaulx-en-Velin) – Fr Daniel Federspiel, Salesian Provincial of France and Southern Belgium, recently responded to an appeal of Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, Archbishop of Lyons, by sending four Salesians on a mission in Vaulx-en-Velin on the outskirts of Lyons. In a town where the population is predominantly Muslim, Don Bosco is always ready to respond to the needs of the young. Here is the testimony of the missionaries:

We were very well received in the parish of Arc-en-ciel. The parishioners here come from more than forty countries in five continents. Together they live and celebrate the joy of Jesus in the Gospel. Chinese, Vietnamese, Africans, Central Americans, Indians, Chaldeans, Syrians, South Americans and Europeans join in celebrating the Eucharist with impressive vitality.

The involvement of the lay people alongside the Salesians is outstanding in all areas of the parish. This commitment is good, but it calls for commitment on our part on behalf of the younger generations. For this reason we have decided to create a group of young adults aged between 18 and 30 who, hopefully, will succeed us in the near future.

This group started on 10 October 2014. It was called "Ephata", like other Ephata groups started by the Salesians in Belgium. Open to all, Ephata welcomes young people of all religions and all walks of life. The group is currently composed of ten young people, students and professionals, who meet twice a month for a reflection on the Gospel to shed light on topical issues. The meeting is marked by the traditional Salesian family spirit. The community supports the activities of Ephata through the presence of the Rector, Fr Bernard Ringenbach.

The young people are fascinated by the figure of Don Bosco. On Sunday 1 February the young people organized a benefit concert in the parish church of St. Thomas to honour the bicentenary of the birth of our Founder. The proceeds were given to the Chaldean community to support persecuted Christians in Iraq.

In the near future they are planning a retreat for Lent and a pilgrimage to Turin. They are already starting to think about a massive participation in World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow. From the next academic year Ephata plans to run a house that will be opened in Vaulx-en-Velin to host young students and professionals.

Ephata is for us a sign of the relevance of Don Bosco in marginal areas and of the pastoral dynamism of our Province: go to the marginalized – there is nothing else to be said.

Published 05/02/2015