(ANS – Farnières) – Between 23 and 25 March, at Farnières, about 50 Salesians-Cooperators from Southern Belgium met for their annual retreat. During the weekend of sharing and formation, they understood the importance of evangelising by means of what they had received.

Led by Fr Pascal Harmel, Provincial Delegate for the Salesians-Cooperators, they reflected, prayed and shared together, as well as enjoying the beautiful countryside: many were fascinated by the little streams of the Ardennes.

The subject of the retreat was “Handing on what we have received” or in other words the task of every Salesian-Cooperator to help others in their spiritual growth so that in their turn they too may become sharers and evangelisers for their neighbours.  On Friday 23, Sr Bénédicte Pitti, Provincial of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Southern Belgium spoke about this programme. She pointed out that this was not a short term effort but a life-time’s responsibility. Afterwards she gave a presentation  of the Vidès Project.

On Saturday Fr Harmel gave a number of talks based on Sacred Scripture, Don Bosco’s dream of the two columns  and the  “Passeur d’eau” by the Belgian poet Émile Verhaeren. It was a relaxing day but also one of deep inner spirituality.

During Sunday Mass two women from the Huy-Ampsin Centre, surrounded by their families and supported by the prayers of all those present made their promise as Salesian-Cooperatorsi. Some others also renewed their promises on this occasion.

Representing the French Centres at the weekend were Hélène Buschenrieder, Provincial Coordinator for France, as well as Jacques and Claudine Lenglart, Michel Gamelin and Danièle Sciacaluga, from the Lille Centre, accompanied by their spiritual directors the Salesians Fr Jean-Noël Charmoille, Vice Provincial  and Fr Jean-Pierre Jung, Delegate for the Salesians-Cooperators in Lille.

Published 03/04/2012