(ANS – Zadar) – From May 4-7  in Zadar in the Croatian Province (CRO), the annual meeting of the Provincials of the North Europe Region was held. The Regional Councilor for North Europe, Fr. Marek Chrzan,  presided. The meeting served to programme and coordinate some initiatives and to reflect on various topics affecting the North Europe Region.

The members were welcomed by the Salesian community and the meeting was held in the retreat house of the Franciscan School Sisters of Christ the King. During the four working days they discussed various topics:

• Revaluation of the Programming of the North Europe Region in mid-sexennium  and progress in view of  the 27th General Chapter (GC27):
• Reflections following  on the Team Visit;
• Preparations for the GC27;
• Project Europe – the initiatives, the initiative,  the change of composition of the Region, the new distributions of  centres in the East European Speicial Circumscription;
• the activities in preparation for the Bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco, with special reference to the pilgrimage of the relic of  Don Bosco and the Historical Congress  at Benediktbeuern;
• the new set-up of the “Don Bosco International” (DBI);
• the proposals for the “International discussions on Salesian Life” and the “Salesian Forum. Pedagogy, Pastroral, spirituality: yesterday, today and tomorrow”.

On Sunday May 6th Fr. Ivan Marijanović, Provincial of Croazia, presided at Mass in the Salesian Parish “Our Lady of Loreto” of  Zadar. There was a warm welcome from  the Salesian community, led by Fr. Blazevic Tunjo, and from the people.

Between the activities there was also some opportunity for culture and leisure. Accompanied by a local guide, the Provincials and Delegates were able to see something of the historical, cultural and natural attractions of the area. The evenings, enriched by  performances by the “Donat” and “Clementina” folklore groups, were a time for spontaneous discussion and sharing. On one occasion also sharing was Mons.  Želimir Puljić, Archbishop of Zadar, a former student of the Pontifical Salesian University of Rome.

 The next programmed arrangements are the meeting of European Provincial in Rome (November 2012) and the meeting of Provincials and Provincial Delegates which will be held in about a year’s time at Gdańsk, Poland, in the Province of Piła (PLN).

Published 14/05/2012