Fr Mendes visited Mogofores in the last days from 22 to 24 April and, punctually at 8 am on the first of the 3 days, he was received by the Director and by the other Salesians of the community. Then he offered the thought of the Salesian “Good morning” to the school's students and explained all the meaning of his visit: to be with his brothers, to praise God for what is being done there, to offer useful suggestions and indications.
He also brought the greeting of the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, and his Council, and his paternal "concern" to help the Congregation grow in the beauty of the Salesian charism, in the apostolic holiness of every religious, and in pastoral service to the poorest and most marginalized young people.
During his visit, he spent a lot of time listening: to fully understand the characteristics of the work of Mogofores and the environment in which it is inserted; before offering, in a very simple and comprehensive way, the best ways to follow to achieve goals and projects.
He conversed with the entire Educational Community of the School, with the members of the Salesian Family and the Parish Pastoral Council, and often interacted with the students of the institute.
Subsequently, from 25 to 29 April, the General Councilor for Social Communication reached Mirandela, where he carried out the previously planned program, involving the people who animate the main sectors of the Salesian presence - the Salesian community, the reception house, the “St John Bosco” parish with its pastoral project. He also met the diocesan bishop and dedicated himself to getting to know the surrounding situation.
Fr Mendes had various meetings with the Salesian community and met the community council. At the reception house itself, he met, in a more specific way, the members of the technical team and had a meeting with all the collaborators who make up the educational and support teams.
He then gathered with the leaders of the parish animation teams, whom he congratulated on their ability to engage in the process of education and evangelization typical of a Salesian parish.
He expressed his appreciation of the geographical position of the Salesian house from the point of view of landscape and ecology and noted the good relationship that exists with the various entities and institutions of the city.
And during the visit to the diocesan bishop, Msgr. José Cordeiro, the work carried out by various generations of Salesians who have passed through that city, the Salesian imprint of the parish of St John Bosco and the need to strengthen the educational-pastoral intervention in the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, were all highlighted.
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