Even before the meeting took place, the organizers had published and shared some material through social networks to encourage the participation of different groups and to generate expectations in relation to the theme, through reflections and questions. In the phase, which began on 22 August, three videos were shared, entitled: “Listening and Accompaniment”; “My little Church” and “Pastoral care in the virtual world”.
Having completed this journey, on the evening of 17 September, the SF XIII National Meeting opened with the Eucharist presided over by the Provincial of the Salesians, Fr Francisco Sánchez, with the participation of the representatives of the various groups.
"Let us reflect on what it means today to be a Salesian Family robust in its being and in its action, giving answers that are concrete and of salvation, to create a new earth that is projected into a new heaven," were the words with which Fr Sanchéz concluded the homily.
The Saturday activities began with the greeting of Fr Joan Lluís Playà, Central Delegate of the Rector Major for the Secretariat of the Salesian Family; his words of animation served as a prelude to the main speech by Msgr. Luis Sánchez Armijos, SDB, Bishop Emeritus of Machala, who spoke of the importance of realizing that God "makes all things new" not from the outside, but from within the heart of each of us.
The planned activities also included moments of recollection, prayer, group work and also the sharing of the joy of being heirs of Don Bosco's charism. Among these were: the Rosary of Dawn, the Marian Serenade, the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the Night of Joy.
After the three-day meeting, several conclusions were reached to continue working in synergy. One of these was to take on the commitment, as Salesian Family, to open one’s mind and heart to live in harmony with Jesus the Good Shepherd, choosing new strategies and resources, with an approach of intercultural and intergenerational welcome to be signs and bearers of communion, hope and love.
With this in mind, some of the tasks that will take place in the coming months are: dissemination and feedback on the event by areas and groups of the SF; the execution of the programme planned in the agenda for 2022, and the sharing of reports and other training resources.
https://www.infoans.org/en/component/k2/item/13720-ecuador-living-in-harmony-with-jesus-the-challenge-that-brought-the-salesian-family-together#sigProId27822f1ed5
