"As has by now become a tradition for our Council meetings, to the typically organizational activities we always add educational moments to share together. This time we were able to listen with pleasure to the words of Father Morand Wirth, a Salesian of Don Bosco and an excellent connoisseur of St. Francis de Sales, who gave us 'glimpses' of particular aspects of the figure of the layperson according to St. Francis. Moreover, having chosen Valdocco as the venue for this Council meeting, we could not fail to dedicate a half-day to visit the Casa Don Bosco House Museum," explained Antonio Boccia, World Coordinator of the Association.
The assembled Councilors were then able to elect the new World Administrator and Secretary of the Association of Salesian Cooperators: Raul Fernández, Councilor of the Iberian Region, was elected as Administrator; and Carlo Pellegrino, Councilor of the Italy-Middle East-Malta Region, as Secretary. The outgoing Administrator and Secretary, Cinzia Arena and Filippo Servilli, were also thanked on the occasion for their prompt and skillful service.
Also present at the meeting were Sister Leslye Sandigo, Councilor for the Salesian Family of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, the World Delegate for Salesian Cooperators and Past Pupils of Don Bosco, Salesian Brother Dominic Nguyen, Fr Joan Lluis Playa, Central Delegate of the Rector Major for the Secretariat for the Salesian Family and Sr. Carmen Lucrecia Uribe, the World Delegate for the Association of Salesian Cooperators. For some of those present, it was their last participation in the World Council, because later this year there will be Congresses in some Regions that will elect new World Councilors.
"Having prayed at the foot of the painting of the Help of Christians near Don Bosco's urn has given us the enthusiasm we need to be able to offer the best of ourselves in the service of the Association of Salesian Cooperators so that each one can bring the young people ever-abundant fruits of our lay charism. We are all unanimous in saying that this is done 'only through Love and nothing through constraint,'" Antonio Boccia concluded.
