On the first day the Delegates participated in the live radio broadcast of the Marian Rosary, a service offered by the communication team of the BRE Province that is greatly appreciated by all. “It was a very fruitful experience, because we could see up close how the communication work led by Fr Ribeiro reaches people in different Brazilian states with such intensity, even from other regions outside the Northeast,” stressed the Delegate for Communication from the Missionary Province of Brazil-Manaus (BMA), José Luis Almeida.
The work schedule was quite elaborate: each Delegate presented the Provincial Communication Plan drawn up on the basis of the proposal for the six-year period of each Sector of the Congregation, following the 28th General Chapter.
Another topic discussed was the use of the Salesian logo in Brazil, the “RSB” seal, its applications and its hierarchies. Each Province also presented the institutional projects under development in relation to the Don Bosco Green program, the management of certification procedures, excellence in service, the ability to attract new students… And so many different options were shared on how to deal with the different common issues.
The School of Communication, completed last year, also received a positive evaluation from members of the National Communication Commission (CONAC). Another activity analysed was the unification of the Vocational Animation Project in the digital environment by the Salesian Vocational Animation Services (SAVs), with the presentation made, connecting remotely, by Fr Rafael Galvão.
For his part, the General Councillor for Social Communication, Brazilian Fr Gildasio Mendes, also attended the meeting remotely by telephone. And in his conversation with the Delegates he gave words of encouragement to the group and asked them to pray.
In addition to all the sessions and working meetings, the SC Delegates from Brazil also had the opportunity to socialise and exchange experiences in moments such as the visit to the Amanhecer Missionary Association (AMA), an body in charge of coordinating an important communication and evangelisation project carried out by the Salesians in the Northeast, or the visit to the Ricardo Brennand Institute museum. The meeting of the SC Delegates then experienced a second phase, from 13 to 16 July, thanks to the Mutirão Brasileiro de Comunicação (MUTICOM – Brazilian Mobilization of Communication) event promoted by the Brazilian Episcopal Conference. This took place at João Pessoa and saw the participation of the Salesian Network Brazil (RSB).
Euclid Fernandes
