Paraguay – Pedagogical Days 2024: strengthening pastoral animation in Salesian schools
Ypacaraí, Paraguay – February 2024 – The 2024 Pedagogical Days were held at the Salesian Family House in Ypacaraí from 1-2 February. Community directors, school students, members of the board of directors and technical councils, pastoral coordinators and secretaries, as well as teachers of religion participated. These days are one instance of ongoing formation of the members of the Educative and Pastoral Communities. During the days, topics related to pastoral animation were addressed, including: "Pastoral animation of Salesian schools: The articulation of the dimensions of the Salesian Educative and Pastoral Project", by Fr Francisco Miranda, Delegate for Youth Ministry for the Salesian Province of Paraguay (PAR); "Bio-psychosocial characteristics of children, adolescents and young people today", by Mrs. Elena Codas; and "Pastoral animation of Salesian schools: concepts, managers, criteria", by Fr Nilo Zarate, Delegate for Youth Ministry and Education to the faith. Thanks to this meeting, it was restated that school ministry is the task and responsibility of all educators in this environment, and not only of those responsible; and it develops across the entire educational task, and not only in specific activities. In this sense, it can be said that the educators of the Salesian school must nurture pastoral intentionality in their educational work.