The meeting began with the solemn Holy Eucharist presided over by Fr. Vijay Soy, the Vice-Provincial of New Delhi. The energetic young people of Salesian Youth Movement of Don Bosco Yuva Kendara Nazafgar welcomed all the delegates with their melodious songs.
Fr. Maria Charles Sdb, the Secretary of Education and Culture, Department of CBCI and former Director of DBYA-SA, delivered the keynote address highlighting the importance of systematic and planning mentality following the direction given in the Frame of Reference of Salesian Youth Ministry. He notified the participants about keeping abreast with the current youth scenario to be effective in making interventions in their lives. He also emphasized on the theme of collaborating with the Church’s youth ministry instead of having competition with it as it is perceived at times.
Fr. John Parankimalil, the Secretary of SPCSA presented the youth situation of North East India taking into account his own forty-four-year long experience working with the school and college students. He highlighted the various issues faced by young people. They become victims of drug addiction and sexual abuse, and are influenced by negative impact of social media, lack of motivation and depression. He called on the Salesians to make effective interventions in their lives.
Fr. Patrick Lepcha, DBYA Director, focused on the importance of mission quoting the “Frame of Reference”. He said, “We are called to be faithful in implementing the mission of this valuable book which is the grammar of Salesian Youth Ministry. The Salesian youth ministry is therefore a systematic activity of the educative and pastoral community which is motivated by a charismatic mission. It seeks to enable young people to grow in maturity, in a religious vocation, and to communion with Jesus Christ in the Church. It helps young people, by means of educational activities (All Networks) to become ‘upright citizens and good Christians’. Hence, we have a great and effective role to play for the young people of South Asia Region as Youth Ministry Delegates and Network Heads together”.
There were presentations by various Dimension Coordinators and Network Heads. Every presentation was followed by the open discussion and question hour.
Fr. Don Bosco Lourdusamy, the Provincial of Chennai Province and Provincial Incharge of DBYA-SA, during his intervention suggested that all youth ministry delegates should be in the Provincial Council Team because youth ministry is the heart of the Salesian legacy and charism. He becomes an inevitable part of the council in order to strengthen and carry forward the mission of the province and congregation. He also emphasized on the faithful working on Salesian Educative Pastoral Plan/Project together with the Educative Pastoral Plan of the Educative Pastoral Community and Council. This will surely safe guard and bring longevity to our congregation.He made a clarion call to all the participants about doing the youth ministry with hearts filled with love.
Later, the assembly had a discussion on the concerns and dreams on how to strategize and collaborate for the youth ministry. The assembly has come out with a way forward:
– Have improved connectivity and sharing of information between Youth Ministry Delegates, Dimension Coordinators and Network Heads. All the proposals made during the meetings are to be shared. YMD can take them up the in the respective councils and dimension and commission meetings.
– The need for dedicated people in the dimensions and sectors.
– The issues that are articulated in the statutes should be implemented. The Guidelines given in the Frame of Reference to be respected.
– Collate together the resources of all dimensions, sectors and networks and share with respective departments for the purpose of animation.
– All Youth Ministry Delegates could be a member of the Provincial Council and should be included in all the meetings of dimensions and allied sectors.
Fr. Biju Michael, the Regional Councillor for South Asia, addressed the assembly via a prerecorded video message emphasizing on the carrying forward the Salesian Mission through SEPP and EPP and EPC as indicated in the Frame of Reference. He also illustrated on the role and responsibilities of the Youth Delegate in the province especially focusing on the animation of the communities. He has made an urgent appeal to DBYA team to make serious reflections on the current youth scenario and come out with a standard research book on the youth situation. This has been endorsed and accepted by all the participants.
Source: Don Bosco South Asia
