Portugal – A meeting of Youth Ministry Coordinators of the Salesians and the FMA reinforces their common journey
Estoril, Portugal – June 2024 – A combined meeting of Youth Ministry Coordiantors of the Salesians and the FMA took place on Monday 17 June, at the Provincial House of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) in Monte Estoril. Fr Juan Freitas, Delegate for Youth Ministry in the Salesian Province of Portugal (POR), opened the event, the second of the year, focused mainly on the objective of evaluating the activities carried out together during the pastoral year and outlining the plan for the coming year. The part of experiences among the participants was also a high point of the meeting, providing a rich exchange of best practices and learning. The meeting, which involved representatives from the various Salesian houses in Portugal, was a moment of great communion and support for collaboration between the Salesians, the FMA, the young people of the Salesian Youth Movement and the collaborators in the area of Youth Ministry. Fr Freitas also led a formative moment that explored Pope Francis' address to participants in the International Congress on Youth Ministry, and the highlights were the subject of reflection and sharing by the participants. The meeting in Monte Estoril was an important step in the combined journey of the Salesians and the FMA in Portugal, in view of the activities carried out together during the pastoral year, as a starting point for collaboration in the organisation of events, in the formation of young people and in pastoral accompaniment.