In the bilingual parish of St John Bosco, in Vilnius, Fr Maravilla was able to concelebrate the Sunday parish mass for children and young people and also greeted the parishioners who participated in the Polish-language mass. Subsequently, he was also able to meet leaders of parish groups. Later, after expressing his appreciation for the work of parish groups with the Salesian community in pastoral animation, he also encouraged them to strengthen the charismatic identity of the Salesian parish.
Fr Maravilla also visited the Salesian presence in Telšiai, which opened a few years ago. The Salesians provide pastoral service in the local Catholic secondary school and work within the Youth Ministry of the diocese. Accompanied by the Salesians, he was able to greet the teachers of the school and meet the Director and the Deputy Director.
During his visit to the Baltic country, the General Councillor for the Missions had the opportunity to speak personally with all eight Salesians currently working in Lithuania. At the end of his Visit, he stressed, addressing the Salesians, that "since our human resources are reduced, it is essential that a missionary presence such as that of Lithuania has a strategic development plan. How do we see our Salesian presence in Lithuania in the next ten years?” he asked them. He also stressed that "the lack of a strategic plan will make us respond only to urgent matters, which will be endless, but they will not help us focus our resources on strategic options that will revive our charism and help it grow."
"But above all" he continued "the humus of any strategic plan is the deep fraternal life that allows the confreres to share, discuss and clarify their ideas and dreams to elaborate a common vision of how to revive the Salesian charism. In fact, the intercultural dynamic in international communities is the first missionary witness we bring to the people and especially to the young people we serve", Fr Maravilla concluded.
