The only way to the future: animation of Salesian Family groups

By Our Own Correspondent

K'Long, Vietnam, 20 November, 2016 -- The first day (November 20) of the EAO Salesian Family delegates formation meeting started with a Eucharist presided by the Vietnam-Mongolia Provincial Fr. Joseph Quang, who did welcome all 49 participants coming from Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and Japan.

The four members of the Secretariat for the SF (Fr. Eusebio Munoz, Fr. Pier Luigi Cameroni, Fr. Giuseppe Casti and Fr. Joan Lluis Playa) were today strengthen in their inputs by presence of World Coordinator of the Salesian Cooperators Mrs. Noemi Bertola, EAO world councilor Mr. Philip Yu and 10+ Vietnamese Salesian Cooperators who participate in the whole 3 days meeting.

The first day was dedicated to the study of the SF Charter of Identity (2012) and presentation of Salesian Cooperators, Don Bosco Past Pupils and ADMA by their respective World Delegates. The presence of the Lay members of the SF is always very helpful for the deeper awareness of the consecrated SDB and FMA about their animation role. One of the Delegates put the question in a very clear way - 'In our times when the numbers of consecrated men and women is rapidly diminishing in most of the Salesian world, our commitment for the growth and animation of many growing Salesian Family groups is not optional - it's the only way to the future!

During the Salesian Cooperators session their World Delegate took advantage of the World Coordinator and EAO Councilor for an interesting interview. Through many questions and answers all present SDB, FMA and other group members were able to understand the vocation of the Sal.Cooperators: How did you become a Salesian Cooperator? Why is the promise necessary to live a life-long vocation of the Sal. Cooperators? Can the Sal. Cooperators be also member of the ADMA (Association of Mary Help of Christians)? What are the motivations to answer to this vocation - call of God? In our province there are already many lay mission partners, they are already 'de facto' Salesian Cooperators, why to join the Associations? What are the main needs in their formation?

In the open personal dialogue emerged many crucial points: I was aware until now that the Salesian Cooperators are only our helpers! Our role as core group in the Salesian family does shape and deepen our own consecrated vocation! In the life of the ASC World councilor the help of their family members is very important!

Due to the language barrier the participants were divided in the smaller groups (English and Vietnamese speaking). This method helped to improve the effectiveness of the K'Long based seminar. All participant feel very much at home and enjoy the cool climate.

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