austraLasia #3017
CIN Salesian schools hold joint PTA meeting
HONG KONG: 11 February 2012 -– The Annual Joint Parent and Teacher Association Gathering was held in Hong Kong on 11 February 2012. The theme was the Preventive System’s contribution towards communication with youth. All the participants shared how they communicate with young people and whether their care and love is successfully conveyed.
Fr. Simon Lam, Provincial of China Province, highlighted the fact that youth are vulnerable but that they possess great potential. The Preventive System is also a way of living. Firstly, it aims to prevent youth from falling into the traps that will cause them permanent damage. "They need a degree of temperance and they need to know that God is watching over us all the time. They have a lot of energy but we need to help them to utilize this energy by organizing various activities like picnics, drama and music performances. This is a very important element of the Preventive System. Therefore, family gatherings like outings, hiking and even tea-parties (a Chinese favourite) are also important methods for developing communication, relationships and companionship".
Secondly, companionship develops relationships. It is not appropriate just to reward children with gifts. A more effective way is to celebrate with them by dining together or by some other joint activities. Don Bosco did not talk much but he accompanied youth. Therefore, talking is not as effective as companionship in developing relationships. We have to tell them that we love them, but when they also feel loved and cared for, then they respond to our love and care spontaneously.
Finally, religion can help our youth to be more “three-dimensional” (including the vertical relationship with God). Apart from the present life, there is the issue of eternal life and death. It is our responsibility to let them know these important topics of life. Moreover, religion can make education more complete.
CIN Salesian schools hold joint PTA meeting
Fr. Simon Lam, Provincial of China Province, highlighted the fact that youth are vulnerable but that they possess great potential. The Preventive System is also a way of living. Firstly, it aims to prevent youth from falling into the traps that will cause them permanent damage. "They need a degree of temperance and they need to know that God is watching over us all the time. They have a lot of energy but we need to help them to utilize this energy by organizing various activities like picnics, drama and music performances. This is a very important element of the Preventive System. Therefore, family gatherings like outings, hiking and even tea-parties (a Chinese favourite) are also important methods for developing communication, relationships and companionship".
Secondly, companionship develops relationships. It is not appropriate just to reward children with gifts. A more effective way is to celebrate with them by dining together or by some other joint activities. Don Bosco did not talk much but he accompanied youth. Therefore, talking is not as effective as companionship in developing relationships. We have to tell them that we love them, but when they also feel loved and cared for, then they respond to our love and care spontaneously.
Finally, religion can help our youth to be more “three-dimensional” (including the vertical relationship with God). Apart from the present life, there is the issue of eternal life and death. It is our responsibility to let them know these important topics of life. Moreover, religion can make education more complete.
