By Fr. Gary Carbon, SDB
Photo by Fr. Martin Yip, SDB
Cheung Chau, Hong Kong, March 30, 2016 - During the days of March 28 - April 1, the 28 member - delegates of China province gathered in the Don Bosco Retreat House in Cheung Chau (Hong Kong) for the 2016 Provincial Chapter.
“Be courageous in your Provincial Chapters! Do not simply continue to do some good, but decide to do the good that you should do, true Salesian Youth Pastoral” – these words of our Rector Major, Fr. Angel, were given to us to inspire our Chapter work.
The second day of the PC16 dealt with two topics. In the morning, the chapter members discussed the implementation of the GC27, and in the afternoon they started the process of reshaping the Salesian Presences in the Province.
Some of the points that were reflected on during the working sessions regarding the first task:
- in the part “Mystics in the Spirit”, there was mentioned not only the significance of the “silence” and “meditation” in eastern spirituality, but also the need to learn more about on how to do these two spiritual practices.
- While talking about “Prophets of Fraternity”, the difference between “life in common” and “community life” and how to realize the latter one was the object of several interventions; gossiping was mentioned as an enemy of fraternity; and with regard to interpersonal communication and family gatherings it was stressed the fact that the problem was not to organize such meetings, but how to make these encounters meaningful and give them “quality”.
- The third part of the first task was dedicated to the “Servants of the Young”, and – also here – it was stated the challenge of “how” to implement the GC27 guidelines. Some chapter members stressed “spirituality” and the “need for Jesus” – only in this way we would become able to serve the young.
After lunch, the chapter members lost a football match against the boys from the Cheung Chau Don Bosco Youth Center. However, this did not stop them from taking up the second task of the day in the afternoon. Most of the interventions regarding the Reshaping of the Salesian Presences were related to the fundamental options set up by the PC04. It was discussed whether the option for the mainland should remain, or whether it was outdated after having been entrusted to the Services. Likewise, the option for the 10% of the poorest young was questioned by the new guideline of the “Servants of the Young”. Instead, the greater need for the religious education of the young was suggested as a new fundamental option for the Province’s mission.
Then, the PC welcomed Fr. Dolphie and Fr. Kishore as special guests and listened carefully to their presentation of their Apostolate for South Asian Youth in Hong Kong. This apostolate for marginalized youth in the Hong Kong region is a wonderful example on how to realize and implement the GC27 in the province. The young people taken care of by Fr. Dolphie and Fr. Kishore in Tung Chung and Kennedy Town are mostly Indians, Sri Lankans, Pakistanis, Punjabies, and Nepalies. They are migrants, and because of the language barrier or high costs for language courses drained out from good jobs, and not a few of them might become a threat for society in the future. As Salesians, we have to do more to assist these young people.
On the third day of the PC16, the chapter members worked on the revision of the Provincial Directory (PD). The participation and discussions were lively, but still two chapters of the PD remain for tomorrow’s work sessions.
Revising the PD, the structures of the Province were clarified and simplified. Under the general leadership of the Provincial and his counsel, the Formation Commission and Youth Ministry commission were named the two important commissions to coordinate, animate and organize all the work of the Province. The delegates for formation, Youth Pastoral, Vocations, Missionary Animation, Social Communication, Salesian Cooperators, Past Pupils and – if the Chapter does not decide to dissolve this post (cf. yesterday’s report) – the delegate for the neediest 10% of youth are all among the ex-officio members of these two commissions. But then, under these two commissions, the three territories of the Province have there localized structures: the Macao Territory Council, the Hong Kong Territory Council, and the Taiwan Territory Council. Each of these territory councils has a commission for Youth Services, Schools and Parishes under its care.
While working hard and till late in the evening, the chapter members were reminded today of the overall aim of the chapter, which is conversion. And what is conversion? Fr. Carbon quoted the desert fathers who say: “Conversion is a broken and contrite heart.” May the Lord grant us this grace and help us to fulfill our task.
