By Jenny Ng Lim
Photos: John Justus

Hong Kong, 10 June 2018 -- On Sunday a two-hour formation talk on Youth Ministry and the Preventive System was given by Fr Edgar Andrew Carbon, SDB, at the Don Bosco Learning Center in Sai Wan.

Fr Carbon began with a discussion of the realities faced by educators in today’s post-modernist culture. These include individualism, consumerism, and the lack of certainty and absolutes. As a result, traditional institutions such as family, religion, government and education are in a state of collapse. More than ever, young people need adults in their lives who are interested in their growth and who can be actively present for them as they go through the process of self-discovery.

Just as in the time of St John Bosco, the youth of today need help and assistance to grow into mature adults who can stand on their own, while preventing possible dangers that may befall them. Based on Don Bosco’s preventive system, this means the use of reason, loving kindness, spiritual accompaniment and the readiness to “waste time” with the young people we aim to serve, including those in our own families.

As parents and as Salesian Cooperators, the talk provided us with an excellent springboard for generating ideas on family and youth ministry, and reminded us of the substantial tasks and pitfalls that lie ahead. Together with our spiritual director, Fr Bala Kishore Miriyala, our group would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Fr Carbon for generously sharing his time and insights with us.

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