By Joseph Nguyen Thinh Phuoc SDB

       RMG, Rome and EAO, 10 March 2021 -- From March 1-3, 2021, the Regional had an online meeting with the provincials/superiors of the EAO Region. This was the first meeting for the Regional and the annual one for the others. The presence of the former and new superiors, as well as the two new provincials-elect made the meeting a “moment of continuity and novelty” for leadership in the Congregation. Also, with online meetings, the Congregation is adjusting itself to something “new” but this “new” becomes normal as one can see in various animation meetings that are happening in the Congregation today.

       The Regional spent the first day of the meeting presenting a part of the Directory of the General Council which is related to his role as Regional, a ministry of assistance to the superiors of each province. Also, the superiors in EAO each had time for sharing their recent achievements after the General Chapter and in dealing with the challenges they are facing.

       On the second and third days of the meeting they had the opportunity to meet with some of the Sector Councillors: Fr. Miguel Angel Garcia, [Councillor for Youth Ministry], Fr. Alfred Maravillia [Councilor for Missions], and Fr. Ivo Coelho [Councillor for Formation]. All of the Councillors presented some key resources, directions and works they are offering to provinces and their superiors. They invited them to study these materials to animate their provincial councillors, delegates and confreres and members of the Salesian Family.

       The Youth Ministry Councillor committed to offering the services of his Sector to any province which needs the assistance from the Sector, concretely with the coming sessions the Sector will offer to train Provincial Youth Ministry Delegates. The Formation Sector will also offer a Training Program on Personal Accompaniment, one ministry that the General Chapters have insisted on.

       The Good Afternoon Talks given by the Rector Major, the Vicar and the General Economer helped participants experience profound communion with the Congregation at large. They are encouraged to assume their services, very special and precious for the whole congregation.

       The participants had time to share feedback and reflections. Some proposals for the next meetings have been raised, related to the Retreat with the Rector Major, the Team Visits and the meetings with the Sectors and their Delegates. The Regional hoped that the meetings would be useful for himself and the others as all of them had one mind and heart to serve the confreres and the young, in relation to their roles.

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