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RM to AUL youth leaders: 'Let's build a better world!'
MELBOURNE: 18th October '04 -- Mingling in a context in which he clearly revelled, Fr Pascual Chávez spoke in very personal terms to youth leaders, those animators and Religious Education Coordinators working with them, to Salesians and Salesian Sisters and Salesian lay partners present at Don Bosco Brunswick Youth Centre this morning.
'Let's build a better world - like Dominic Savio and Laura Vicuña did', he challenged his hundred plus audience, punctuating the three-point plan (the 2004 Strenna) with phrases they could readily absorb: Life as a gift - 'not all around you is bad, ugly and awful. Look up!' Experience God - 'I'm so happy being a Salesian I would like you to share the best gift I have received!' The challenge to serve - 'only one person in human history has beaten death (say it loudly) Jesus Christ!'
In a question-and-answer session, Fr Chávez responded to a request for advice: 'be at the centre of life', 'be like the Dromana volunteers' (an example of young people present for the occasion, led by lay members of the Salesian Family ).
Asked for comment on what was his motivation for the Salesian vocation he loves so much, a personal story: 'When I was 12 years of age I needed basketball shoes. It was just 14 days before my mother died. I promised her the money would be well spent - I would take great care of them. She was the one who inspired my vocation, gave me a meaning for life, a daily driving force, a dream for my entire life. If I were born again I would want to be Salesian again.'
'How', asked one young leader, 'do you take up the challenge again when you are tired?' 'Don Bosco's responses of the style given to Dominic Savio might help: be happy always; stick with your duty; life is hard but to prepare for the challenge study, do your duty, make God the source of your life and energy!'
The encounter with Australia's young Salesian leaders, prepared and given direction by the Pastoral Animation Team of the province in coordinatiion with local centres, was conducted in the spacious surroundings of the Don Bosco Youth Centre. There was a time for prayer incorporating Aboriginal legends, as well as the 'Legend of the Sun' used by the Rector Major in his presentation of the Strenna. There were displays of the leadership work of the various groups, and time for group sharing to determine how best to take the Strenna's programme as input for the 2005 School, Youth Centre, Parish-based year.
And Fr Chávez final words? 'I love, you, I pray for you, I keep you in my heart'.
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'austraLasia' is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia-Pacific. It functions also as an agency for ANS, based in Rome. Try also www.bosconet.aust.com Is it enculturation or inculturation or both? For further comment cf Lexisdb
