The 4th Lay Mission Partners Formation Gathering

By Fr. Shin Mishima, SDB

Miura Peninsula, Japan, 12-13 January 2020 -- The 4th Lay Mission Partners formation program was held with 31 participants from 11 Salesian works (schools, boys homes, kindergartens and nursery centres). This gathering started at the same place in January 2018 in the process of the Provincial reshaping, in 2019, two meetings, including the occasion of the Provincial Chapter at Yamanaka followed, and this time it was also a good time to listen to and know each other and to share the spirit of Salesian family.

The first day began with the greeting of Fr. Provincial Hideaki Hamaguchi and watching the video message from Fr.Vaclav Klement, EAO Regional, a group session about the action plan of “Assistenza”. Through sharing the situation and processes of each workplace, we understood the importance of the handbook of Lay Mission Partner which was published last year. The handbook should be used and studied more by all the members of our workplaces to share our mission.

The second day, Mr.Koichiro Uemura, ASC, who is responsible for recruiting new students of Hyuga Gakuin junior and high school (Miyazaki), presented his practical examples to promote the school of Don Bosco which has become more attractive in recent years. Then Fr. Shinjiro Urata, a member of the Provincial Project Team, explained this year’s Strenna, “Good Christians and Upright Citizens”, especially showing the significance of the Japanese translation, and the new poster of the Japanese “Manga” version.

The gathering concluded with Holy Mass cekebrated by the Provincial and 11 Salesians who are accompanying Lay Mission Partners in every workplace. It was a wonderful time of gratitude to feel that we can share our mission, which is the education for the young in need with the apostolic zeal of Don Bosco. The process is ongoing!

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