By Fr. Thomas, SDB

Cheung Chau, Hong Kong, April 1, 2016 - Day 4 of PC16 finished yesterday’s work about the first revision of the Provincial Directory, and then was dedicated to the free discussion about the reshaping of the Salesian Presence in the Province, taking into consideration the 7 principles set up by the Vicar of the Rector Major (cf. Letter of the Provincial 12 June 2015).

The debate was divided into three parts: firstly, how to reshape the communities; secondly, how to reshape the works; and thirdly, how to set up a succession plan for the works, especially how to give formation to our lay mission partners.

Different and often controversy ideas were expressed. The respective commissions have gathered them, and tomorrow the chapter members will have to vote on them.

After each part, the Provincial clarified some of the questions brought up and gave a feed back. Thus, we Salesians have to put away with any kind of “boss mentality” as well “employee mentality”, only then we can empower lay mission partners to take over our works, especially the schools, guaranteeing the contentious Salesianity of them even if we are not any more principals or in other administrative key positions. Likewise, many problems would not exist, if we as Salesians were more united and supporting the Provincial and the rectors. Unity is a strong witness that let the lay mission partner trust us; as a matter of fact, the lack of unity among us makes the lay mission partner to go on distance from us, having difficulties to put their trust in a lasting relationship and cooperation with us.

Before evening prayer, some special guests from the Salesian family – Salesian Cooperators and Don Bosco Past Pupils – as well as one Jesuit father were joining the Chapter to share some of their experiences and expectations. Similar to us, the Jesuits have made a process of Province Renewal. The Jesuit Fr. Tung presented the method, a 3 to 5 years action plan they used to renew their province as well as pointing out that “renewal means conversion”: renewal would be a spiritual process that is much more than just good for our works.

And as if it was an answer from God to our problem on how to continue the works in our Province with a reduced number of Salesian confreres, the Don Bosco Past Pupils expressed their readiness and willingness to help the Salesians in filling up the posts in our school administration! In fact, there are a lot of resources in our Salesian family group members. A way forward could be to concentrate on animation and formation of lay mission partners, while reassuring stable communities – without giving us to pressure to sit on the administrative posts ourselves. Instead, let us be present among the young and our mission partners, and concentrate on being a nucleus of animation, maybe more by “being” than by “doing”, because the Lord will do whatever He likes through us, if only we offer ourselves to be “there”…

PHOTOS: members of the Salesian Family interacting with the PC 2016 members in the chapel, in the assembly hall and also in the playground

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