The Dream that inspires
Port Moresby, PNG, 6 October 2023 -- The second Practical Trainees formation was from the 28th to 30th September 2023 at the Salesian Provincial house in Port Moresby.
On the first day of the workshop on Salesian Pedagogy and Spirituality, the brothers were welcomed by their Provincial Superior, Fr Gregory Bicomong Jr., and shared their experiences of practical training.
The first session on Don Bosco’s dream at nine years of age was focused on the Rector Major’s Strenna for 2024. In the reflection given by Fr Pedro, the brothers were reminded once again that the mission entrusted to Don Bosco and to his Salesians is a mission that consists of the young, a seemingly impossible mission, the maternal mediation of Mary in difficult moments and the importance of seeking to be strong, humble and energetic as stated in the document presented to the brothers.
The brothers were reminded by Fr Pedro that the dream at nine is an invitation to challenge and invite the young to dream, to align one’s dream to God’s dream because we are sons of Don Bosco, a dreamer.
The second day of the workshop focused on the Preventive System and Salesian Assistance. In the first session, Fr Shoji spoke about the difference between the Repressive system and the Preventive system and how the latter’s aim is the education of the young through reason, religion and loving kindness.
Among the many points shared in the talk, Fr Shoji encouraged the brothers to treasure the preventive system because through reason we can be reasonable in dealing with the young. Through religion we give importance to our spiritual practices, and through Loving kindness we can guide the young and give correction.
The final session on Salesian assistance was given by Mr. Martin Dai, principal of Don Bosco Technical School - Gabutu. In his presentation, he gave emphasis on Salesian assistance as an animating presence. “It is a presence that is welcoming, motivating, personal, challenging, emphatic, incarnation creative, innovative, preventive and corrective” he states.
Mr. Martin also pointed out to the brothers that our presence with the young is not so much ours, but God’s presence. “Our assistance helps the young to not commit faults only but it also saves us” he said. Salesian assistance is a sharing of life with the young, our joys and sorrows. It is an opportunity to learn about the young entrusted to us, thus the need to be constant and be welcoming. His insights and sharing on Salesian assistance as a lay Salesian educator for so many years was well appreciated by the brothers.
On the last day of the workshop, the brothers gave their evaluation and ended the workshop with a wonderful outing to share and enjoy their company before going back to their various settings recharged and ready with the dream that inspires.
