Tokyo, Japan, 11 January 2016 - Two days long Provincial Assembly of confreres in Tokyo, Japan is one of the steps towards the June 5-9, 2016 Provincial Chapter. Not less than 45% of all GIA province Salesians gathered in Tokyo-Chofu for two days 10 - 11th January.
The Discernment process of Japan Provincial Community in view of the reshaping of our Mission started already in November 2014 during the animation visit of the EAO regional councilor who insisted on the 'Culture of Discernment' as the spiritual movement of the whole province. In early 2015 was convoked a special 'Commission for the 6 years provincial planning' that helped all confreres (rectors, provincial council, different sector commissions and reflection in each local community) to become familiar with the discernment culture.
From the beginning of the discernment process was clear that we would like to focus all our strength to the preferential option for the youth in need, the poor youth in the current Japanese society. In order to support this option we are need to invest into the pastoral and spiritual formation of our lay mission partners and renew our vocation culture for the religious vocations.
Two days of the Assembly were started on Sunday with the inspirational talk of Fr. Provincial about the mystics of the discernment and each community received a biblical icon of the GC 27 - Jesus as the Vine Tree and the chasuble of the Year of Mercy - purchased in Rome during the new provincial course 2015.
During the first Assembly day intervened many confreres: Fr. Jacob Hamaguchi (Head of the preparatory commission), Fr. Francis Hamasaki and Fr. Peter Mishima who briefed about the journey during past 12 years and the goals of the Provincial chapter and finally Fr. Michael Urata who shared the fruits of the 3rd provincial survey (32 abundant replies collected) for the Chapter.
On the second day all confreres listened to the talk about newly opened centers for the migrant youth who can't access to the Japan secondary school system. We watched a video presentation of two centers (Tabunka Kyoyo - Open Community Center for multicultural Youth in Tokyo (Arakawa ward and Shinjuku ward). The following sharing raised many positive reflections and suggestions from Salesian principals and Directors of Youth in need social centers. After the group sharing Fr. Provincial offered a converging synthesis and general feedback.
The second Provincial Assembly will be held in the Retreat House of the Caritas Sisters of Jesus in Beppu (Khyushu Island) next 29-30th of April.
We are very grateful to the patient and hard work of the PC Preparatory Commission and also for the warm welcoming of the hosting community of Chofu. Deo Gratias!
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