By Fr Joao da Costa, SDB

Rome, Italy, 27 May 2016 -- Youth ministry delegates from various Salesian Provinces and Vice-provinces around the globe gathered for an intensive course on youth ministry. This school was organized by the Salesian Youth Ministry department headed by Fr. Fabio Attar with his team Fr. Miguel Angle Garcia, Fr. Daniel Garcia, Mr. Renato Cursi, Mr. Mario Olmos and Mr. Angel Gudiña. There were 66 particpants from 48 provinces, including one lay woman from England. From East Asia Oceania region we had 7 delegates, namely, Fr. Jobet Vivo (FIN), Fr. Joris Calza (FIS), Fr. Joseph Pham Quoc (VIE), Fr. Peter Myo Khin (MYM), Fr. Joseph Nopphadol (THA), Fr. Roger Miranda (PNG-SI) and Fr. Joao da Costa (ITM).

This event began in the morning of the 16th of May with the opening remarks from the Rector Major Fr. Angel Fernandes Artime, SDB. On the 24th of May the delegates were given chance to celebrate the Feast Day of Mary Help of Christians with the Rector Major, Salesian Family members and many young people in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians Valdocco, Turin.

The course lasted for two weeks. Various topics were discussed in different sessions in the morning and in the afternoon. The main topic of discussion in this event was “The Salesian Youth Ministry Frame of Reference”. The methods being used were lectures, personal studies and reflections, group works and group discussions. The participants were distributed into different groups based on languages. At the end of the day, the participants were expected to come up with personal portfolio of the day. Aside from the above mention activities, there were also other activities such liturgical celebration in various languages, social night in order to strengthen camaraderie and friendship among the delegates.

This event was a very fruitful and enriching experience. It clarified the significant role of the youth ministry delegate as an important collaborator of the provincial in carrying out the mission for the young people. Since the participants were from different provinces, hence in the sharing during the sessions we could really have a global vision of the congregation. We come to appreciate good works that our Salesian confreres are doing around the world even with so much difficulties. Aside from that, this school provided an experience of brotherhood where in language barrier was conquered with our salesian family spirit.

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