Family Ministry - Volunteers - Asprants at the center of attention

By Fr. Gary Carbon, SDB

Batulao, the Philippines -- November 9-13, 2016 saw the gathering of East Asia and Oceania Regional Formation Commission and Youth Pastoral Delegates’ meeting in Batulao, Batangas, Philippines.

46 Salesians from 11 provinces and 5 delegations, as well as our 3 general councilors from Rome came to animate the meeting.

It was the first time after 6 years that the Youth Ministry Commission and Formation Commission were having a formation / animation meeting together at regional level.

During the 1st day, everyone gathered together to listen to the presentation of Fr. Fabio Attard (General Councilor for Youth Ministry) on the Journey – Challenges and Opportunities of the Youth based on the newly published book “Salesian Youth Ministry – Frame of Reference”. The whole presentation was a loud call to all youth ministers to make a shift in paradigms in their ministry to the youth. The afternoon session was followed a presentation by Fr. Ivo Coelho (General Councilor on Formation) on our process and work of vocation animation.

The following days saw separate sessions of the formation and youth ministry commissions focusing their attention on their own particular concerns. Youth Ministry began to focus their attention on Family Ministry with discussion and concise presentation on the post-synodal apostolic exhortation of Pope Francis entitled: “Amoris Laetitia – The Joy of Love”.

Towards the end of the whole 4-full day meeting, the whole body came up with several directions / resolution and one of them is to have a formal and systematic collaboration between the formation and youth ministry commissions at provincial level and, secondily, assimilate the contents of the Frame of Reference.

For most of the delegates, it was once again an eye-opener to some developments in their own area of work as well a learning experience.

We all hope that the fruits of this meeting will bring about in us a constant attitude of discernment and listening which will lead us to a genuine and prophetic quality in our service to the young.

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