First INP SYM Central Team Meeting Held

Ralin De Souza

15 Jan 2023

Salesians

Salesian Youth Ministry (SYM) of the Salesian Province of Panjim (INP) held its first Central team meeting comprising of Dimension Heads and Heads of the various commissions, sectors and services in the province for the first time today on January 14, 2023, a meeting of over four hours in the provincial house, at Odxel, Goa, to understand and initiate the SYM-INP co-relation and operating process.

With the encouragement of the Provincial, Father Clive Telles, and a prior encounter of the Dimension Heads, the Salesian Province of Panjim has in good faith and earnest spirit, begun the process to understand deeply the SYM: Frame of Reference, and understand it further in the light of the Educative-Pastoral Model, as presented by Don Miguel Angel Garcia Morcuende, in his book, EDUCATION is a matter of Hearts. All the dimensions heads and commissions heads were represented at this first encounter-of shorts, with 15 Salesians involved in this exercise leadership.

After a brief welcome and a prayer by Vice Provincial, Father Banzelao Teixeira, each dimension head shared their own experience in the leadership and animation of the sector entrusted to them. The Youth Ministry delegate for INP, Father Ralin De Souza, then presented the first chapter as initial reflection to the meeting. This was followed by a reflection of the Salesian Youth Ministry as practiced in the province today, in comparison to the proposal of the ‘Educative-Pastoral Model’ as proposed by the Salesian Society and interpreted in the light of the first Salesian model – the Valdocco Experience. With brief interactions at each interval, the four dimension heads, presented the role of the Dimension Head, and how the proposed animation was expected to unfold in the process of planning and moving forward in a unified manner in the province.
The concluding moments, stretched beyond the scheduled time as each member of the meeting shared honest reflections on the issues and values we would need to focus on, to sincerely implement the SYM Model, being faithful to Don Bosco and our times in the presence we are placed. It was obvious that we would need to begin in all earnest to build up networks and tools for animation, which would only happen if we dared to collaborate. The group did admit to a few hitches and fears, but that we need to put our heads and hearts together – there was no doubt.
Vice-Provincial, Father Banzelao, concluded the meeting with his closing comments, and it was felt that we need to work ourselves to start sincerely, with the SEPP.
To conclude, it was a healthy atmosphere, where we felt we have a lot to do, and that we need to do it together.