From the Desk
of Provincial Youth Ministry
The year 2008 had been a year of multiple events
that enhanced occasions to celebrate, moments
to reflect and programs that empowered our life
and personality. It was also a year of planning,
evaluation and programming for the future. Let
me just bring before you some of the events
of importance that shed some light on the spectrum
of youth ministry from the point of view of
the recent renewal program in the congregation
– GC 26.
A. THE VIITH REGIONAL
MEETING OF THE COMMISSION FOR YOUTH MINISTRY
FOR THE REGION OF AFRICA AND MADAGASCAR
The 7th annual meeting of the regional commission
of the delegates of provinces for youth ministry
for Africa and Madagascar took place at Keür
Don Bosco of Dakar, Senegal from the 26th to
the 30th of September. Twelve delegates out
of thirteen were present (except the one for
Madagascar). This first meeting of the commission
after the GC26 has seen the participation of
Fr. Fabio Attard, general counsellor for youth
ministry, Fr. Guillermo Basañes, Regional
for Africa and Madagascar, Fr. José Antonio
Vega, provincial of ATE, delegate for the CIVAM
council for youth ministry, Fr. Manuel Jiménez,
provincial of AFO and Fr. Dominic Sequeira,
from the youth ministry department.
CONCLUSIONS &
PRIORITIES PROPOSED FOR EVERY SALESIAN SETTING
1- Formation in
the Salesian charism for Salesians and lay people
who share responsibility for the mission.
2- Value education: peace, justice, democracy,
human rights, dialogue, true love, honesty,
etc.
3- Promotion of qualitative catechesis, diversified
faith itineraries of Christian initiation, religious
education and group mentoring and companionship
in collaboration with the local churches. Production
of resources that will help faith itineraries
and formation.
4- Working towards a vocational culture together
with the formation of spiritual guides and mentors.
More focus on family ministry in its diverse
forms.
Every Province was asked to
take up these Priorities (one or two as the
Province deems them fit) and integrate them
into the Provincial Youth Ministry Plan. This
was subsequently approved by the CIVAM Provincials
in their meeting in Nairobi.
In AFE we have taken the following two priorities
as they were strongly recommended by our communities
and the PC 4:
1. Formation in the salesian
charism for salesians and lay people who share
responsibility for the mission.
2. Promotion of qualitative catechesis, diversified
faith itineraries of Christian initiation, religious
education and group mentoring and companionship
in collaboration with the local churches. Production
of resources that will help faith itineraries
and formation.
B. Itineraries
of Faith
We would like to acknowledge
the various interesting initiatives that are
already in place – Fr. Provincial has
already prepared a manual for Confirmation Tanga
na Upepo, Fr. Jose Vettom has been preparing
some interesting modules for christian formation
of Adults in Nzaikoni Parish, Fr. George Kocholickal
has a formation programme for the Christian
laity in the Philothea Formation centre, Fr.Henry
Tucholski has already finished compiling a Catechism
book for preparing Adolescents for the sacrament
of Confirmation and Fr. Matthew Puthumana has
prepared some manual for Catechists. Currently
Fr. Christopher Owzcarek is engaged in preparing
a 20 module formation programme for youngsters
of Secondary Schools. This will be a parallel
programme for faith formation as SCAFFOLDINGS
is for Human Formation (Christian Life Skills).
C. Training
of Young Leaders in Parishes
We are planning for a 10 days
Training Session for Youth Leaders in the Parishes
of 4 Dioceses in the Southern Tanzania. We have
already finished one in the Diocese of Songea.
We are trying to use the Scaffoldings (Chuo
cha Maisha) for this 10 days session. Currently
a similar programme is going on in 4 parishes
of the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam. With these
4 we have reached out to 10 city parishes of
Dar es Salaam and those benefited are about
450 youth. Thanks to Fr. Selvam, we have created
an impact and there is a big demand for this
program from many parishes. The interesting
aspect of this program is that the training
is done by young people themselves. These young
Trainers are called YOUTH FOR YOUTH. A similar
program could be organized in the Kenyan Region
as well.
Youth Ministry Delegate,
AFE
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