ANIMATION PROGRAMME
From 30 June to 02 July 2016, an animation programme for the young priests was conducted at Don Bosco Institute of Development and Leadership (DBIDL) Dimapur, animated by Fr. Glenford Lowe sdb, the delegate for Youth Ministry, Mumbai. In all 27 young priests attended the programme. Fr. Glenford in his homily spoke on holistic development of a human person by concentrating on the “4 Zones”- viz., “Mind Zone”, “Communication Zone”, “Mission Zone” and “Spiritual Zone”. The animator used various methods viz., audio-visual media, party games, hand-outs, group discussions, group activities, et al. Welcoming each one warmly, Fr. Bosco, Vice-Provincial said that a Salesian is not expected to do the same thing over and over again and expect different results. On the first day Fr. Glenford spoke on “Youth Assumption: A Clarification”, “Holistic Youth Ministry”, “Youth Leadership: A Practical Session”, and “Youth Ministry: A Salesian Response.” He encouraged the participants to focus on the young and involve them in our youth ministry. On the second day Mass was celebrated by Fr. Nestor Guria, Provincial of Dimapur Province. In his homily he spoke on the Salesian consecrated life as a relationship with self, God and our people specially the young who are most in need. Basing on the day’s Gospel he said every-
one felt at home in Jesus’ company. On this day Fr. Glenford spoke on “Salesian Youth Ministry: Frame of Reference”, “A Journey with the Young: The Interior Journey”, “Province Youth Ministry: An Overview”, and “Planning Youth Ministry: A Commitment.” Good Night talk was given by Fr. Provincial in which he spoke on Valdocco as the permanent criterion for Youth Ministry (Con.40). On the third day the Eucharist was celebrated by Fr. Bosco, the Vice-Provincial. In his homily he said that like prophet Amos we need to play the prophetic role in the lives of the young who are being carried away by the media and are in danger of losing their soul. We should tell them that God has not lost hope in young people. On this day guided by Fr. Provincial, Fr. Vice-Provincial and Fr. Sunny Minj, the participants dealt with “The Concerns on Youth Centres” and “Youth Ministry at Local and Provincial Level”, and “General Discussion and Conclusions.” Finally Fr. Provincial reminded the confreres that we are not ‘Youth Workers’ but ‘Youth Animators’, that we need to be clear about our identity as Salesians and priests. He exhorted the confreres to see the “three vows” as relationship, to take care of their personal and community prayer life, to get into a planning mentality, to have council meetings regularly in the houses, to accompany and to help the young confreres to grow and learn in their journey towards Salesian life. - Fr. Blasius Tete, Shillong
Dimapur Links: July - August 2016
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