BIS #2249 VOCATION GUIDANCE MEETING

Fr. Brian Moras sdb

MATUNGA, FEBRUARY 1, 2011: The ‘Vocation Guidance Teams’ from the provinces of South Asia got together from January 24 to January 26, 2011, at Don Bosco Provincial House Mumbai, for a meeting to reflect on ``Fostering a Culture of Vocations.``
The Holy Eucharist on January 25, was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Michael Fernandes sdb, the Provincial of the hosting Province of Mumbai. He spoke of the emphasis of the congregation that Vocation Ministry is the fruit of the Salesian Youth Ministry. He extended a warm welcome to the participants and invited each one to make the two days available into an experience of dialogue and discovery towards making the Vocation Guidance Ministry- a meaning for the young to whom we are sent.
 
At the inaugural address, Fr. Brian, the coordinator for Vocation Guidance Ministry, DBYASA reminded the participants of the challenge given by Jesus our Teacher, to look at a person and go beyond who they are, to who they were capable of being. The other dignitaries who graced the occasion were Rev. Fr. Joe Almeida, the Provincial of Guwahati and Provincial in charge of Vocation Guidance Ministry in the SPCSA, Rev. Fr. Maria Charles the Delegate for Youth Ministry, DBYASA and Rev. Fr. Ajoy Fernandes, the Vice Provincial of Mumbai Province.
 
The sessions reflected upon were “Accompanying the Young towards making a Life Choice” and “Assessing the Suitability of Candidates for Religious Life” with Fr. Ajoy sdb as the resource person. ‘Importance of Networking in the Vocation Guidance Ministry’, was taken by Fr. Maria Charles sdb and ‘Challenges in the Vocation Guidance Ministry and Possible Solutions’ by Fr. Joe Almeida sdb. Another attraction was an inspiring video conference with the Youth Pastoral Delegate of the Congregation, Rev. Fr. Fabio Attard, from Rome.
 
The Provinces came prepared for the meeting with a seven minute presentation on the ‘Vocation Guidance Ministry being carried out in their respective Province’. This helped in sharing out success stories and best practices which could be modeled in the other Provinces.
  
As a conclusion to the event, Fr. Brian stressed on sharing the information of the meeting with the Confreres in the Province. He further stressed on the need to form a vocation guidance team in the Provinces and to get in touch and share information via the ‘Vocation Animation South Asia Google Group’. He thanked Fr. Christy Anthony who began this Google group, which was in operation since the last year’s meeting in Chennai. Fr. Christy Anthony also kept the minutes of the present meeting.
  
Finally each Province met and discussed three practical things they would do to carry forward the vocation guidance ministry in the Province, which was further shared with the participants of the meeting.

In conclusion Fr. Maria Charles proposed the vote of thanks.