VOCATIONS - THE CROWN OF YOUTH MINISTRY By Fr. Antony Christy sdbChennai, Jan. 25. 24 - 26, January 2011. Don Bosco Provincial House, Mumbai. The Vocation Animation Teams from the provinces of South Asia get together for a two day meeting to reflect on ''Fostering a Culture of Vocations.''
25th January, 2011 the first day of the National Meeting of Vocation Guidance began with the right note struck with the Eucharist celebrated by Rev. Fr. Michael Fernandes sdb the Provincial of the hosting province of Mumbai. Reflecting on the aspect of Guidance, Fr. Michael said it is God, yoU and I getting together in a DANCE (G.U.I.DANCE). That was a resounding echo of the statement of the Rector Major that Vocation Ministry is the fruit of the Salesian Youth Ministry. Speaking at the Inaugural session, he once again insisted on the necessary move a person has to make in his or her vocation - from attraction to possession! 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 ministry a ministry of making meaning for the young to whom we are sent.
Fr. Brian, the delegate for Vocation Ministry, DBYASA reminded the participants of the challenge given by Jesus the Teacher, to look at a person and go beyond who they are to understand what they are capable of being. The other dignitaries who graced the occasion were Rev. Fr. Joe Almeida, the Provincial of Guwahati and Provincial incharge of Vocation Ministry in the SPCSA, Rev. Fr. Maria Charles the Delegate of Youth Pastoral DBYASA and Rev. Fr. Ajoy Fernandes, the Vice Provincial of Mumbai.
The meeting remains promising as we note the input sessions that are on the schedule. Another inspiring attraction is a video conference from the Youth Pastoral Delegate of the Congregation, Rev. Fr. Fabio Attard. Fostering a Culture of Vocations begins with a culture of appreciating one's own. The meeting has a lot to offer on both these counts and the participants began with a hope of making the most of it.