Dear Confreres and Friends,
This time I greet you from our new Headquarters at the Sacro Cuore in Rome. During the month of September I visited several provinces (MEG, ECU, BOL, ARS, ARN, URU) and witnessed the continued growth regarding communications in all of them. I tell you three experiences that I consider to be very significant for all of us and also to stimulate the integral and constant growth of communication in your Provinces.
The first experience took place at the Ongoing Formation Center of Quito, Ecuador, from 10th to 14th September. The SC Delegates from the two regions of America met to have two days of salesianity inputs and three days for communication themes. Our reference was in Don Bosco and Valdocco as the roots of Salesian charism, mission and communication. Only with our own identity can we become alternatives and ways towards building up a culture of encounter, focusing on the person- the young- and offering them what is good, beautiful and true in our communications. Three resolutions were made at this meeting: to develop a communication formation plan for Salesians and laity in the two regions of America; produce the video "Salesians America" with common material; have a web space for all the Delegates of the Continent. I am very grateful to the staff of the Formation Center who, in addition to the fraternal welcome, accompanied us in a masterly way.
The second experience took place in Muyurina, Bolivia, in the presence of 55 people working in different areas of communication. The Province, continuing a process initiated last year, wanted to conclude its communication plan integrating the structures and the areas and other sectors of the Mission, including also some representatives of the Salesian Family. This province is characterized by the presence of "Community Radios". To this theme we spent a day and a half trying to integrate identity, mission, new technologies and new languages of communication. The second part was devoted to the implementation of the SSCS in the Province, to the drafting of the Provincial Plan of Social Communication for later presentation to the Provincial and his Council, to the promotion of the Manual on the Corporate Logo and to the strengthening of the identity of the Salesian presence in social networks. The personal commitment of the participants and the representatives of the sectors of the Mission ensures the consolidation of the collaboration for the youth and popular mission.
A third experience, with a futuristic vision and novelty, had taken place in the Province of Uruguay where the Salesians and their collaborators have asked themselves: How to evangelize and educate in a secular, digital society with such diversity of youths? For a quite a time, the Youth Ministry and the Communication sectors have collaborated closely with various initiatives in which young people are the protagonists, accompanied by adult educators - evangelizers. This time the theme that united the Salesians and lay people to reflect together was the "pastoral religious marketing" that casts away self-centeredness and puts the other and their deep need for meaning at the center: listening to understand their desire, communicating in a personal way, and accompanying them according to their own rhythm of life. A method that is beginning and needs to be deepened, but it also expects our openness and change of mentality, because the youth and culture have changed significantly.
Best regards to all, from me and the Communication Team.
Fr. Filiberto González > > > www.sdb.org |
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