GENERAL CHAPTER 26

DA MIHI ANIMAS, CETERA TOLLE GIVE ME SOULS, TAKE AWAY THE REST

CHANGE OF ATTITUDES

theme 1 STARTING AFRESH FROM DON BOSCO

“Keep doing all the things that you learnt from me and have been taught by me and have heard or seen that I do” (Phil 4:9)

CHANGE OF ATTITUDES (from…TO….)

a ministry focused on activities to be carried out to a ministry more attentive to encountering the young where they are to be found

a superficial knowledge of Don Bosco to to a serious and committed study of the history, pedagogy, ministry and spirituality of our Father and Founder, and of the reflection of the Congregation

a routine practice in our spiritual life and pastoral work to living the “da mihi animas cetera tolle” as daily prayer and passion.

theme 2 THE URGENT NEED FOR EVANGELISATION

“If I preach the Gospel, this is no reason for me to boast; it is a duty for me. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!” (1 Cor 9:16)

CHANGE OF ATTITUDES (from…TO)

a mentality that favours roles of direct managementto one that favours an evangelising presence among the young

an evangelisation made up of events lacking continuityto a systematic and integrated evangelisation programme

an individualist mentality to a communal style which involves the young, families and lay people in proclaiming Jesus Christ

an attitude of pastoral self-sufficiency to one of sharing in planning by local Churches

considering the effectiveness of our presence in terms of the esteem of others to understanding it in terms of fidelity to the Gospel

a mentality of cultural superiority to one of positive acceptance of cultures different from our own

considering the Salesian Family only as a chance to meet, get to know, and exchange experiences to to a commitment to making it a true apostolic movement on behalf of the young

a model of evangelisation aimed only at transformation of the person to an evangelisation which also looks to transforming social and political structures

NEED FOR VOCATION MINISTRY theme 3

“Look around you, look at the fields. Already they are white, ready for harvest” (Jn 4:35)

CHANGE OF ATTITUDES (from…TO….)

thinking that we are the ones who take the lead in vocation ministry to humbly recognising that we are but mediators of God's action in this regard

a vague and occasional vocational invitation to one of focused and attentive planning that creates a vocational culture

a vocation ministry which we conduct aloneto projects shared with groups in the Salesian Family and with the local Church

setting up vocation ministry as a response to the problem of a lack of vocationsto one where we rediscover the joy of helping young people find out God's plan for them

a mentality where we delegate vocation ministry to a few people to one where we involve every confrère, community and the laity

a vocation ministry which is separate from youth ministry to one understood and experienced as the very crowning of youth ministry

EVANGELICAL POVERTY Theme 4

“If you wish to be perfect, go and sell what you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me” (Mt 19:21)

CHANGE OF ATTITUDES (from…TO….)

a half-hearted apostolic commitment to the unconditional gift of ourselves for the needs of the mission

a theoretical esteem and formal observance of poverty to effective practice and true inner freedom in the spirit of the Beatitudes

a vague understanding detached from the circumstances of poverty to one of concrete solidarity with the poor and a greater commitment to social justice

a local mindset which is closed in on itself to a provincial and global spirit of solidarity

inadequate skills to a more professional approach in administration

management of resources from a proprietary mindset to an awareness that we are stewards of the goods entrusted to us

NEW FRONTIERS Theme 5

“The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me. He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor” (Lk 4:18)

CHANGE OF ATTITUDES (from…TO….)

occasional attention to poor young peopleto lasting and focused projects in their service

a welfare mentality to involving poor young people in being active agents of their own development and active in the social and political field

intervention directed to the victims of injustice to to networking to combat the causes of injustice

a youth ministry insufficiently attentive to family contexts to one of greater investment of energies on behalf of the family

a timid attitude and sporadic presence in media to one of responsible use and a more incisive educative and evangelising animation

a situation of progressive weakening of our works in some countries in Europe to a re-launching of the charism

a tendency to focus on management of works already consolidated to one of courageous and creative flexibility

educative activity which is too self sufficientto networking with whoever has the needs of the young at heart

CHANGE OF ATTITUDES

The End