1. EMPATHY They were like sheep without a shepherd…

2. Empathy in as Gift of the Spirit  Both Testaments are filled with words of love, compassion, pity, mercy, care and kindness.  It is an integral part of spirituality and living in God.  Love is a supernatural gift from God rather than the product of human efforts. It is the highest spiritual gift (I Corinthians 13:13), and an unmistakable mark of a spirit-filled life (Galatians 5:22). It is God’s love in our hearts (Romans 5:5) that enables us to love God and love others.

3. …It is being like Christ  Compassion comes from imitation of Christ. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthews 9:36).  Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).

4. Go and do likewise…  Compassion is based on empathy. Self-love provides the criterion for loving others: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew19:19). This connectivity is more clearly expressed in the golden rule:  …“In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

5. Christ of the Gospel the Source of our spirit  …Predilection for the little ones and the poor…  …Preoccupation of the Good Shepherd who wins hearts by gentleness and self-giving… (art. 11)

6. For you I work…For you I live…  Special gift of God: Predilection for the young.  Love for youth, as expression of pastoral charity, which gives meaning to our whole life. (art. 14)

7. Spirit governed by the heart…  Salesian is open and cordial, ready to make the first approach and to welcome others with unfailing kindliness, respect and patience.  To love as a father, brother and a friend… (# 15)  Relationships not governed by rules but by faith and the promptings of the heart. (# 16)

8. I am at home in your midst…

9. Giving of oneself…  “genuine caring” “feeling someone’s pain” “perspective taking” “truly understanding something from the other person’s point of view”  Empathy is the most radical of human emotions. – Gloria Steinem

10. Feeling for another…  Empathy is the capacity to think and feel oneself into the inner life of another person. - Heinz Kohut

11. Getting into another’s situation  Empathy is the ability to identify and understand another’s situation, feelings and motives.  It’s our capacity to recognize the concerns other people have. Empathy means: “putting yourself in the other person’s shoes” or “seeing things through someone else’s eyes”.

12. Preventive System & Empathy  It is spiritual and educational experience  It is a spontaneous expression of love inspired by the love of God who provides… who is present… and who saves.  It permeates our love for God, dictates our manner of living in community.  It is exercise of charity that knows how to make one loved.

13. Listening is Giving…  Listen – truly listen to people. Listen with your ears, eyes and heart. Pay attention to others’ hidden emotions behind what they are saying to you, and to the context.  Don’t interrupt people. Don’t dismiss their concerns offhand. Allow people their moment.  Tune in to non-verbal communication. This is the way that people often communicate what they think or feel.

14. Empathy is communicating feelings  Practice the “93% rule”. When communicating about feelings and attitudes, words – the things we say – account for only 7% of the total message that people receive.  Use people’s name. It is reaching the heart.  Be fully present when you are with people. Put yourself in their shoes.  Smile at people.

15. Show you care…  Encourage the youth, particularly the quiet ones. It builds people’s confidence.  Give genuine recognition and praise. When you give praise, spend a little effort to make your genuine words memorable.  Take a personal interest in people. Show young that you care, and genuine curiosity about their lives. Ask them questions about their hobbies, their challenges, their families, their aspirations.

16. Empathy satisfies the Giver and Receiver  The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy. –Meryl Streep  True contentment comes with empathy. –Tim Finn

17. Reasons of the heart  Some people think only intellect counts: knowing how to solve problems, knowing how to get by, knowing how to identify an advantage and seize it. But the functions of intellect are insufficient without courage, love, friendship, compassion and empathy. –Dean Koontz

18. Good Shepherd: Our Model