``Be Authentic Disciples and Zealous Apostles``- Regional discusses with INM Chapter members
By Fr. Patrick Alphonse |
Chennai, Feb. 5. Fourth day of Provincial Chapter of Chennai 2010 began with the Eucharist celebrating the Feast of St. John D` Britto with the theme of the day ``New Challenges- Called to Relaunch.`` Most Rev. Dr. Soundaraju Perianayagam, Bishop of Vellore, presided over the Eucharist. He drove home a point that we Salesians have to divest ourselves of our old ways of dealing with the urgent needs of the youth today. Self emptying, he emphasised, as one sure way of divesting ourselves. Salesians have to be self-emptying as Christ did to become fully available to the young.
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The INM Provincial Chapter 2010 is well on its way to making a deep examination of its commitment to God, to the Congregation and to the young. The Chapter comprising of both young and elderly confreres has lively discussions, deep insights and far-sighted policies and action plans. Some highlights of the Fourth Day of the Chapter.
Fourth day of Provincial Chapter of Chennai 2010 began with the Eucharist celebrating the Feast of St. John D` Britto with the theme of the day ``New Challenges- Called to Relaunch.`` Most Rev. Dr. Soundaraju Perianayagam, Bishop of Vellore, presided over the Eucharist. In his sermon he quoted an anecdote from `Introduction to Christianity` by Cardinal Ratzinger. He drove home a point saying that we Salesians have to divest ourselves of our old ways of dealing with the urgent needs of the youth today. Self emptying, he emphasised, as one sure way of divesting ourselves. Highlighting various strengths and weaknesses of the young and asked the Congregation to be attentive to Today`s youth who present us with a challenge of their secular theology in which humanity becomes inhumanly idolised. He also asserted that as long as youth of this kind are around Don Bosco and his charism will always be relevant. Salesians have to be self-emptying as Christ did to become fully available to the young.
The morning session began with a prayer service with the use of visual aid, which invited us to renew ourselves by re-evangelising ourselves with the spirit of the Beatitudes- ``Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for Justice, they have stood by those who are oppressed``. In the morning , the members went into their commissions again to re read the corrected version of documents and to give finishing touches to their documents. The members gathered together again for discussing the ``varia`` which includes issues of deep concern for the Province. As expected some issues were discussed at length. They varied from religious discipline to vocation promotion to various projects. The afternoon saw the Chaptermembers gathering to vote on the lines of action drawn by commissions. This process went into late evening and it was heartening to see the members willing to work extra hours to complete the work assigned to them by the Province.
The good night of the day was given by Fr. Maria Arokiam Kanaga, Regional Councillor for South Asia. He shared news about the General Council and the region. He asked the Chapter to discuss more about religious discipline, accountability at the individual and community level. He also quoted the Rector Major saying we should be ``authentic disciples and zealous apostles.`` Earlier during the good night, the Regional was very appreciative of the innovative work done by the Province. He also said that the Rector Major and the General Council have a clear vision and many programmes for the South Asian Region and they would be discussed with the SPCSA General Assembly.
The day ended with a meaningful Rosary service prepared in the context of our work and life in the service of the young.
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