by Luis Chacon

Last Saturday, April 21, 2024, the Province Youth Ministry Team gathered with Fr. Hugo Orozco, SDB, who serves as the Regional Councilor for the Inter-America Region. In this role, he helps strengthen the ties between the provinces and the Rector Major and his council, thus enriching the shared vision and mission of the Salesian congregation across borders.

Led by Fr. Fabian Cardenas, SDB, the Province Delegate for Youth Ministry, and the Salesian Youth Ministry Office, the meeting highlighted the community’s strong commitment and passion for helping young people.

The session started with guidance from Fr Hugo, who encouraged everyone to think about the basics of an Organic Pastoral. In his impactful talk, he pointed out the need to move from focusing on individuals to adopting more complete methods. He explained that real pastoral success requires a thorough understanding of history and a shared commitment to ongoing study and reflection.

Inspired by the story of Fr Luis Bolla, a missionary who worked in the jungle, Fr Hugo talked about the model of the Good Shepherd. In this unique setting, without traditional sheep but surrounded by a group of monkeys, a leader protects the group from potential dangers. Through this story, Fr. Hugo vividly showed the self-giving nature of Jesus Christ, who sacrificed His life for humanity.

The meeting continued with the sharing of Youth Ministry Department Reports. Fr Fabian highlighted the unique traits and challenges of our province, sharing insights from the field of youth ministry over the past four years.

A key moment in the meeting was when the focus shifted to dreams and projects. Fr. Hugo inspired everyone by emphasizing the importance of deep theoretical knowledge in Salesian teaching methods. He encouraged using the academic resources available in our region, especially in Berkeley. Also, he recognized the valuable practical-pastoral dimension provided by the Salesian formation center in Quito, Ecuador.