By: Marisol Becerra
Youth Ministry Office Assistant

From Friday, September 9th to Sunday, September 11th, the Province Youth Ministry Team gathered in person and on Zoom for the first PYMT Retreat. The retreat began on Friday night with a welcome, social, and introductions. We ended the first day with a prayer and a goodnight from our Provincial, Fr. Mel Trinidad. On Saturday, we began the day with Mass celebrated by Fr. Itchan Laygo, and shortly after, everyone gathered for the first session. 

Mr. Adrian Fulay, the coordinator of youth ministry for Salesian College Preparatory in Richmond, led the presentation on the Strenna for this year, and an adaptation that they are using at that school titled, “Sharing our Gifts, Transforming our World;” called to be leaven for the human family. Afterward, there was a discussion about how the Strenna can be adapted to each site. Our second session was led by Fr. Mel Trinidad and Ms. Gina Robles on the Province Organic Plan (POP) presentation for 2022-2028. After this presentation, everyone gathered for lunch. Shortly after, the team broke out into groups to identify, reflect, plan, implement, and evaluate the sections in the POP related specifically to the Province Youth Ministry Team. There was also a discussion on the Province Pastoral Plan to strategize goals, objectives, and an action plan for this year. During the last session of the day, each department and sector provided updates to share with the team. This day ended with prayer, a goodnight by 

Ms. Melanie D’Souza, and a team outing to have dinner together. On Sunday morning, everyone attended mass, and Fr. Mel Trinidad and Ms. Gina Robles led the closing of the retreat. This weekend was an opportunity for the Province Youth Ministry to get to know each other, work together, and make an action plan to move the province forward with the reflection and implementation of the Province Organic Plan. 

Written by: Marisol Becerra

Province Youth Ministry Assistant 

Present at the Retreat: 

Fr. Mel Trinidad           Provincial 

Gina Robles                       Province Youth Ministry Associate

Marisol Becerra           Province Youth Ministry Assistant 

Juan Carlos Montenegro      Delegate for Mission Animation

Andres Neria                       Social Communication Assistant

Fr. Vien Nguyen           Coordinator of Vocations

Bro. Damien Ho (Zoom)       Salesian in initial formation, Richmond

Bro. Al Vu                       Coordinator of High Schools

Adrian Fulay                       Coordinator of Youth Ministry, Salesian College Prep, Richmond

Shannon McLeod           Coordinator of Youth Ministry, St. Francis College Prep, Watsonville

Luis Chacon                       Coordinator of the Volunteers 

Monica Rosales           Coodinator of Salesian Youth Movement – International Team

Elena Diaz (Accompanying Monica)

Sr. Sydney Moss, FMA (Zoom)        Salesian Sister, TX

Bro. Reegan Ledet (Zoom)              Salesian in initial formation Orange, New Jersey

Alejandra Alvarez (Zoom)   Province Youth Representative San Luis Rey Parish, Laredo, Texas

Victoria Figueroa Province Youth Representative St. Dominic Savio Parish, Bellflower, CA

Peter Nguyen            

Province Youth Representative St. Anthony Youth Group Melanie D’Souza Province Youth Representative SS. PP. Parish, San Francisco, CA