By: Youth Ministry Department

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PYMT Meeting
On November 5th, 2022, the Province Youth Ministry Team gathered to discuss the Province Organic Plan Implementation and the Educative Pastoral Plan. The team then broke out into breakout rooms to discuss the impressions, opinions, concerns on the document and to discuss the most impactful projects in these four areas: Salesian Charismatic Identity, Salesian Formation for and in mission, Accountability to the Structures of Pastoral Planning, and Vocation. There was a general discussion and sharing and the meeting ended with sector updates within the department.

SYLC Meeting
On November 5th, 2022, the SYLC executive team gathered to discuss SYLC 2023 and work on updating the job descriptions for each person during SYLC. There was also a reflection on the theme for SYLC and how it will be related to the Strenna Theme for this year. The SYLC team is very excited to be planning for SYLC next year, and there will be ongoing monthly meetings to make this an amazing conference for everyone involved.

CYM Meeting
On November 8th, there was a coordinators of youth ministry meeting to discuss the schedule for the Rector Major’s visit and updates on the NCYC conference. All the CYM’s were also able to share updates and any special events coming up. These monthly meetings are also a great opportunity to share best practices and to share new ideas from each respective community.

NCYC 2022 in Long Beach, CA
From November 10th-12th NCYC took place at the Long Beach Convention Center. The theme for this conference was “Walking on Water.” We were able to participate in collaboration with the Salesian Sisters of both provinces and the Province Youth Ministry Office in New Rochelle, NY. We displayed an interactive booth that gave participants an opportunity to get to know 5 saints through the Salesian components of Joy and Optimism with St. Dominic Savio, Friendship with Jesus with Bl. Carlo Acutis, Responsible Service with St. Jose Sanchez, Learn to be like Mary with Bl. Laura Vicuña, and through Ordinary life with St. Kateri Tekakwitha. At each of these five stations there were different interactive activities such as a Kahoots game on the Salesians, prayer intentions with Mary, cornhole and ping pong games, puzzles, and reflections. After the teens finished with these stations there was an area where they had an opportunity to make a rosary bracelet. There were also fun giveaways that included pins and patches that displayed Don Bosco’s quote, “Walk With Your Feet on Earth, but in Your Heart, be in Heaven.” We were also able to participate in creating an environment of prayer for the reconciliation room during NCYC. Overall, this NCYC proved to be a fruitful and enriching experience to reach young people and accompany them on their journey through conversation, prayer, and celebration.

Rector Major Introduction Video
In preparation for the rector major visit to our Province in the West, the youth ministry office worked in collaboration with the CYM’s from each community and the social communications department to create a welcome video and introduce who the rector major is and the locations he was visiting. This video was very successful, and we were able to involve young people from our various communities on this project.