Province News, Salesian Youth Movement

SYM SoCal Youth Advisory Gathering: A Day of Community & Family 

By Victoria Figueroa, Coordinator of Salesian Youth Movement USA West 

(Los Angeles, California) – On Saturday, September 20, approximately 40 young people from our Southern California sites gathered for a day of reflection and community building. As a Salesian Youth Movement, our goal is always to create a welcoming space for all young people of our province. We did just that at St Mary’s Parish!

A part of our day was filled with a short activity that allowed the young people to reflect on their connection with the Salesian Charism. The insights provided by the young people were enlightening and opened our eyes to the direction we must take to walk alongside them in their everyday lives.

The following questions provided context and input: If Don Bosco visited our SYM today, what would make him the most proud? What would he challenge us to improve? Here are their reflections:

What would make him most proud?

  • Brotherhood and sense of family in our Salesian Communities
  • Community values and Priority of Relationships
  • Our Love for Him and his Mission
  • The Formation of Salesian Youth Leaders
  • Outreach and our Identity as Missionaries

What would he challenge us to improve?

  • Having a Consistent Opportunity to Gather for Youth & Young Adults, as a Province
  • Stronger Identity and Knowledge of the Salesian Youth Movement
  • Formation for Young People about our Salesian History (Congregation, Region, & Province)
  • Integration of Scripture in our Youth Formation

As you can see, young people in Southern California are proud to be Salesian and it’s up to us, as adults, to meet them where they are at. Our hope for the Salesian Youth Movement is to be a home for young people and give them a space to create a strong Salesian identity.

This event would not have been possible without the planning of Fr. Fabian Cardenas, Gina Robles, Juan Carlos Montenegro, and Luis Chacon. A special thank you to the adults (lay people and Salesians) who were present to accompany us throughout the day. Thank you to the Parish Community of St Mary’s for providing the physical space to hold this event. Lastly, thank you to the young people who made it out on a Saturday to take part in this event. The Salesian sites that were present include:

  • St Mary’s Parish, Boyle Heights
  • Santa Isabel Parish, Boyle Heights
  • Salesian Family Youth Center, Boyle Heights
  • St Dominic Savio Church, Bellflower
  • Don Bosco Tech, Rosemead
  • Salesian Bishop Mora High School, Boyle Heights

VIVA DON BOSCO! VIVA CRISTO REY!