Province Youth Ministry Team Renews Hope at Annual Weekend Gathering

By Marisol Becerra

(Berkeley, California) – On December 6-8, 2024, the Province Youth Ministry Team met at Don Bosco Hall in Berkeley, CA, for their annual weekend gathering, a time for camaraderie, collaboration, and spiritual renewal. The event began Friday evening with a social, followed by a time of fellowship and introductions. As the day drew to a close, the group engaged in prayer and adoration, reflecting on the 2025 Strenna and the spiritual significance of Advent. The evening concluded with a beautiful goodnight message from Deacon Damien Ho, SDB, who inspired attendees to find hope in hardship and cultivate a deeper connection with Christ through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

We began the day on Saturday with a Strenna presentation by Fr. John Itzaina, SDB, director of Don Bosco Hall. The theme of the Salesian Strenna for 2025 is “Anchored in hope, pilgrims with young people.” He explained how this message emphasizes the importance of fostering hope as a central aspect of the Salesian mission, especially in accompanying young people in their spiritual and personal journeys. It draws inspiration from two key events: the Church’s Jubilee Year 2025, with its focus on hope as expressed in Pope Francis’ apostolic letter Spes Non-Confundit “Hope does not disappoint”, and the 150th anniversary of Don Bosco’s first missionary expedition to Argentina.

The second portion of the meeting delved into the planning of Pastoral Visitations for 2025. These visits aim to engage the Province Youth Ministry Department in supporting local communities by promoting a deeper understanding and implementation of Salesian youth ministry practices. This collaborative discussion fostered a spirit of unity and shared purpose among the diverse sectors of youth ministry. Following lunch, the team reviewed the standards and benchmarks for Salesian parishes, and each sector had the opportunity to present updates and exciting upcoming events within the province.

In the afternoon, the team visited Corpus Christi parish in San Francisco to attend Saturday evening’s Vigil Mass, concelebrated by newly ordained Fr. Jhoni Chamorro, SDB. Following Mass, Fr. Jhoni led a parish tour and a goodnight reflection on the upcoming Feast of the Immaculate Conception. He highlighted the feast’s deep cultural significance in Nicaragua, particularly the popular Nicaraguan saying, “¿Quién causa tanta alegria? ¡La Concepción de Maria!” (“Who causes so much joy?” “The Immaculate Conception of Mary!”). He explained that this joyful exclamation expresses hope, identity, and an invitation to draw closer to Christ through Mary’s intercession. Fr. Jhoni then invited the team to a Nicaraguan celebration of the Immaculate Conception at his uncle’s home, providing the team with a meaningful experience of community, prayer, music, and delicious food.

Overall, this weekend served as an opportunity for the Province Youth Ministry Team to collaborate, recharge, and find renewed hope for their continued service in various Salesian ministries around the province.