By Marisol Becerra, Province Youth Ministry Assistant

(Bellflower, California) – Last week, I had the great opportunity to attend the NFCYM Exchange meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. NFCYM’s Exchange is a nationwide gathering that unites ministry leaders, volunteers, supporters, and organizations that serve young people. Sr. Sydney Moss, FMA,  and  Sr. Guerline Joseph, FMA, represented the Salesian sisters. JC Montenegro, PhD, the provincial Delegate for Mission Animation, was also present, working on the Accompaniment project with the federation.

This event offered a chance to build and strengthen connections, enhance knowledge and skills, and receive both personal and professional support through inspiring prayer experiences and moments of networking and joy. The meeting schedule for each day was centered around Listen, Teach, Send: A National Pastoral Framework for Ministries with Youth and Young Adults. Each day was dedicated to a different aspect of this framework. 

Engaging breakout sessions, such as “Listening in Diverse Contexts” and “LGBTQ Ministry and a Pastoral Response, ” provided an opportunity for each region to meet and discuss ministry challenges and best practices. 

During the conference, some resources and statistics were given that displayed the reality of youth today within the Catholic Church. I was grateful for the opportunity to gather resources to eventually share with the ministry leaders from the province. This meeting also created the opportunity to provide Salesian insights during small group discussions.

It was amazing to connect with so many ministry adults who share the same mission of reaching young people. Too often, we work in isolation or within our communities, forgetting that others face similar challenges and joys in ministry today. 

This gathering also provided a wonderful opportunity to inform others of the different Salesian works and share the essence of the Salesian charism.