Hyderabad, June 18, 2025 — The Province of St. Joseph, Hyderabad successfully convened the Province Leaders’ Meet I from June 16 to 18, bringing together fifty members of council members, rectors, commission heads and parish priests from across the province for a three-day intensive reflection on the final document of the General Chapter 29 (GC29) and to discern the future direction and priorities of the province.

The sessions were jointly facilitated by Fr. Santiagu Thomas, Provincial of the Hyderabad Province, and Fr. Salagala Rajesh, the provincial delegate to the General Chapter 29, held earlier this year from February 16 to April 12 in Turin-Valdocco, the cradle of the Salesian Congregation.

The meet commenced on June 16 with a report on the January 2025 Leaders’ Meet, presented by Fr. Nireekshan, provincial secretary. Fr. Santiagu Thomas then guided the participants through reflections on Core Area One of the GC29 document, emphasizing the centrality of Christ, the care of Salesian vocation, fraternity, attention to the poor, and formation of Salesians. His input, grounded in his lived experience at the General Chapter, inspired deep group discussions. The day concluded with a group presentation and the Holy Eucharist, celebrated by Fr. Santiagu.

On June 17, Fr. Salagala Rajesh animated the day’s sessions focusing on spirituality and shared mission within the Educative-Pastoral Community (EPC), evangelization through education, and emerging expressions of Salesian charism. The sessions enabled collaborative engagement and fostered rich sharing during the evening group presentations.

The final day, June 18, was dedicated to outlining the province’s key priorities. In the process of discernment, the leaders placed strong emphasis on the centrality of Christ and the care for Salesian vocations, neighbourhood outreach to the poor and migrants, and the strengthening of the Salesian presence in the digital world.

An interactive session on faith development and accompaniment was led by Fr. Raja SDB, drawing insights from M. Scott Peck’s stages of faith, prompting personal and pastoral reflection. The Leaders’ Meet concluded with financial and planning reports presented by the Provincial Economy and PDO Office, followed by the presentation of the province’s annual planner.

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