HYDERABAD, March 14: The Salesians and their lay collaborators of the Province gathered for a meaningful moment of reflection during the MPE Province Team Meeting. The focus was not merely on reviewing activities, but on honestly examining how deeply the mission of reaching the poor is lived in everyday ministry.
The community audit, presented by Fr Sarath Parri SDB along with Mr Pranay, became a mirror, inviting everyone to look beyond reports and statistics and to rediscover the heart of the mission. It highlighted the wide range of services offered across communities touching the lives of children, youth, women and families through education, skill development, pastoral care, and social outreach.
Yet, a deeper concern emerged. As Fr Tony Pellissery SDB emphasised during the sharing, many meaningful services often remain unrecognized because they are not formally counted or documented. Acts such as accompaniment, counselling, guidance, and silent support though transformative, are sometimes overlooked. This led to a powerful realization: what is not valued is often what is not seen.
The gathering also reflected on the challenges faced in documentation and reporting. Multiple systems and repeated demands can lead to fatigue, making it difficult to capture the true spirit of the work. There is a growing awareness of the need for a more unified and meaningful way of recording mission efforts, one that reflects both the visible and invisible dimensions of service.
In another moment of reflection, Ms Neha Joseph guided the participants to look at the journey of the mission with renewed clarity, helping them recognize areas of strength while also discerning the gaps that call for deeper commitment.
At the heart of the reflection was a renewed call to authenticity. The mission is not only about reaching many, but about reaching deeply, walking with those who are most abandoned, understanding their struggles, and committing to their long-term transformation.
The participants discerned the importance of focusing on those who remain at the margins, often unseen and unheard. The journey ahead calls for clarity of purpose, sustained commitment, and a compassionate presence that reflects the spirit of Don Bosco.
This audit, therefore, is not an end, but a beginning a step toward rediscovering the essence of the mission. It challenges every community to move beyond activity and to embrace a deeper, more intentional way of serving the poor with love, dignity, and hope.
