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Kolkata, Feb. 6. Annual meeting of the Vocational Guidance Commission of the South Asia region was held at Don Bosco Nitika, Kolkata from 5-6 February. 15 delegates from 9 provinces of the South Asia region took part in the meeting. The participating provinces were Mumbai, Kolkata, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, New Delhi, Panjim and Silchar. The two day meeting focused on `The Nuances of Vocational Guidance`, and was animated by Fr. Ajoy Fernandes, the Vice Provincial of Mumbai province.
Fr. Nirmol Gomes, Provincial of Kolkata Province officiated at the opening Eucharistic celebration. In his keynote address, he warmly exhorted each delegate not to be afraid to propose to the youngsters in our institutions the `beauty and variety` of our Salesian way of life. “Our communities are powerhouses of vocation,“ he said emphatically. He added, “We need to nurture an apostolic sense among our students and create communities of invitation.“ His passion for nurturing vocations among the young could be seen through his many personal testimonies of accompanying the young.
After the keynote address all the Vocation delegates presented their province reports. Once could sense a feeling of gratitude to the `Lord of the harvest` for the phenomenal outreach by all the vocation promoters who amidst all odds took their responsibility seriously. Best practices and challenges were also shared and discussed.
Fr. Ajoy Fernandes empowered the Vocation promoters to `walk the extra mile` during his session. Fr. Fernandes set the foundations right when he stressed on understanding the four dimensions of our Salesian Ministry and highlighted that Vocational Guidance was the crown of our Youth ministry. Using his expertise, he proposed how guidance and counselling are important ingredients in accompanying the young to discover their calling in life. Drawing insights from Levinson, Fowler and Parks, Fr. Fernandes drew attention to a `Vocation Accompaniment Model` and `Positive Indicators for Religious Life“. The first day ended with the delegates spending an evening of fellowship and dinner with the Salesian community at Don Bosco, Liluah.
The second day began with a pilgrimage to the tomb of Bl. Mother Teresa of Kolkata. The delegates prayed a rosary around her tomb. Fr. Fernandes then presided over the Eucharistic celebration. A quick visit to the museum, her room and a surprise gift of her `sacred relic` was the brain child of Fr. James Mathew, Vice Provincial of Kolkata province.
Three topics covered on this day were : Understanding career guidance, Marriage as a vocational choice, and Preparing a regional educational pastoral plan for Vocational Guidance. The participants shared a lot of possibilities for enhancing the Vocational Guidance Commission of the Salesian Provincial Conference of South Asia (SPCSA), and giving it a broader perspective for the coming years. A number of objectives, strategies and lines of action were also proposed.
Fr. Fernandes` animation was highly appreaciated by the participants. Thanking him Fr. Parthiban said, “Your sessions were deeply insightful and yet so practical. Your own years of personal reflection, research and experience added real quality to the entire presentations.“ Fr. Maxim added, “I have been attending these meetings regularly, but for the first time in ten years, I have been given a new perspective towards Vocational Guidance.“
Fr. Glenford Lowe, SPCSA Delegate for Vocational Guidance Commission thanked the Province of Kolkata for hosting this meeting, and in a special way Bro. Lawrence Mondol for coordinating the entire logistics and hospitality services of the two day meeting. The delegates attested that from the very outset they felt the warm welcome and hospitality of the Salesian confreres in this `city of joy`
