Bollington (Great Britain). From 28 to 30 December 2023, in Bollington at the Savio House of the Salesians of Don Bosco, three FMA of the Province of St. Thomas of Canterbury (GBR) – Sister Anne Frances McNamee, Delegate of VIDES UK; Sister Gill McCambridge, and Sister Bernadette Cassidy – held a meeting addressed to the Salesians in formation of the SDB St. Thomas of Canterbury Province (GBR).
The young SDB, originating from different parts of the world, accompanied by Fr. Bob Gardner and Fr. Joe Tran, Delegates for Youth Ministry, were joined by two missionary FMA from Vietnam, Sister Maria Nhung Nguyen Thi and Sister Teresa Dan Tran Ngoc Xuan, currently in the GBR Province.
The formation meeting focused on the presentation of VIDES, the Youth Volunteer Association promoted by the FMA, its principles and aims. The three FMA who led the formation, all members of the Association, also focused on the management of the Salesian camps of VIDES UK in Great Britain, taking into account legal requirements regarding the protection of young people and working with them in an inclusive environment.
The confreres had the opportunity to participate in some practical exercises, preparing workshops, activities, and evenings that can be used according to the theme of the Dream of Don Bosco at 9 years of age, which characterizes the pastoral proposal in the bicentenary year of the Dream (1824-2024).
The involvement was great, given that many of the Salesian confreres had no experience of VIDES and some opportunities for collaboration were created for the realization of the camps for summer 2024.
In addition to the formative moments, there were also times and spaces for prayer together and socialization, in a true atmosphere of joy and family spirit that accompanied the closing of the year 2023 and opened good prospects for the new year.
