Cachoeira do Campo (Brazil). Il 25 e 26 Aprile 2024, Casa Retiro das Rosas di Cachoeira do Campo, Minas Gerais, hosted the 15 Social Works Teams of Mother Mazzarello Province (BMM), present in the States of Espírito Santo, Goiás, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, and Rio Gerais.
The meeting, with the slogan “Do what the Spirit inspires and the reality requires” was attended by the Directors, Coordinators, Technical Team, and Educators of different realities, who were able to deepen and reflect in order to strengthen the synergy and formation of the Social Works Teams, to be more effective in bringing the Salesian Charism in Social Education. The Provincial, Sister Teresinha Ambrosim, sent her greeting through a video.
Sister Dircione Amorim, Provincial Coordinator for Social Action, coordinated the days, together with Sister Amélia de Assis Castro, Coordinator of the Provincial Team; Sister Ana Maria Cordeiro of Youth Ministry; Cícero Albuquerque of Communication; Sister Regina Carrijo, Provincial Treasurer; and members of the administration team. In addition to experiencing synodality, the presence of this team allowed the members of the Works to strengthen ties and build bridges in this important moment of integration at the provincial level.
The group was joined by a team from the headquarters of Brasilia of Rede Salesiana Brasil (RSB), to offer advice and insights: Sister Silvia Aparecida da Silva, Executive Director, with Eduardo and Cinthia, trainers and advisers of the Pro Network, developed the themes “Work in Pastoral” and “Active Methodologies”.
The following topics were also discussed: “Situation analysis”, with social worker Andréa Braz, and “Social assistance and social education”, with social worker Mariza Brandão. Maria Dantas, coordinator of the RSB project, was also present.
In a fraternal and joyful atmosphere, there were interactive dynamics animated by the same members of all the Works, as well as moments of welcome and prayer on the figure of the Good Shepherd. On 26 April, the World Feast of Gratitude was celebrated in communion with the whole Institute, thanking for the gift of Mother Chiara and for her service of animation.
The event represented an important opportunity for the Works to strengthen their efforts in the areas of greatest social vulnerability, fulfilling the mission of promoting the formation of responsible citizens, protagonists in building a more just and fraternal society, in a Salesian socio-educational climate of conversion, trust, understanding, joy, and love.
Some resonances of the participants: “It was a rich moment of deepening, which strengthens us in the Salesian Charism”; “An excellent opportunity for learning, interaction, integration, and renewed awareness”; “Gratitude for the opportunity to enrich our experience and arouse a restless desire to re-signify our action in the light of the Salesian Charism. And that there would be more ‘restlessness’, more moments of formation!”
