Ayagualo (El Salvador). From 27 to 29 June 2024, at Sacred Heart Spirituality House in Ayagualo, directors, academic coordinators, teachers, Sisters of the Divine Savior (HDS), Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), and Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) of the works of Central America gathered for the meeting of the Central American Region Scholastic Commission, CERCA.
The event on the theme, “Salesian Identity and Global Educational Pact”, was led by the CERCA El Salvador Commission. The Superiors of the three congregations were present: Sister Amarilis Orozco, HDS; Sister Aracely Rodas, FMA of Holy Savior Province, (CAM), Father Julio Navarro, SDB; and Sister María del Carmen Durán, FMA, Vicar of Our Lady of the Angels Province (CAR), representing the Provincial, Sister Sandra Yela.
The main objective of the meeting was to reflect on the pastoral educative work of the CERCA network, based on the guidelines of the Salesian School in America (ESA), to respond to today’s challenges.
The over 80 participants listened to various presentations, including “Salesian Leadership: Reflection and Good Practices”, held by Roberto Damas, director of the University Pastoral Department of Don Bosco University. Other proposed themes were: “The global educational pact seen by our Salesian schools”, presented by Jessie Arroyo, national delegate of CERCA Costa Rica; and “Integral ecology: reflection and good practices”, held by Laurens Torres, Director of Don Bosco Salesian School in Zapote, Costa Rica.
Sister Ana Ofelia Portillo, HDS, shared the theme, “How must the Salesian leader be, inspired by the global educational pact, to respond to the challenges of today’s world?” Father René Santo, SDB, addressed the theme, “The contextualization and journey of ESA”.
Sister Eva Doris Rosales proposed the model of significance that directs towards a common language in the Salesian Schools of America. This model has four dimensions: preventive leadership and Salesian identity, pedagogical and evangelizing management, educative ministry and environment, management of results and significance. The participants had a space for discussion and proposed guidelines of work.
Anabel Doblado Muñoz, academic coordinator of the Secondary School of the Salesian Institute San Miguel of Honduras, expressed the importance to “continue to promote Salesian leadership and cultivate sensitivity towards nature, learning to recycle, so that our new generations may find a cleaner environment.” For his part, Víctor Virgilio Recinos of Don Bosco Salesian School of Guatemala assured that he will commit himself to achieving the objectives proposed for the good of the children and young people of his work.
At the end of the meeting, there was the passage of the CERCA coordination from Sister Eva Doris Rosales, FMA, to Sister Ana Ofelia Portillo, HDS, who will lead the Commission for the next three years.
Source: Bollettino Salesiano Centro America
Photos: Flickr Boletinsalesiano
