Glasgow (Scotland). From 1 to 12 July 2024, at Easterhouse House in Glasgow, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of St. Thomas of Canterbury Province (GBR), with the collaboration of the Salesians of Don Bosco, volunteers, and some parishioners, organized summer activities for children on the theme “Dream Tok”.
“This is your field,” the words addressed to Johnny Bosco by the “Beautiful Lady” in the Dream at 9 years of age, are also the message sent today to each member of the Salesian Family. Thus, the FMA of the GBR Province are committed and continue to work together every day in that field. A large field that has had exceptional harvests and that is preparing for ‘new harvests.’
The Salesian atmosphere pervaded the Community during the days of the summer camp, in which the FMA – Sister Bernadette Cassidy, Sister Anne Frances McNamee, Sister Gillian McCambridge – together with the volunteers, spent significant time among the children, listening to the stories of their dreams, thoughtfully preparing the days, participating with them in the activities, and bringing enthusiasm and their cheerful and cordial presence, moved by the da mihi animas coetera tolle.
Every day, before starting the group activities, the children listened to a good thought to start a new day full of energy in the joy, liveliness, and simplicity that distinguishes children. Organizers and participants had fun together. The activities in a circle with different games gave fantastic moments, in which a smile always shone on everyone’s face.
In addition, in the workshops, the children learned to play musical instruments, make cakes, crafts, etc. In each activity, the children were attentive in listening to the instructions, in order to finish the crafts that they then used as gifts for their family members, the Sisters, the volunteers, friends or loved ones. Even if those artifacts were not perfect from an artistic point of view, they were extraordinary for the love that the children put into preparing them.
The same grateful heart helped the children to live moments of silence with Jesus Eucharist, pausing before Him after each day. During that encounter, we thought back to the day spent together, to thank Him and tell Him about the moments lived or the commitments made as a group.
Two weeks of summer activities were spent in joy and gratitude; grateful to God and grateful to each other. “Dream Tok” continues its journey and its mission in the lives of children, sisters, and volunteers. The beautiful experiences and moments together in the Salesian style, the concerns and projects that we want to realize with the young people in this field are all dreams of God, to which the FMA of the GBR Province tend, through the intercession of Mary Help of Christians.
The success of “Dream Tok” gives us hope that “a new harvest” will arrive, for which they are preparing together with other members of the Salesian Family.
Summer Missionary Experiences 2024
