K’Long, Vietnam – In two days, January 13-14, 2018, a workshop on social communication was held at the Salesian community of K’Long by the Association of Salesian Cooperators, Vietnam Province. Around 30 participants from different Salesian settings took part in this event.
On the first day, Mrs. Mary Tran Thi Minh Thu, president of the Association of Salesian Cooperators, gave the opening speech. Then, it was followed by Fr. Joseph Pham Quang Minh, vice rector of the Retreat Center of K’Long, who emphasized the significance of social communication in the life of Salesian cooperators, in the apostolate of the Association and with the Salesian Province as well. He invoked the Holy Spirit and blessings of Mary, Help of Christians, upon all participants.
There were exiting group discussions on different topics such as “What is social communication?” or “What are the lines of action for Salesian cooperators for effective social communication?”
The participants were substantially enriched by the presentation of Mr. Roco Le Huu Phuoc, vice president and social communication In-Charge of the Association of Salesian Cooperators. Mr. Le, who is also a journalist himself, gave talks on different topics like A Short History of Social Communication, Goals of Social Communication, and Techniques of Writing an Article. His presentation was illustrated by vivid examples and pictures.
To acquire practical skills, the participants were asked to write articles.
In the afternoon, Mr. Joseph Nguyen Ngoc Hiep, a member of the Commission on Social Communication of Dalat Diocese, instructed the participants on how to operate digital cameras in professional ways and the art of photography. He had a special topic on how to take pictures during religious gatherings. He gave these remarks, “whenever you take pictures during these gatherings, you should always have purposes and messages in mind.”
Interestingly, the participants were offered opportunities to take real pictures and received useful comments from Mr. Nguyen and Mr. Le.
The vesper was ended with the Good Night Talk by Fr. Joseph Minh, SDB. The evening session was allotted to launching a social communication team under the Association of Salesian Cooperators. And each Salesian setting is represented by a member in this team for the coordination at the Provincial level.
On the second day, Sunday 14, 2018, Fr. Peter Pham Van Chinh, Provincial Councilor for Social Communication, presided over the Eucharistic celebration. In his homily, Father Peter appealed to Salesian cooperators, particularly those who are directly involved in social communication activities, to respond to God’s invitation, to remain in Him, to be united with Him and to spread the Gospel to people, particularly to the young.
In the morning session, Fr. Peter Chinh shared with the participants several topics such as Vision and Mission of Salesian Social Communication; Provincial Projects in Social Communication from 2018-2020; Role, Organization and Operation of Salesian Social Communication.
Afterward, the participants were divided into groups for discussion and made plans for each Salesian setting of cooperators. The participants also put several proposals and suggestions forward, such as creating a Fanpage – Facebook and a website for Salesian Cooperators Association of Vietnam Province. There were suggestions for organizing more seminars and workshops in social communication for Salesian cooperators. The participants were aware of the significance of social communication not only as channels for sharing news and pictures but also as venues for interaction and mutual support in their life and mission.
The participants posed questions and expressed their expectations to Father Peter during the open forum and received his well-thought responses. He promised that he would plan with the Social Team of the Association of Salesian Cooperators to organize more seminars and workshops so that more members would benefit from these activities. Social communication is meant to spread joy and peace to beneficiaries as well as convey the message of love of Christ.
Although the workshop took place only in 2 days, the participants were able to grasp essentials of social communication due to professionalism and zeal of the speakers.
The organizers hope that the participants will be able to put into practice what they have learned and benefit others, particularly the young. Hopefully, this workshop helps foster a better coordination among Salesian cooperators of different settings and with the Salesian Province as well. May it also enable Salesian cooperators to progress in their apostolate and mission.
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