Let us join more forces with each other in the style of Don Bosco

By Chihiro OKAWA, EXDB

       Tokyo, Japan, 12 January 2023 -- The Annual Salesian Family Joint Council ONLINE was held on 12 January, involving the representatives from each group of the Salesian Family in Japan: SDB, FMA, SCG [Caritas Sisters of Jesus], ADMA, ASC, EXDB, Unione (EXFMA), and VDB.

       In the two-hourmeeting, each group shared the news of the joys of the past year, the ingenuity with which they have continued their activities despite COVID-19, the challenges for future development, and the goals for the year ahead. Very gratifyingly, as the years go by, we are receiving more and more reports of collaboration across groups.

       Then the Salesians called on the groups to support the young people of the SYM (Salesian Youth Movement) Japan, which is scheduled to expand overseas this year (the World Youth Day Lisbon 2023), invited them to the Salesian Family Spirituality Days starting soon, and introduced this year's Strenna and its draft posters of the Japanese version.

       Fr Provincial Jacob Hamaguchi, SDB concluded, "Each group of our Salesian family in Japan may not be large, but in the spirit of Don Bosco, we can have rich encounters and become a great swell by connecting with the Salesian family beyond the boundaries of the group and around the world. While we look forward to the international exchange experiences the young people of the SYM will have this year, let us join more forces with each other to live the life of Jesus in the style of Don Bosco."

       The meeting finished joyfully with a blessing and the prayer to Mary Help of Christians by Fr Hamaguchi.

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