MELBOURNE: 12th October '04 -- In proximate preparation for the visit of the Rector Major to the Australian province this week, the Pastoral Animation Team (PAT) of the province has produced a CD entitled 'Look up and act with courage'.  It is a collection of resources aimed at the formation of young leaders in Salesian Centres throughout the province.

    The resources are eminently practical and presented through MS Word and Powerpoint formats.  There is no attempt at frill, but simple yet substantial content accessible to the young leaders themselves, accompanied by those responsible for their formation.  In addition to a brief presentation of the person of the Rector Major, and his letter to all members of the Salesian Youth Movement at the beginning of this year, there are resources on the lives of Dominic Savio and Laura Vicuna.

    Following the recommendations of the Rector Major himself to young people in his SYM message, 'Look up and act with courage' presents a three part programme.  The first part includes resources which develop the notion of accepting life as a gift, developing its best aspects with gratitude, and living joyfully.  This is followed by resources under the title of personal relationship with Jesus and life lived in harmony with God.  The material offers young leaders practical ideas to help with meditation, prayer, discernment.

The third and final part develops an openness to society, to service, to solidarity and charity; life lived as a gift to others.  The material presented here draws on male and female models of service and charity likely to be attractive to young Australians.

    The young leaders who meet with the Rector Major during his visit will have been well prepared and formed with the above material, to ensure they gain the most value from their encounter.