Newton (United States of America). On April 20 and 21, 2024, twenty members of the Salesian Youth Council, with their adult leaders, met in Newton, New Jersey, at the Sacred Heart Spirituality House to reflect, share and offer their input to the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of the St. Joseph Province (SEC) in future planning.
The Salesian Youth Council is composed of students from the Sisters’ secondary schools, across the United States and Canada. They represent the voice of the young – having been selected as leaders in their respective schools.
The highlight of the weekend was the opportunity for the Youth Council to share with the Provincial Council the results of a survey that hundreds of Salesian youth in the U.S. and Canada completed.
They shared about the dreams, fears, hopes and obstacles currently facing this generation of young people and offered suggestions to the Sisters on what is needed from them, in order to help the young on their journey of holiness.
Ms. Amy Danos, Science Department Head and Campus Minister from Academy of Our Lady, in Louisiana served as one of the adult chaperones. She says, “The Salesian Youth Council gives our young a voice because they are constantly evolving and changing and it’s good for not only the Salesian Sisters but the lay people to hear so we know how to help them with their needs better.”
The group reflected on what it means to be a Catholic in this day and age, enjoyed time to recreate with games and a bonfire, and prayed together, with Fr. Steve DeMaio, SDB, Vocation Director for the Province of St. Philip (SUE), celebrating mass for the group.
Sr. Kathryn Flanagan, Coordinator for Youth Ministry in SEC says, “The Youth Council worked so hard to communicate to the Council what their peers shared about the difficulties and joys of being a young person today.
They also created a comprehensive pastoral plan for the next school year that we hope the entire Province can implement together. It’s important that it comes from them because in this way, they can really feel a part of this plan and make it their own”.
The pastoral plan suggested by the Youth Council for the 2024-2025 school year centers on the dreams of the young people – recalling the famous dream of St. John Bosco that revealed his vocation to him. The Youth Council provided actionable steps for implementing this plan in the elementary, middle and high schools and also designed a logo and sample tee-shirts.
The FMA of the SEC Province are grateful to the young people who participated in the survey and the Salesian Youth Council for their hard work and commitment. Let us continue to dream together!
