Engaging Others in Don Bosco's Dream

Engaging Others in Don Bosco's Dream
at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress

(ANS – Anaheim, Calif. – Feb. 22, 2024) – The archdiocese of Los Angeles has gathered church and catechetical leaders for the annual Religious Education Congress for over 50 years. This 3-day gathering is an expo of faith formation, catechetical training, special events, prayer, and the exhibitions of numerous organizations and vendors for the renewal of those who serve the catechetical mission of the Church. Supporting this extraordinary experience of the Church, the Salesians’ Western Province has maintained and developed a Congress exhibit booth for over 30 years. Intending to share the educational philosophy of Don Bosco, the booth offers visitors various ways to learn and experience his Preventive System.

Participants hail from all the dioceses of California, and the Congress welcomes numerous other national and international church leaders. Before the pandemic, expecting as many as 40,000 participants for the RE Congress at the Anaheim Convention Center was customary. Though the numbers are now rebuilding, the spiritual vitality of the Congress never waned.

This year, the Salesian booth welcomed again the expertise of Fr. Alejandro Rodriguez, SDB, who offered new and accessible resources on leadership and the Preventive System in Spanish and English. Sr. Mary Greenan, FMA, also returned with 2 versions of the Salesian Matrix, an assessment resource for living the Preventive System in both school and family settings, also available in English and Spanish. The conversations regarding the educational philosophy of St. John Bosco were supported by the presence of the province delegate for youth ministry, Fr. Fabian Cardenas, the delegate for vocations, Fr. Vien Nguyen, the delegate for communication, Fr. Peter Le, and the province school coordinator, Bro. Al Vu. This area of the booth included Diane Gihring, the director of SJB Global, who offered the opportunity to take online theology classes through St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, Calif.

This year, Salesian Cooperators provided an extension of the booth where visitors joined Don Bosco in sharing their dreams for youth. Three Salesian Family pillars gathered the dreams of our visitors – a visual testimony to a Church that cares for the young. The exchange of dreams prompted conversations whereby many visitors gained a new understanding of the Salesian mission. This area of the booth also offered resource books, including the theological reading of “Don Bosco’s Childhood Dream” by Fr. Andrea Bozzolo, SDB, the Rector Major’s video of the 2024 Strenna, a video montage of Salesian Cooperator life, Salesian apparel, and rosaries.

The prominent presence of a Mary Help of Christians statue was a magnet for many visitors. Sr. Ann Cassidy, the FMA Salesian Family delegate, and members of the Province Office of Youth Ministry, offered visitors the chance to pray to our Mother by writing their intentions on paper hearts, which they attached to ribbon streams held in Mary’s hand. The deep devotion of the people made the booth a sacred space where many needs were entrusted to the tender care of Mary Help of Christians.

On Friday, February 16, Dr. J.C. Montenegro, province delegate for missionary animation, delivered an enlightening workshop at the Congress. His presentation addressed the fundamental aspects of the evangelization process and highlighted an urgent concern: the need to cultivate a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

For years, J.C. has been a committed leader in youth ministry and missionary work. His close collaboration with various youth groups, including those preparing to receive the sacrament of Confirmation, has gleaned significant insights for him into the field of evangelization. J.C. addressed the startling reality that many youths participating in Confirmation retreats are unsure of their faith or do not believe in God.

Instead of assuming that youths have already had a personal encounter with Christ, J.C. advocated refocusing on the evangelization process’s first step: the testimony of love and charity that precedes words. Some examples of pastoral charity, of testimony, that J.C. shared were opening dialog with young people through listening, offering the “sacrament of presence” (spending time with young people in what they like), and being kind to people in the ordinary matters of daily life.  This approach, he argued, can transform the experience of sacramental catechesis from mere religious instruction to a vital encounter with the person of Jesus Christ. 

J.C. addressed nearly a thousand participants, including parish leaders, youth ministers, religious brothers and sisters, and priests. This diverse group of attendees reflects the topic’s relevance in the context of youth ministry and evangelization.

The session served as a call for all pastoral communities to reassess their approach to evangelization, inspiring them to rediscover the beauty and urgency of the living testimony of the Gospel for young people today.

The outcomes of the Salesian exhibit booth will unfold in the coming months. With new relationships formed and old friendships renewed, further momentum was set for realizing Don Bosco’s dream more fully in the Church and ministries of the Western U.S. Province.

Source: Salesian Bulletin – USA West