Being with the young people today, a home that evangelises, this is the theme of General Chapter XXIII which Mother Yvonne Reungoat officially convoked with her circular letter N. 934 .
It will begin in the FMA Generalate in Rome on September 22, 2014. Mother Yvonne has appointed Sr. Chiara Cazzuola as the moderator to whom all documents prepared by the Provincial Chapters must be sent.
The theme finds its place within the context of the new evangelisation and of the problems linked to the lack of faith, of relationships, of meaningful points of reference, and of an environment in which to feel at home». It is explained in a footnote that the term house/home is adopted in the sense of a way of being and of being in relationship, a human and spiritual atmosphere of trust, intergenerational dialogue, listening and mutual enrichment. It is a metaphor for the Salesian style that we live in the educating community, open to the local area.
The circular letter of Mother Geneal # 934 states : «The house/home in the Salesian tradition is a family environment made up of FMA, young people, and the laity. It is an atmosphere of co-responsibility that favours personal growth, strengthens joy, is a space in which to proclaim Jesus and a vocational appeal. It is an experience of communion in the style of the Preventive System that expands horizons of mission to the needs of the Church and the area. It is important that young people should feel happy and that they are active contributors with us, involved in the evangelising mission, especially among other young people».
The text, which has been sent to all the FMA of the world, to help them to reflect in depth on the chapter theme, is structured as follows:
- The real world challenges us - a home to be protected and built; in a constantly changing society; the Church a living presence among the people; young people searching for a home.
- The call to new evangelisation - evangelisation as an encounter with Jesus Christ and life witness; education a privileged channel for evangelisation.
- Home a place of encounter and invitation - God lives in our home; Mary, home of the Living God; the Church, a house of communion open to all people.
- Valdocco and Mornese: prophetic sources - communities rooted in the Lord Jesus; a home where one experiences family; a community with a missionary vision.
What kind of house is needed to evangelise today? - relationships as a way of evangelising education; the environment as a place of encounter and mutuality; together, we respond to deepest needs of young people
The proposed work plan suggests: «The process for the Chapter preparation starts with an attentive, personal reading of the letter of convocation, an indispensable condition for a serious study of the theme and for constructive sharing at community and province level». Some guidelines for reflection are then given for the work of the local and provincial communities.
The Provincial Chapters must be celebrated before the end of November 2013, and all the corresponding material must reach the moderator of the Chapter by that time.