1899 KOR Summer seminar for young Salesians
austraLasia #1899

Korea's summer seminar for Salesians in initial formation

NERI - 9th July 2007 -- Forty one Salesians in initial formation have taken part in a seminar on youth ministry organised by the Korean YM Delegate, Fr Marcello Baek.  The seminar, which included men from the pre-novitiate stage until diaconate, was partly in response to the 'new frontiers' theme of GC26.
    The Youth Ministry Commission of the province, working with Fr Marcello to put together the input for the seminar, offered six different items of input: one of these was a theoretical basis to introduce new models of youth ministry.  An input specific to the 'new frontiers' theme of GC26 was offered by Fr Baek himself.  Fr Benjamin Kim shared material and ideas from the Kochi (India) seminar earlier in 2007 on missionary animation and voluntary service. The final report from the Kochi meeting has been translated into Korean. Bro. Bosco Park added to this with input dealing with the Korean Salesian International Volunteer Service, providing a brief history of the Service, but also outlining two upcoming events - a visit by the International Volunteer Service to Papua New Guinea from 21 July to 5 August.  A total of 56 volunteers will take part, 37 students, 16 nurses and doctors, 3 Salesians, 2 teachers, and one Catholic journalist from the Pyonghwa newspaper.  The group will also include two Japanese and 6 US-based Koreans.  The second volunteer event will be to Negros Occidental in the southern Philippines - to Mambucal parish near Bacolod City (from 6-18 August).  This will involve 42 participants, 32 of whom are students, 4 nurses and doctors, 4 Salesains.  The aim will be to construct a clinic and provide for a residential nurse.
    Two additional items of input for the Youth Ministry seminar were by Bro Benedict Baek and Fr Paul Chang. The former looked at youth at risk and counselling programs.  Bro. Baek is director of the Chuncheon Kangwon counselling support centre.  One area they have focused on is internet addiction.  Fr Chang dealt with issues to help adolescents gain a right sexual culture and life-supporting culture.
    The provincial, Fr Paul Hwang, was present for the seminar.  It was not all hard work - the young Salesians profited from the seaside location at Neri Youth Camp (South of Seoul on the west coast of the peninsula) for a swim and some beach games.

      _________________
 AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific.  It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome.  For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use BoscoWiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/RSS/rssala.xm   Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at at http://sdl.sdb.org