5270(II)_What does it mean to receive missionary volunteers?
A reflection from North Vietnam
December 10, 2019
By North Vietnam Delegation - Youth Ministry sector
Hanoi, Vietnam, 10 December 2019 -- The North Vietnamese Delegation's Youth Ministry sector responds to questions concerning volunteers.
How was the experience with the volunteers in your community?
The community life becomes more open with the presence of Salesian missionary volunteers. THE Salesian Mission is shared and informed and the Salesian pastoral-educative system is known to more people outside Salesian circles. The community and volunteers are both more zealous in collaborating with one another for the benefit of the youngsters at all levels: prayer - studies - human virtues - on the playground - in the dining room, especially in the chapel and dormitory.
What is the impact of the volunteers on your community life?
Before doing something, there is a round-table exchange of ideas and goals; that builds up the sense of listening and discerning and planning. The Salesian educative-pastoral system is not only reserved for young people but is also for the volunteers. It is a way of life for all in the Salesian environment.
Some challenges for your community while living with the volunteers?
Local civil authorities and ordinary people do not yet comprehend the role and effectiveness of Salesian missionary volunteers.
What do you learn from our lay mission volunteers?
Salesian missionary Volunteers are generally zealous, approachable, lovable and rich in sacrifice of self. They are very patient and involved in caring for the poor young ones.
What is the impact of the volunteers on your religious community?
Their example has a strong impact on the Salesians. At the same time, the Salesians have to reflect on how to invite more volunteers to join in with shared responsibility for the mission of evangelization and education inspired by the Gospel.
What is your dream for the future?
It must think about how to give them a more solid and concrete formation in the Preventive system as a spiritual and educative way of life.
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