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4119_Call for the EAO Salesians to Siberia

4119_Call for the EAO Salesians to Siberia

Strategic Mission Plan 2016 – 2022: Salesians of Yakutia – Sakcha Republic (Siberia)

September 1, 2016

Jakutsk, Russia, 31 August 2016 -- After a recent visit of Fr. Alfred (Mission Sector – Rome) our 5 Salesian-strong missionary community of Jakutsk – Aldan (600 km distance between the two presences) were able to define our strategic plan for next 6 years.

After 23 years in Siberian part of Russia, in the Jakutia - Sakha autonomous republic (3 million square kilometers with the population of 1 million) we experience many fast and powerful changes in our society and religious situation. In Jakutsk City itself with 130 different nationalities we were able built a small but vibrant Catholic community. Between 2002 – 2009 was completed a construction of the first Catholic Parish Church in Jakutsk. Our city has direct flight connections to Seoul, Beijing and Hong Kong. After rather not-so-stable situation connected with the former province of the EST (including territory of 8 former Soviet Union republic) that was disintegrated in 2011, we look forward with optimism.

There are quite few mission challenges: of climat (50 degrees Celsius below zero in 9 months long winter), of personnel (frequent turnover of Salesians with rather weak preparation) and long distance from our mother province of Slovakia (SLK) in Europe.

However we acknowledge also a variety of opportunities for the future: in the multicultural and multi-religious environment (11 different religions, with 30% orthodox, 30% animist, some atheists, muslims and other Christian denominations) we are blessed by large numbers of young population. Due to alcoholism and family crisis our Salesian education contribution finds meaningful fields of possible ministry as minority diaspora Catholic community.

After almost 25 years of our mission there are about 500 baptized Catholics, although good number of them already moved elsewhere. We are really a small flock of few committed faithful looked upon by many who are asking faith or even baptism. Together with 5 Salesians we were blessed over the years with more than 100 lay missionary volunteers mostly from Slovakia.

Main goal of our immediate six year future is to deepen the life of faith of our Catholics and contribute with our Salesian lifestyle witness, ministry and education as steps in the initial proclamation of the Gospel:

We try to deepen the faith and strengthen our Catholic community, to be open to all around us
Witness of life, service and education, especially to the poor youth and their families
Missionary formation and forming of international community: we are open to the confreres from other provinces, we are looking for welcoming also some congregation of sisters, other lay charisms and lay missionary volunteers (3 month minimum). For a more responsible growth of our mission we dream about a future Yakutia Delegation.
Structures and means of our mission: chaples in two strategic towns, youth center and vehicles.
We discern also Jakutia – Siberia Salesian missionary profile:

Salesians from East Asia provinces, English speaking and being open to learn the Russian language (main medium of communication in our place), ready to contribute to the building of our small Catholic community and face the hard climat challenges of 9 month long winter season, open to a team work with the Salesians and Lay Mission Partners. Eventual experience with family ministry and youth at risk is most welcome!

Dear Salesian of EAO region, we welcome you in Yakutsk and Aldan - the very northern part of East Asia!