VIE-Salesian Educative Pastoral Plan (SEPP: 2005-2006) 1^st time

1. Salesian parish – city

Vision – mission statement

We, the community of the SJB Parish, priests, brothers, sisters and lay people, dedicate ourselves to become an exemplary community of disciples of Jesus Christ. Through our liturgical services and education – pastoral activities, we commit to bear witness to the Love of Jesus Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve.

The family spirit of St. John Bosco should reign in our relationships with one another. In a way of joyful and harmonious life, we hope to communicate to the young generation the Gospel values, especially to those who have not acknowledged Jesus Christ as the Son of God and His Church as the Instrument of Salvation.

Objectives (each sector: situation, lines of action, in charge)

1. Liturgy:– more vibrant and participative liturgy (facing the great number of inactive church-goers, obliged by the family traditions, by church law)

2. Word of God: - make effort to find some way to get young adults to participate in the Bible studies – catechesis, Bible awareness)

3. Groups: - There are enough associations and groups for each section, which respond to their religious and social needs (train the lay in leaderships role)

4. Culture: - so far

5. Social justice-Solidarity with the poor: Although majority of the lay are poor, they are very generous in contribution to the Church resources and needs

2. Salesian parish – countryside

Motto-Guidelines: Call of God

• apply the Preventive System and the pastoral zeal in living with the parishioners, specially the young

• promote the devotion to the Blessed Mary Help of Christians

• team work and collaboration with the lay people in the Salesian spirit (EPC)

Education – pastoral aspects: Goals

• An annual program of activities, religious life, based on the Church calendar

• Special care for the youth activities

• Monthly meeting and activities of each group, according age and kind of faithful

• Focus on the catechesis, according the age of the students (grade)

• Continuous formation for the faithful, annual retreat, short term retreats

Shared responsibility – EPC

• Weekly: staff meetings

• Monthly: EPC meetings (last Sunday), sharing of pastoral experience

• Annual: EPC (all families in the parish, Nov 24^th; Dec 25^th)

• Always: fraternal relationship and collaboration

3. Salesian vocational training center

Guidelines – motto

• Realize the motto “Da mihi animas, coetera tolle”

• Apply the preventive system and the Salesian assistance in living with the young

• Team work

• Concrete collaboration with the lay people in the Salesian spirit

Educational and skill training aspects

• Observe the timetable of the training and activities running

• Follow the skills training plans, according to the demands of each workshop with its specification

• Realize the aim of our Salesian education: To train the young, specially the poorer once, to become honest citizens and good Christians (or humanly good with their own religion)

• Weekly meeting and friendly talk (Good morning) on every Monday (SDB)

Pastoral and Salesian aspects

• Raise up clubs and activities for the purpose of human education

• Plan programs of physical and spiritual activities

• Organize meetings to prepare the young heading to their future

• Take care of the religious aspects for the young Christians

Shared responsibility at the Center (EPC)

• Spirit of teamwork and collaboration (sharing experience, difficulties)

• Monthly meeting of the staff (first Saturday) and when necessary

• Quarterly meeting of the instructors

• Great concern for the updating of the instructors

• Close contact with the parents of the trainees

• Contact with the local administrative and education authorities

4. Salesian Oratory – open mainly to the non catholic youth

Social and cultural situation

• A sound playground promoting humans education is urgently needed in Vietnam, no school pays attention to this regard

• Generally, the surroundings is not Christian, many families are not complete (divorce, no educational care of the parents), youth at risk, school drop outs

Youth situation

• Youth has a desire for a sweet home, friendly playground, school to learn how to be more human, open to the Transcendence

• Educative influence of the SDB community is widely recognized, welcoming environment points to the impact of Salesian witness

• Need are great, but the community can’t invest more confreres to the Oratory, main target is formation

Lines of action

• Inspire and trust the confreres to concentrate their concern for the benefit of poor youth

• Train the confreres to be actively present among the teenagers

• Launch step by step some new centers for teenagers in the surrounding

• Ask for one confrere on full time Oratorian service

5. Junior Aspirants ministry

Vision statement: We, the Salesians, who work for junior aspirants – vocation guidance ministry to high school students, commit ourselves to help them to fulfill their duties in joy. In such a way, they will grow in their Christian vocation and their journey of discerning the will of God for their life

Objectives:

1. Spirituality: help the boys to have the sense of holy mysteries, encourage them to participate in the Eucharist and other liturgical services; help them to understand the fundamental meaning of liturgy, inspire in them the 3 Salesian devotions to the Eucharist, MHC and the Holy Father (monthly recollection, Rosary, visit to the Blessed Sacrament)

2. Word of God: help them to lay down a solid foundation in the Christian doctrine and practices, understand the Word of God and live in their daily life, inspire in them the sense of God and His Will in the daily life

3. Human growth: We teach them the sense of gratitude, some etiquette and their commitment to keep their timetable as well as other basic virtues in human relationship

4. Groups: we teach them to have some sense of belonging to the group, to develop their sense of services, mutual assistance (family spirit, teamwork, parish service)