A group of nine young Salesians, students of graduate coursesat Jabalpur, arrived at Don Bosco Youth and Educational Services, Bariatu on 27th December 2021 for a week-long training programme on youth ministry and media education. It began on 28thDecember and concluded on 3rd January, 2022 with the evaluation of the programmes and activities.
The first session of 28th December was on purpose driven life animated by Fr. Shilanand Kerketta, Youth Ministry Delegate of INN province. Through his inputs, picked from the life of Jesus, Don Bosco other successful people, he motivated the brothers to develop their talents to be able to deploy them in their future ministry. He highlighted the human call to contribute to the enrichment of the world particularly through our ministry to the young people.
Three days, 28th and 30th December were set aside for training in conducting sessions for the young. Fr. Deepak Kindo took the class on group dynamics and their advantages as a means of creating familiarity with the young people prior to sessions. Later Fr. Ashok Kujur taught the basic principles of organizinglessons for the young. Then the brothers were divided into four groups to draw up the lesson plans for the seminar forthe students of Don Bosco School Garigaon and Rurungkocha. He also assisted them in their task and oversaw the demo classes.
On 30th December four brothers were sent to Don Bosco school, Garigaon and the other four to Don Bosco school, Rurungkocha. The students of class 8, 9 and 10 were called for the programme. About 80 of them turned up and they were divided into two groups. The brothers conducted sessions on the topics: aim in life, addiction, time management etc. The evaluation of the mini seminar was held in the evening on their return to DBYES.
Prior to the programme at Bariatu, the student brothers were allottedthe encyclicals of Pope Francis: Laudatosi,Fratelli Tutti, Christus vivitto study and prepare for the presentation at Bariatu. Brothers had to work in a group of three and everyone was to share in the presentation.Accordingly, on 31st December they presented the encyclical letters of Pope Francis through power point slides. After each presentation, Frs. Shilanand and Fr. Vijay Soy gave them their feedback. The brothers too were invited to do the same.
The New Year Day was a break from the training. Fr. Vijay Soy had organized a visit to the institutions of the Salesian family in and around Ranchi. In the morning the brothers animated the lead the singing for the Holy Eucharist. The parishioners were appreciative of the singing of the brothers. The group visited Salesian institutes of Bichna, Hesag and Kokar, Sahera (FMA), Tagore Hill (SMI). They were served lunch at DBYC, Hesag.
On the 2nd and 3rd January, brothers were given training in media literacy and the basics of journalism. Again Fr. Ashok Kujur and Fr. Deepak Kindo took the class on the given subject highlighting the need to use the media critically and profitably. It was emphasized that as Salesians we are called to use media to influence the young and not be consumed by it.
In the evening Fr. Davis Maniparamben, Provincial interacted with the brothers. He gave them some questionson Salesian religious life to reflect upon. The young brothers were given the space to express their experiences and opinion about their life at Don Bosco Yuva Sadan, Jabalpur. Fr. Davis appreciated the brothers for their candid sharing. Fr. Vijay Soy too was present for the sharing.
Deacon Sanjit Kujur was to be ordained on 4th January and the brothers were to join to function. However, on account of the restrictions on the number of participants for the event, they are asked to stay back Bariatu. In the first hour of the day, they had written evaluation of the programme at Bariatu and in the afternoon, they had an outing. The following day, 5th January, brothers left for Jabalpur by night train from Barkakana, Ramgarh.
The above programme was a profitable break for the brothers from DBYS, Jabalpur. They were happy and appreciative of the training programme offered to them at DBYES, Bariatu. They expressed their heartfelt gratitude for having given them the opportunity to learn more about Salesian youth ministry and to acquire skill to conduct youthsessions. This formation programme has given them a wonderful occasion to reflect about their life and their future mission with the young.
Br. Sanjay Kujur
Jabalpur