REFLECTIONS
ON '98 CHAPTER

Bob | Tom

by Fr. Ralph Murphy, SDB

The five days at beautiful St. Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista (June 21 to 26, 1998) were much more than a few days in the country. They were days of prayer, meetings and family. Thirty-two Salesians, two Salesian Sisters and 17 lay people shared the week

This chapter was very different from past chapters. I had been a member of every provincial chapter for almost four decades save the last two chapters. It is the first I attended which had such an important presence of the laity -- young and old, administrators, students and alumni. All were present and active in the discussions carried on in the spirit of the Salesian 24th General Chapter whose report is titled Salesians and Lay People: Communion and Sharing in the Spirit and Mission of Don Bosco.

The second thing that impressed me was the intense attention given to the spiritual mission of the Salesians for young people. Walking with young people in their Christian journey was a theme that ran through the week. The young people pre-sent especially helped bring this into focus. There also was an atmo-sphere where freedom of discussion was encouraged. And, though the days were long, there was general agreement that we had fleshed out a Pastoral Plan for the San Francisco Province that is not only full of idealism but practical as well, and that can be put into operation in the years to come.

by Br. Robert Hennings, SDB

Earlier this year our various communities assembled to deliberate and make suggestions that would be presented at the provincial Chapter meeting to be held in June. I firmly believed that improved communication skills would greatly enhance the effectiveness of Salesian work in the province.

When the general invitation was made for observers, I enthusiastically accepted, deciding that this would be my best opportunity to bring out my concern about communication skills.

With no previous experience in this level of meetings, I had no expectations. However, as many others at the meeting pointed out, the general assembly time was spent in minor clarifications. This became tedious at times, but I believe it was necessary for every one to feel he or she had been heard. I most appreciated the productive time that I spent with the formation committee and was happy with the material that was finally presented and accepted by the general assembly. I was very impressed with the dedication and determination of all the members of our Salesian family that attended this meeting and I plan to accept other invitations to future Chapter meetings.

by Tom Henkenius

I was given a wonderful opportunity to give some thought and time to a group of people who contributed so much to my own formation. The Salesians invited me to attend their provincial chapter as an alumnus of St. John Bosco High School, Bellflower, Calif.

I was amazed that the Salesians wanted lay people to hear what they had to say, and to contribute to the discussions. I thought it was unusual for an organization to take into consideration the concerns of the people they minister to by inviting them to participate in the discussions.

I wanted to promote the organization of alumni throughout the province. As time passed, the issues began to clarify. On the last day I was amazed that we had finished the report, and I was proud of the changes that it promised. All the while, I stood behind my issue of uniting the Salesian alumni, and my hope is that someday they will be a larger part of the Salesian Family.

Although San Juan Bautista was rather rustic, it was one of the more rewarding trips I have undertaken. I wish all Salesians in our province the best of luck trying to implement this plan, and I look forward to putting it into action at St. John Bosco High School.