austraLasia #1899
Korea's
summer seminar for Salesians in initial
formation
NERI - 9th July 2007 -- Forty one
Salesians in initial formation have taken part in a seminar on youth ministry
organised by the Korean YM Delegate, Fr Marcello Baek. The seminar, which
included men from the pre-novitiate stage until diaconate, was partly in
response to the 'new frontiers' theme of GC26.
The Youth
Ministry Commission of the province, working with Fr Marcello to put together
the input for the seminar, offered six different items of input: one of these
was a theoretical basis to introduce new models of youth ministry. An
input specific to the 'new frontiers' theme of GC26 was offered by Fr Baek
himself. Fr Benjamin Kim shared material and ideas from the Kochi (India)
seminar earlier in 2007 on missionary animation and voluntary service. The final
report from the Kochi meeting has been translated into Korean. Bro. Bosco Park
added to this with input dealing with the Korean Salesian International
Volunteer Service, providing a brief history of the Service, but also outlining
two upcoming events - a visit by the International Volunteer Service to Papua
New Guinea from 21 July to 5 August. A total of 56 volunteers will take
part, 37 students, 16 nurses and doctors, 3 Salesians, 2 teachers, and one
Catholic journalist from the Pyonghwa newspaper. The group will also
include two Japanese and 6 US-based Koreans. The second volunteer event
will be to Negros Occidental in the southern Philippines - to Mambucal parish
near Bacolod City (from 6-18 August). This will involve 42 participants,
32 of whom are students, 4 nurses and doctors, 4 Salesains. The aim will
be to construct a clinic and provide for a residential
nurse.
Two additional items of input for the Youth
Ministry seminar were by Bro Benedict Baek and Fr Paul Chang. The former looked
at youth at risk and counselling programs. Bro. Baek is director of the
Chuncheon Kangwon counselling support centre. One area they have focused
on is internet addiction. Fr Chang dealt with issues to help adolescents
gain a right sexual culture and life-supporting culture.
The provincial, Fr Paul Hwang, was present for the seminar. It was not all
hard work - the young Salesians profited from the seaside location at Neri Youth
Camp (South of Seoul on the west coast of the peninsula) for a swim and some
beach games.
_________________
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