The first meeting brought together Salesians and laypeople from management groups, coordination committees and provincial services, featuring sessions of formation, celebration and fraternal sharing, with the aim of strengthening unity and promoting the mutual exchange of experiences among pastoral leaders from the various localities.

Tuesday 28 April began with the Eucharist, presided over by the Provincial of BPA, Fr Ademir Ricardo Cwendrych. Following this, the formation sessions addressed the theme of management in the light of the Salesian charism, with a reflection inspired by Don Bosco on leadership and commitment to the mission. In the afternoon, participants shared best practices from the oratories within the Salesian presences, emphasising their ever-relevant centrality in educational and pastoral work. The day concluded with a time of prayer.

Formation and institutional matters

Over the following days, the programme featured sessions of formation and opportunities for sharing among the networks. Delegate André D’Angelo presented the proposal, the roll-out schedule and the visual identity of the Province’s Code of Conduct and Compliance to the steering groups. The Provincial Communications Coordinator, Eduardo Schmitz, also attended the presentation.

For her part, psychologist Ana Cristina dos Santos led a reflection on the national law on workplace safety (NR-01), focusing on psychosocial risks in the workplace and their impact on the proper management of Salesian works. The topic highlighted the need to pay attention to relationships and working conditions within the institutions.

Network meetings

As part of the programme, the management teams of the schools and social works then met separately to address the specific issues of each network. The meetings were led by Maria Elvira, schools coordinator, and José Jair Ribeiro, social action coordinator.

In addition to formation sessions and meetings, the gathering included times of prayer, celebration and fellowship, fostering integration among participants and the alignment of initiatives across the various sectors of the provinces.

The parish network meeting

In the days immediately following, a gathering took place for parish priests, parish secretaries and members of the pastoral councils from the eight parishes supported by the BPA Province, an event also marked by sessions of formation, sharing and planning of pastoral activities.

The central theme of the activities was synodality, explored in depth through the reflections and work carried out over the two days.

During the fraternal discussions, topics relating to youth ministry, the life of the oratories within the parish communities, and the path for the next three years were also addressed. There was also time to discuss communication and the parishes’ calendar, fostering coordination between the various communities.

One of the highlights was the round-table discussion on best practices implemented in Salesian parishes, featuring presentations of the communities’ experiences within their respective oratories – a multi-voiced exchange that strengthened the sharing of initiatives among the parishes.

Thus, through prayer, formation and celebration, the BPA Province plans for the present and sows the seeds for the future.