Not the Same Ministry
“Why do we keep updating our vision and mission statement?” Asked one confrere. “Because we keep finding ourselves in new grounds,” answered another.
A few years ago, the work of educating inside the formal space of the classroom was much easier. There weren’t many forms and documentation required then. Some teachers can enter the classroom armed only by their mastery of the subject and proceed to discussion without much fanfare. The art of pedagogy has come a long way since then.
Other works like animating youth groups and organizing a youth center, or running parishes and training centers, or taking care of youth in boarding houses and orphanages are also much more complicated today. The discipline of the sciences and government regulation has enriched and pushed forward the way we do ministry in the Church. Young confreres use to squirm whenever older confreres start comparing timelines. The phrase “in my time” doesn’t hold value anymore in the face of changes experienced in the world today.
This brings a challenge to both elder and younger confreres to always make sure that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to do their work. “Doing good” does not only mean the exercise of charity. It now entails professionalism, standardization, planning and paper work. Church people no matter what level of commitment – consecrated, employed or volunteer – has always to translate their faith into systematic work in order to have relevance and impact.
Jesus was unique in his ministry. He used parables and stories and illustrations to prove his point. Ordinary folk understood him. This ingenuity points to Jesus’ deep understanding of humanity. We can follow Jesus in our own study and addressing of human behavior and needs. This is best done by employing the sciences and keeping contemporary standards in Church work.
The ministry changes as fast as the world. Salesians who do not update will be left behind. The basics of charity and doing good remain the same, but the intricacies of how to do it are much more refined.
Disclaimer: This section of the website is a personal creative writing of the author and does not necessarily reflect the official views, opinion, or policies of the Salesians of Don Bosco – Philippines South Province. For concerns on the content, style, and grammar of this piece, please contact us.
