Pascual Chavez Villanueva – “You will be my witnesses… even to the ends of the Earth” (Acts 1, 8b). Presentation of the Italy-Middle East Region

Contents:

• Family News
• Significance of this letter
• Two important events

• A mark of gratitude
• The situation in Italy
• The situation in the Middle East
• The Region from a salesian standpoint
  • 1. Personnel
  • 2. Salesian foundations
  • 3.Nature of our works
  • 4.Some points to be kept in mind
  • 5. Salesian communities: quantity and quality
  • 6. The Salesian Family
  • 7. Participation and formation of the laity: resources and problems
• The Region’s big challenges
  • 1. The vocational situation
  • 2. Reshaping and relocating
  • 3. Continuing formation
  • 4. Salesian work in the Middle East
• Future intentions
  • 1. Rethinking our pastoral and educational system
  • 2. Courageous redefinition of salesian work in Italy
  • 3. Making the formation process for our lay collaborators more effective
  • 4. Support for the Middle East Province
  • 5. Development of our historic salesian places
• I remain close to all of you
• In conclusion

Reference time period: 2004

Reference institution:
Direzione Generale SDB