Hearts Present and Joyful: A Formation Program for Salesian Ministry

(New Rochelle, NY – December 12) – In the Congregation’s six-year action program after GC28, proposal six states, "Let the Congregation and all provinces around the world take 'further steps' in witnessing to the shared mission and common formation, improving the situation and functioning of the EPC in all of the Congregation’s presences."

The Province of St. Philip the Apostle (SUE) has taken a “further step” in being together with lay people in the Salesian mission and formation. We have recently printed and distributed to every SDB community Hearts Present and Joyful: A Formation Program for Salesian Ministry (Hearts Present and Joyful). The 16 sessions contained in this formation resource present the Salesian charism in a systematic and practical way. Each session contains an opening prayer, brief reflections on the theme, questions for reflection, and a closing prayer. Designed to be used over two years, this manual has also been formatted to guide participants to know the basic elements of the Salesian spirit and mission. This leads to a deeper commitment to share responsibility for the Salesian mission. Hearts Present and Joyful can be a useful tool to introduce the Salesian charism to new teachers; catechists; members of a youth ministry team, youth center, or parish staff; and leadership teams or other groups of volunteers. It can also be easily adapted to ongoing formation for groups of the Salesian Family.

Hearts Present and Joyful is the collaborative work of many people. Fr. Steve Shafran provided the consistent vision and oversight. One team of SDBs worked to develop the outline, another team wrote the reflections, and a third team reviewed and edited the work. Thanks to everyone who was involved in this project.

Copies have been sent to every community for review. The province will be printing more. Please place your orders with Fr. Tim Zak at zaksdb@gmail.com by January 12, 2022.

The book will be sent for free. It is expected that every SDB community will use this resource in the next academic-pastoral year. The eBook version is available for $9.99 on Amazon for Kindle, Apple for Apple Books, Barnes & Noble for Nook, and Kobo Books.

The province will also place an order for Religious Life at the Change of an Era—An Anthology by Fr. Pascual Chávez. Please send your orders to Fr. Tim Zak at zaksdb@gmail.com for this book as well by January 12, 2022. It will also be sent to the SDBs for free. Click here to view a more complete description of the book.