Update on Provincial Chapter 2022

By Fr. Mike Mendl, SDB

(New Rochelle, NY – June 6) – Our provincial chapter will meet at Don Bosco Retreat Center in Haverstraw from Monday, July 11 to Friday, July 15, with the chapter members expected there on the evening of Sunday, July 10. The chapter will conclude with the celebration of Province Day on the evening of Friday, July 15.

There are 40 SDB members of the chapter (see attached roster), including Fr. Provincial and the provincial council, the directors, delegates elected by the communities, delegates elected at-large, and the moderator.

In addition, Fr. Tim Zak is inviting FMAs, some of our lay collaborators, and some young adults to attend several chapter sessions either in person or by Zoom to take part in some of the discussions of the Rector Major’s post-GC28 proposals for the Congregation.

After receiving Fr. Tim’s "state of the province" report and reports from the province’s various sector delegates, the chapter will consider the following topics:

• the three key points of GC28 (in the light of Pope Francis’s message to GC28)

              *  priority of the Salesian mission among today’s young people
              *  profile of the Salesian today
              *  together with lay people in the mission and in formation

• the Rector Major’s eight proposals

              * Salesian of Don Bosco forever
              * invited by Da mihi animas, caetera tolle
              * the Salesian sacrament of presence
              * formation to be Salesian pastors today
              * absolute priority for the young, the poorest, and most abandoned
              * together with lay people in the mission and in formation
              * the time for greater generosity in the Congregation (universal and missionary)
              * toward a sustainable future

The communities have already given these 11 topics their consideration, and the chapter preparatory commission has summarized the community reports.

The chapter will be asked to approve sections of the Province Handbook:

• elder care (a new section); amendments to the formation section;
• amendments to the finances section; and
• an addition to the administrative section.

Finally, in the light of all that discussion and the provincial and sector reports, the chapter will establish priorities for the province for the next six years for the guidance of the provincial, the council, and the communities ("reshaping the province").

Thus far, the chapter moderator has not received any specific proposals from the communities or individual confreres for the chapter’s consideration.