3.1 A specific service of animation: the animating nucleus.

All the members of the EPC take part in animation. But some have the specific task of stimulating the contribution of all,

• by promoting the responsible participation of the greatest possible number of members of the EPC in the tasks of its overall animation;

• of seeing to their quality and co-ordination;

• of following up the animation especially at the levels which are more decisive for Salesian identity and for educative and evangelizing quality.

These constitute the "animating nucleus" of the EPC.

Of this animating nucleus the Salesian community forms a vital part by virtue of its consecrated and Salesian vocation. But this role of animation is open also to lay people, especially to those who are more attuned to the Salesian spirit and mission, and who have directive roles of responsibility in the EPC.

3.2 A working model.

The working model, found everywhere to some extent and recognized as valid and practical in today’s conditions, is made up of the following elements:

Salesians as the animating nucleus;

involvement and shared responsibility of the laity;

the elaboration of a project which is both possible and adapted

to those whom we are working for,

to the available resources, and

to the context.

But the effective role of the Salesians in such a model is not always the same:

• in many works they do manage to constitute this nucleus;

• in others they are by now becoming a presence of support and guarantee;

• and in still others one of distant support and orientation (GC 24, 169).

It belongs to the provincial with his council to decide on the concrete models for constituting the EPC (GC 24, 169).

3.3 Tasks of animation

The Salesian community must be aware of this new working model and accept its own specific responsibilities as the animating nucleus of the EPC.

This presupposes a rethinking of the situation and function of the religious community within the EPC and of the educative and pastoral process.

This awareness is expressed in certain specifically important attitudes and behavior, such as

• a joyful witness of their own religious and community life in the educative and pastoral mission;

• the commitment of each and every member to live the fundamental elements of the Salesian identity, such as

  • a close and effective presence among the young,

  • availability for personal contact,

• seeing to the unity of the SEPP in every activity,

• making sure of the total vision of the Salesian presence by promoting relationships and collaboration among the various works that constitute it, etc.;

• loyal collaboration with the different existing structures of participation;

• active participation in the formation processes already existing in the EPC; and

• concern for the development of the Salesian vocation in the youngsters and collaborators.

3.3.1 The Salesian Rector, as the first in order of responsibility for the EPC:

• animates the animators and is at the service of the overall unity of the work;

• takes care of the charismatic identity of the SEPP, in dialogue with the Provincial and in harmony with the provincial project;

• encourages formative processes and relationships;

• promotes the criteria for the selection and formation of the laity singled out by the province;

• maintains the linkage between the Salesian community and the EPC (cf. GC 24, 172).

3.3.2 The Council of the community assists and collaborates with the Rector in his functions as first in responsibility for the EPC.

In specifying the necessary linkage between the Council of the community and the other groups that participate in the EPC, it is well to keep in mind the following criteria:

• they participate as members of the council of the EPC, collaborating directly and actively in processes of reflection and decision;

• they make the final decision in matters which concern more directly the Salesian identity, formation and the enrolment of lay people;

• they foster an adequate exchange of information between the community and other members of the EPC,

• facilitate dialogue and respect for the responsibilities of the different members.

3.3.3 The council of the EPC and/or of the work

This council is a structure which animates and co-ordinates all the Salesian work through reflection, dialogue, programming and revision of the educative and pastoral activity (cf. GC 24, 160-161. 171).

It is therefore a structure of coordination at the service of the unity of the Salesian project in the area where the EPC operates, (or the EPCs of different sectors of complex works) (cf. GC 24, 161). Rather than substitute or superimpose itself on different structures of the EPC by making decisions which are theirs to make, it should help them to:

• safeguard the integral nature the project;

• feel co-responsible for its planning, implementation and evaluation;

• be attentive to the overall needs and demands of the youth context;

• foster linkage and collaboration among themselves, especially in the more global services, e.g. the formation of educators, etc.

Its members must have

• a clear understanding of the SEPP as the concrete perspective for all the programming and activity of the different sectors,

• a desire for communion and collaboration with the different groups of the Salesian Family working in the area,

• a sense of the Church,

• an expressed desire of communion and service for the common cause needed for an ever better service to the young and their environment.

It belongs to the Provincial with his Council to decide on criteria of composition and to lay down areas of competence, levels of responsibility and linkage with the local Council of the Salesian community (cf. GC 24, 171).

It seems necessary that the following should be members of the EPC:

• the members of the house council,

• the lay people who have roles of directive responsibility and/or co-ordination in the EPC, and

• some representatives of groups of the Salesian Family present in the area.

It is desirable, nevertheless, to balance the criteria for the representation of all sectors of the work against the need for the efficacy of animation which requires a certain freedom of action.

3.3.4 Different types of lay educators and their tasks and responsibilities.

In the great variety of educative and pastoral works and services that exist, different types of people are involved with different tasks and roles. This opens up a vast field for the participation and contribution of lay people. The teachers, the headmaster/headmistress, the catechist, the public relations officer, the counselor, the animators above all the young are some of these persons.

In defining the role of all these collaborators and in outlining the characteristics of their educative activity in the EPC, it is necessary to place them within a system composed of the following interactive elements:

• they are members of the EPC with specific roles, that are complementary to those of others;

• they belong to the SEPP, of which they share

  • the human and religious perspectives,

  • looking at reality from a point of view of education,

  • the manner of being present among the young,

  • the objectives to attain,

  • and the methods and strategies to be used in pursuing them;

• their growth as Salesian educators (human maturity, educative competence, Salesian identity, Christian witness) is taken care of through a process of ongoing formation at the personal and community levels;

• their active presence among the youngsters with whom they share the environment, helping them to become a group, accompanying them in their process of human and Christian growth, facilitating their opening up to the educative, cultural and ecclesial environment.

In every work, in agreement with the Provincial and his Council, the fields of responsibility entrusted to lay people must be specified, together with their area of decision-making, and the relationship of the various groups and kinds of shared responsibility with the Salesian community and the Province.

3.4 Other models of animation of the EPC in Salesian works

In these works the Salesian community with the help of the Province will take care to:

• maintain the specific function of the Rector in the EPC as a guarantee of the Salesian identity and of communion with the Province;

• involve the Salesians in the first place in tasks of pastoral work of formation, and of follow-up of the educators;

• see to the formation of the lay collaborators in line with the criteria proposed by the GC 24 (# 164), involving as many members of the Salesian Family as possible.

Works managed by lay people within the Salesian provincial project

For an activity or a work managed by lay people to be considered as belonging to the project of a Province, it must embody the criteria of identity, communion and effectiveness of Salesian activity, and must be managed under the responsibility of the Provincial and his Council (GC 24, 180).

The Province, therefore, in the light of its responsibility for the animation of these works and of their EPCs:

• offers animation and government, by analogy with what happens in the EPC in which members of the Salesian community are present: e.g. the provincial visitation, verification of the local project, linkage between the lay director of the work and the Provincial, the periodic participation of a delegate of the Provincial at council meetings of the EPC.

• promotes the constitution of the Council of the EPC;

• organizes with the laity a serious process of formation to Salesian identity;

• gives special attention to the lay people who have roles of animation and responsibility in the EPC;

• establishes a stable linkage with a neighboring Salesian community, or with a center of provincial animation, especially in matters concerning charismatic and ministerial aspects (cf. GC 24, 181).

It is suggested also that the Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles Laici of John Paul II (Rome 1988) be kept in mind.