Sectors, departments, commissions, dimensions???

We commenced the South Asia Social Communications' delegates meeting this morning. Thanks to Thathi whose absence has facilitated my presence here. It was good to see and meet very many familiar faces, especially that of Fr Filiberto and Fr Julian Fox. The morning was a rather extended session on sharing of Province strengths and challenges. What began as a single point, soon got elaborated and stretched to a long list. However, neither Fr Fili nor Fr Julian objected or intervened. I think they prefer to go with the stream than impose the schedule. They really get to feel the pulse of the region then. The afternoon session was a bit heavy - atleast for me! It was the presentation of the new edition of the Salesian Social Communication System (SSCS). However the group discussion and sharing that ensued was interesting. Reminded me of trying to get to the root of issues rather than getting lost in petty matters.

One of the points that I raised in my small group and which Fr Julian Fox later tried to address was the same point that we have been debating about in the Province during all meetings, thanks to Fr TD John's attempt to clarify the point: the whole network and system of commissions, departments, sectors and dimensions.

Fr Julian did try to clarify matters but I think he was also being shrewd as to not get entangled with this, since it is a matter which needs to be clarified from the Rector Major downwards! The sectors (a bad translation of the Italian word, according to Fr Julian) are like charisms or liturgically speaking sacraments. They ought to be for the congregation to be what it is meant to be. But departments are mere functional modes of these charisms. These may come and go, the modality may change and so may the structure of it, but the charism remains.

(What about the commissions and dimensions? Well, they were not mentioned at all!)