Salesian Parishes of the USA West Province:
Don Bosco’s apostolic concern, which is always alive in Salesian hearts, the renewed idea of the parish as the presence of the Church in a particular neighborhood, and the pastoral needs of the local Church, have led the Salesians to a much greater involvement in parish ministry. In the Salesian Rule, the parish is explicitly included among the works in which our mission is realized, “responding to the pastoral needs of the particular Churches in those areas which offer us adequate scope for service to the young and to the poor”. The Salesian commitment in the parish sector is expressed through the parishes entrusted to the Salesians and through the missionary parishes.The Salesians, with their charism for the young and the poor, bring to the local Church their own charismatic style for the direction and animation of a parish. The Salesian rule concentrates this contribution in some specific traits which distinguish a parish entrusted to the Congregation:
- for the attention it gives to young people, especially the poorest. This preferential choice is linked with an attitude rather than a project, and is a dynamic option in all expressions of the parish community.
- It is situated in a working-class area with an adequate field of service.
- It is animated by a community committed to the building of a Christian community that is closely united, welcoming, available, and open to human and Christian growth.
- It has a pastoral project with the characteristic style of evangelizing by educating and educating by evangelizing, in line with a particular spirituality and pedagogical method (the preventive system), and hence works at integrating evangelization and human development;
- with a pastoral commitment which considers the Oratory and Youth Center as an essential part of the pastoral plan;
- with emphasis on systematic catechesis for all;
- with a concentration on the development of each one’s vocation;
- with a missionary outreach towards those lapsed, especially the most needy young people in their own environment and in places where they gather.
