Fr. Gerardo Martin, SDB delivers a magnificent talk during the Salesianity Formation

FIN – Don Bosco TVET Network is blessed to have Fr. Gerardo Martin, SDB, Provincial Superior of the Philippines North Province (FIN) of the Salesians of St. John Bosco, to give the Goodnight Talk, on the first night of 2023 Salesianity Formation. It was a profound evening for the Salesians and the lay mission partners, as Fr. Gerardo explained why the Don Bosco Community continues its commitment to the underprivileged youth despite what transpired over the last 4 years since the last Salesianity Formation and during the pandemic.

Fr. Provincial shared his prayers and intentions with the whole TVET Network with his Goodnight talk which is divided into three main points. First, he talked about what happened over the past 4 years and how the TVET centers of Don Bosco have surpassed the challenges of the global pandemic. He said that there was a time when the number of our trainees dipped to its lowest level and some of our industry partners held back their support because of COVID-19. However, none of our TVET centers closed, “As a matter of fact, our stand-alone centers that lacked the support of the big schools were more resilient.”, he said.

Second, he mentioned that it is the perfect time for all the Salesians and the Lay Mission  Partners to adapt to change and to start a new mission where all of them can be leaders guided by synodality and have an open mind and the optimism to embrace these changes. He also asked to pray for our trainees, those who recently graduated, those who are about to graduate, and those who are about to enter the Don Bosco Community to persevere and reach their aspirations in life with the guidance of Don Bosco.

Lastly, Fr. Provincial asked the network to pray for the people of Myanmar and for the Salesians who are present, helping the people and continuously guiding the young people from Muslim families to access vocational education despite their country’s current situation.

As a Salesian province, Don Bosco – One TVET Philippines join in prayer for the safety of Myanmar and will continue its efforts to help their community.

Fr. Provincial said that “The Salesians and all its Lay Mission Partners are here to stay for better times ahead so we can continue our mission to the youth with God’s grace through the intercession of Don Bosco and Mary Help of Christians.”