ENNORE, SEPTEMBER 14, 2025: Deepagam, the Catechetical Centre of the Salesian Province of Chennai, organized “Salesian Parish Lay Formators’ Day” - a formative orientation program at Don Bosco Youth Animation Center, Ennore, on Sunday, 14th September 2025. 181 Lay Dimension Coordinators from 18 Parish Sectors have met together to chart a concrete action plan for the formation of the laity and greater participation in the parish community.

181 lay leaders from eighteen Salesian parishes who were parish representatives from across the province took part in the laity empowerment program that featured input sessions, group discussions, and an open forum; the day concluded with an action plan identifying concrete steps towards active collaboration in the parish ministry.

The program objective is to bring together lay formators from all Salesian parishes of the Province for a day of formation, reflection, and planning, in the spirit of Vatican II, with the goal of strengthening parish life and fostering active collaboration by lay leaders in the parishes.

The ‘laity formation day’ was envisaged and organized by Fr. Jesudoss, SDB (Director of Deepagam and Parish Commission In-charge), in collaboration with Fr. Francis Pinto, SDB (Parish Commission Head and Vicar Forane, Polur), and the Salesian Parish Priests. Fr. John Christy, SDB (Youth Ministry Delegate), along with Dr. Lourdusamy, SDB, Dr. Devenesan, Mr. Maria Michael, and Mrs. Pauline Rose, gave the keynote addresses on the broader theme: Vatican II and the Role of the Laity in the Church. Rev. Fr. L. Don Bosco, the Provincial welcomed all in the effort to make changes in the society and the Church through laity empowerment in his short video message.

The outcomes of the program were: 1) Renewed understanding of the call of the laity as per Vatican II; 2) Recognition of the need for greater collaboration between priests and laity; 3) Consensus that ongoing formation programs are essential for laity, priests, and religious as People of God; 4) Strong call for parish-level dissemination of teachings of Vatican II with the Word of God.

The key points stressed during the programs were laity leadership as ‘servant leadership,’ taking the inculturation into new dimensions such as ‘digital media,’ dialogue with other faiths and no faith, and greater involvement in social justice.

Overall, the program highlighted the identity, rights, and responsibilities of the laity in the world and in the Church. The participants were predominantly parish council members and pious association leaders hailing from both the rural and urban parishes of the Salesian Presences.

The day deeply touched the participants to reflect upon the ‘apostolate of the laity’ based on the triple ministry of Jesus our Lord. Laity need human formation, the evolvement of positive social consciousness, and the theology of the laity. Laity is called to be the ‘voice of the Church in the world.’

Fr. Lourdusamy expounded on the ‘Final Document of the Synod on Synodality’ that stressed the importance of the laity in evangelization. All the keynote speakers pointed out the baptismal identity that confers equal dignity to the laity and co-responsibility to make Christ known in the world. Not just representative in social ministry and action, laity must be visible in liturgy and celebration of the sacraments. Laity in evangelization must help the oppressed, excluded, and denied people. Digital media evangelization must transform the world’s web spaces into platforms of pastoral ministry. Lay leaders can be the bridge-builders between parish priests and parishioners. While co-responsibility is a new area of pastoral discernment for the Church, there must be transparency and accountability for the use of financial resources utilized by the laity in the Church. If ‘Sense of Faith’ imparts co-responsibility in decision-making, it must also manifest responsible participation in execution/implementation.

“Laity must know that marriage is a sacrament and a personal vocation.” Mr. Maria Michael pointed out while reflecting on the synodality and co-responsibility. Mrs. Pauline Rose identified the tripartite ministry of Jesus in all the triple states of life in the Church: clergy, religious, and laity. “Whatever the state of life, it is all for the greater glory of God, in Christ Jesus,” she noted.

Fr. John Christy SDB gave Salesian catechesis using his theme talk: Salesian DNA (knowing St. John Bosco, Salesian Charism, and the Educative System (Reason, Religion, and Loving Kindness)). He explained to the parish leaders the Salesian spirit and ambience, namely, Home, School, Church, and Playground, that welcome and form the young people. “The distinct character of the Salesian parish is that it is centered on young people,” Fr. John Christy added.

The program was a renewed calling for the People of God to return back to Vatican II. Lay formators recommended Deepagam organize a similar formative program for parish priests, provide regular opportunities for lay leadership training, and encourage members of the parish councils, pious associations, and other parish committees to study Vatican II documents deeply to put into practice its spirit of renewal in the Church and laity involvement.

The orientation day concluded with a Eucharistic celebration in which, together with the celebrants, the entire congregation took an oath to be the committed laity in the Church.

The road ahead for the Deepagam in this Lay Collaboration is planning to organize a ‘re-orientation day’ exclusively for parish priests as ongoing formation in line with catechesis for the clergy and consecrated people.

Parish priests of the Chennai Province made extraordinary efforts motivating and preparing their lay formators with spiritual, logistical, and financial support. Don Bosco Animation Center, Ennore, provided a “meaningful ambience” with hospitality and a venue befitting this communitarian get-together.