Formed at the NCCYM
By Matteo Vecera
I like to consider myself a part of the Salesian family. I saw my first “Salesian” in the spring of 1990. Sr. Francine was mowing the lawn with her “penguin suit” on, and I was thinking to myself how that was such a cool sight to see. It was so natural…so down to earth. I was intrigued, because I always felt that priests and sisters were so high up, sitting on their thrones, and so untouchable. I always asked myself, “How and why would they want to relate to me?” I was 18 years old, just beginning to understand life and not knowing which direction to turn to. I asked feebly that day to work at their summer camp, fast forward 24 years later and I’m still working at summer camp (best job in the world people!!!).
During this amazing journey, the Salesians have opened up their homes and lives to me by trusting me, challenging me, eating with me, going out with me, praying with and for me; I have learned about and lived the spirit of Don Bosco all my adult life. Now at a tender age of 43, I am helping to coordinate the Don Bosco Youth Leadership Centre (that I helped create in 1997) in Montreal, Canada.
I have been going through some (maybe) natural questions of what the next phase of my life should/will be. With 4 young children and living a modest life, I often worry that I’m “taking care” of so many young people while wondering if I am doing the same for my own family? It is a real struggle in a harsh world. Was I losing faith in my role as part of the Salesian family? Were real issues like mortgage, security and prosperity, for my family and me, conflicting with my job? Yes and no. Because I never felt this work was a job; instead, it was an extension of my life. It is a calling to do my small part in introducing and challenging young people to have Jesus as the center of their lives through the teachings and spirituality of Don Bosco. Is it a mid-life crisis? I don’t know.
So I arrived in St. Antonio, Texas with much apprehension, but with an open heart and an open mind. And what I found those days was a rekindling of my spirit. I found again my passion for service and prayer. I found conviction that Don Bosco’s preventive method was just as (or maybe more) relevant in today’s society. But most importantly, I found hope and finality that “yes” this is where I belong. This is what I want to do for the rest of my life…offering my gifts and talents to do my part in creating a positive impact in a young person’s life and in my community.
This is what I found in a stuffy conference room in St. Antonio. I found joy and simplicity. I found love and awareness. I found hope and courage. I found friendship and enthusiasm. I found people genuinely living and loving their vocation. I found myself…and I found Don Bosco alive and well. From the old generation to the new generation…all our hopes and fears are the same in all our different Salesian ministries. This conference reignited my spirit, my “raison d’etre” (french expression, look it up!) and for that I am thankful. I am blessed and I am broken…and that’s ok. Because after all, “education is a matter of the heart.” Viva Don Bosco!!!
During this amazing journey, the Salesians have opened up their homes and lives to me by trusting me, challenging me, eating with me, going out with me, praying with and for me; I have learned about and lived the spirit of Don Bosco all my adult life. Now at a tender age of 43, I am helping to coordinate the Don Bosco Youth Leadership Centre (that I helped create in 1997) in Montreal, Canada.
I have been going through some (maybe) natural questions of what the next phase of my life should/will be. With 4 young children and living a modest life, I often worry that I’m “taking care” of so many young people while wondering if I am doing the same for my own family? It is a real struggle in a harsh world. Was I losing faith in my role as part of the Salesian family? Were real issues like mortgage, security and prosperity, for my family and me, conflicting with my job? Yes and no. Because I never felt this work was a job; instead, it was an extension of my life. It is a calling to do my small part in introducing and challenging young people to have Jesus as the center of their lives through the teachings and spirituality of Don Bosco. Is it a mid-life crisis? I don’t know.
So I arrived in St. Antonio, Texas with much apprehension, but with an open heart and an open mind. And what I found those days was a rekindling of my spirit. I found again my passion for service and prayer. I found conviction that Don Bosco’s preventive method was just as (or maybe more) relevant in today’s society. But most importantly, I found hope and finality that “yes” this is where I belong. This is what I want to do for the rest of my life…offering my gifts and talents to do my part in creating a positive impact in a young person’s life and in my community.
This is what I found in a stuffy conference room in St. Antonio. I found joy and simplicity. I found love and awareness. I found hope and courage. I found friendship and enthusiasm. I found people genuinely living and loving their vocation. I found myself…and I found Don Bosco alive and well. From the old generation to the new generation…all our hopes and fears are the same in all our different Salesian ministries. This conference reignited my spirit, my “raison d’etre” (french expression, look it up!) and for that I am thankful. I am blessed and I am broken…and that’s ok. Because after all, “education is a matter of the heart.” Viva Don Bosco!!!