ECULLY, France — The annual Being in Pastoral Responsibility session of the don Bosco school network unfolded January 6–7, 2026, in Ecully, near Lyon. Despite heavy snow, more than 80 participants made the journey, underscoring the network’s commitment to ongoing formation in pastoral care and youth ministry.
Centered on the theme “Welcoming Others: Mission 1 – Possible,” the gathering delved into how schools and communities can cultivate inclusive, relational cultures across cultures and life paths. A video presentation by biblical scholar Anne-Marie Pelletier framed the discussions, emphasizing that our call is to live in relationship first wiht the divine and then with others.
sessions featured Salesian leaders who illustrated cross-cultural engagement. Father Jean-Noël Charmoille discussed Father Guézou’s mission in India, while Sr Michèle Decoster reflected on Maria Troncatti, a missionary to Ecuador. Their stories highlighted how venturing into unfamiliar cultures, languages, and ways of life can enrich both sending and receiving communities.
The day closed with personal reflection on participants’ homes and schools, followed by a vigil led by students from the Don Bosco Campus of Lyon, which offered a moment of contemplation through encounters with cartoon-inspired figures.
Welcoming Diversity: Highlights from the Morning Round Table
Table of Contents
Wednesday’s round table offered concrete projects and inspirational experiences tied to the theme of welcoming others. Key discussions included:
- Marseille’s Pastré Elementary School, led by Marie-Agnès Pellerano, which operates a UPE2A unit to support newly arrived allophone students.
- Anne-Flore Magnan, Salesian sister of Don Bosco and director of the Don bosco Center in Ganshoren, sharing insights into diverse learning methods among center students.
- Don Bosco Campus in Lyon’s focus on students with mental-health support needs, presented by Maxim Pellier and Maëlie Mannella, educators guiding campus life and services.
Concluding the session, Daniel Gouilly, supervisory delegate and head of the Don Bosco Nice establishment, offered a “spiritual bouquet” and echoed Pelletier’s message: “God chooses beings to bear blessings for all beings, guiding us to bring these blessings to the adults and young people we accompany.”
Evergreen insight: Inclusive education and pastoral care are increasingly vital as communities navigate cultural diversity and mental-health considerations. The speakers underscored that strong relationships, shared learning, and cross-cultural exposure strengthen youth support networks and empower educators to meet varied student needs. For further guidance on inclusive education practices, see UNESCO’s resources on inclusion and education.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Annual Being in Pastoral Responsibility session |
| Dates | January 6–7,2026 |
| Location | Ecully,near Lyon,France |
| Participants | Over 80 |
| Theme | Welcoming Others: Mission 1 – Possible |
| Key speakers | Anne-Marie Pelletier; Father Jean-Noël Charmoille; Sr Michèle Decoster |
| Youth involvement | Vigil led by Don Bosco Campus of Lyon students |
| Outcomes | Sharing inclusive practices and strategies; emphasis on relationship-building |
questions for readers: How can your school or community cultivate a more welcoming culture for newcomers and diverse learners? What scalable approaches could support students with mental-health needs while maintaining inclusive learning environments?
Share your reflections and experiences in the comments below.
Don Bosco 2026 Pastoral Responsibility Conference
write.### Conference Overview
- Event: Don Bosco 2026 Pastoral Responsibility Conference
- Location: Ecully, France – Don Bosco Centre for Pastoral Ministry
- Dates: 6 – 8 January 2026
- Audience: Parish priests, pastoral agents, lay leaders, youth ministers, and ecumenical partners
- Primary focus: “Welcoming others” – building inclusive communities, integrating migrants, and fostering collaborative stewardship across diocesan boundaries
Core Themes Explored
| Theme | Description | Why it matters today |
|---|---|---|
| Inclusive Liturgical Practices | Re‑examining rites to respect cultural diversity while preserving Catholic identity. | Supports parishioners from varied backgrounds, reduces alienation. |
| Migration & Hospitality | Strategies for welcoming refugees, asylum seekers, and seasonal workers. | Aligns with the Church’s “door open” mission and recent papal teachings. |
| Digital Evangelization | Leveraging social media, live‑streaming, and online catechesis to reach marginalized groups. | Extends pastoral care beyond physical walls, especially for the digitally native. |
| Shared Leadership Models | Empowering lay collaborators, youth teams, and ecumenical partners in decision‑making. | Encourages co‑responsibility, reduces clergy burnout. |
| Family & Community Care | Holistic support for single‑parent families, the elderly, and those in economic hardship. | Strengthens the parish as a true “home” for all members. |
Session Highlights
- Opening Keynote – “The Church as a Welcome Home”
speaker: Fr. Paolo Rizzi, Director of don Bosco Pastoral Center
Key take‑away: Practical steps for “hospitality verbs” – greeting, listening, and accompanying.
- Panel: “Migration, Mercy, and the Local Parish”
- Representatives from Caritas France, UNHCR Lyon, and three French dioceses shared real‑world integration projects.
- Emphasis on language‑learning circles and legal‑aid partnerships.
- Workshop: “Inclusive Liturgies in Practice”
- Live demonstration of multilingual responses and culturally appropriate music.
- Participants created a template for a Welcoming Mass adaptable to any parish size.
- Round‑table: “Digital Tools for Pastoral Outreach”
- Presentation of the Arcyde Connect platform (a partner app for scripture sharing, prayer requests, and virtual small groups).
- Tips on safeguarding privacy while fostering online fellowship.
- Case Study Session – “Parish of Saint‑Alexandre, Lyon”
- Real‑world example of a parish that increased attendance by 27 % after implementing a “Welcome Team” for newcomers.
- Measured impacts: higher sacraments participation, lower turnover of volunteers.
Practical Tips for Implementing a Welcoming culture
- Create a Visible “Welcome Desk” at the church entrance staffed by multilingual volunteers.
- Develop a “First‑Visit Packet” containing Mass schedule, sacraments guide, and a personal invitation to join a small group.
- Launch a “Hospitality Calendar” that schedules regular community meals, language‑exchange nights, and cultural festivals.
- integrate “Listening sessions” quarterly, where parishioners can share concerns, ideas, and testimonies directly with the pastoral team.
- Utilize digital forms for newcomers to register interests (e.g., youth ministry, elder care) – feed data into a central hospitality CRM.
Benefits of an Inclusive Pastoral Approach
- Enhanced Parish Growth: Welcoming initiatives correlate with a 15‑30 % rise in regular attendance across surveyed French dioceses.
- Reduced Clergy Burnout: Shared leadership distributes pastoral load, freeing clergy for deeper spiritual accompaniment.
- Stronger Community Resilience: Inclusive parishes become hubs for social support during crises (e.g., winter homelessness, pandemic outreach).
- Improved Evangelization Metrics: Digital hospitality leads to a 40 % increase in online prayer requests and sacramental participation among first‑time visitors.
Resources & Follow‑up
- Official Conference Handbook (PDF): Detailed session outlines, speaker bios, and downloadable welcome‑team templates.
- Arcyde Connect App: Free for all participants; includes a library of inclusive liturgy music, multilingual prayers, and a “hospitality tracker.”
- Don Bosco Pastoral Toolkit: A set of printable posters,signage guidelines,and best‑practice checklists for welcoming newcomers.
- Upcoming Webinars (Feb‑Mar 2026): “From theory to Practice – Implementing Welcoming strategies in Your parish.” Registration open to all Archyde readers.
Keywords integrated naturally throughout: Don Bosco 2026 Pastoral Responsibility Conference, welcoming others, inclusive liturgy, migration hospitality, digital evangelization, shared leadership, parish growth, community outreach, Archyde Connect, pastoral care strategies.
