I have already told you that in my center, after 25 years without new vocations, we are forming a second cohort of aspirants (they are women). Of the first, 2 (who are Mexican) have already made their promise in 2024 and are now coordinator (Araceli) and the other (Gabriela) administrator. In May, another 2 should make their promise (Roxanna (Peruvian) and Mariel (Mexican)). Another who completed her formation is Anna, whom you saw for the final prayer of the formation meeting, she is in reflection (she is Vietnamese by blood and her widowed mother became a Visitandine (a nun of the family of St. Francis de Sales)
These new members mostly work with Sister Ethel FMA in the early childhood center and Araceli works for the Savio FMA community of Montreal. They are very active, very joyful and all have an exemplary devotion to the Virgin Mary
And now the spirit sends us another 2 women from Lebanon and who did not know each other at first sight. Diala grew up with the FMA in Lebanon and discovered only in 2023 after several years of installation in Quebec, that the Salesian Family was present in Canada. At a parish event she met Fairouz, whom she only knew by name of Don Bosco and together they follow the initial formation that I and Sister Alphonsine Roy, our delegate, give them.
Today I asked Fairouz Hanna to introduce herself to us from the regional secretariat,
The Hope does not disappoint»
My name is Fairouz Hanna. I am married and the mother of two teenagers aged 13 and 15. I was born in Zahlé, Lebanon, into a deeply religious and practicing family, who instilled in me the faith and love of God from a very young age. In 2002, my parents decided to immigrate to Canada in the hope of a better future.
At the age of 17, I began teaching catechism to a group of young children. Then, at the age of 20, I took charge of the animation of teenagers, a mission that I continue to this day.
Academically, I have a degree in psychology, a certificate in intervention with young people from the University of Montreal, as well as a certificate in theology from the Montreal Institute of Theological Formation. I first worked as a companion for autistic children, before serving for a few years as deputy general secretary of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Quebec, at the Council for Evangelization and Christian Life.
I am currently Vice-Chancellor of the Eparchy of Saint-Sauveur for the Greek Melkites Catholics of Canada and Director of the Diocesan Youth Office (CMYA – Canadian Melkite Youth Association).
In 2021, I founded a group of young adults in my parish of Saint-Élie in Laval. Today, I am responsible for this group as well as that of teenagers, each of which has more than 50 members.
At the diocesan level, we organize an annual convention that brings together 300 to 400 young adults, as well as a festival for teenagers, which brings together more than 300 participants each year. As part of this mission, I had the opportunity to organize 3 trips for young people to participate in World Youth Days (Brazil, Poland, Portugal).
At the same time, I am also a screenwriter and actress, with a great passion for theater. I have written more than 25 plays on the lives of the saints, as well as some comedies in which I have also acted.
When I was about 25, I saw a film about the life of Don Bosco that left a deep impression on me. His personality and his mission with young people inspired me to the point that I decided to take him as my patron saint. Through him, I learned a lot about how to accompany young people, and he remains my model of holiness in this mission.
Last year, on the day of Don Bosco’s feast, Diala, who is now an aspirant with me and helps me in the animation of the group of teenagers, spoke to me about the formation to become a Salesian Cooperator. I had never heard of this vocation before. The idea of ​​being part of Don Bosco’s family filled me with joy, and I immediately decided to take the plunge. We have been following this formation together for a year and, God willing, we hope to be able to make our promise on the day of Don Bosco’s feast next year.