Hong kong -- From November 15th – 18th the Salesians in Hong Kong graciously hosted the Provincial Delegates for Missionary Animation (PDMA). The PDMA were joined by Fr. Alfred Maravilla sdb and Fr. Guillermo Basanes sdb from the Missions Sector in Rome.
Confreres were represented from the CIN, FIN, FIS, GIA, ITM, KOR, PGS, THA, Cambodia and Mongolia provinces and delegations. The AUL province was represented by the first lay PDMA in the Region.
The enthusiasm and passion of the group was evident from the very first discussions. The group pondered at great length how to light and keep the missionary fire alive in confreres and the Salesian family, particularly through the celebration of the annual Salesian Missions Day. Much discussion and time was also devoted to talking about the synergy that is necessary for youth ministry and mission animation. Also discussed was the synergy that needs to take place at a regional and congregational level, particularly in the area of Salesian Voluntary Service.
Fr. Alfred led the group through a revised understanding of the role of a PDMA. The primary objective for the PDMA is to ‘keep alive in every Salesian and every member of the educative-pastoral community the missionary ardour and foster the missionary culture’. The second and equally important objective is to ‘help the Salesians discern the missionary vocation ad exteros, ad gentes, ad vitam’.
These objectives come directly from an updated publication that details the role of the PDMA. The final stages of the English version are now being completed and the publication is due to be circulated before the end of 2016. The tasks of the PDMA are now divided into the following areas of responsibility – collaboration and working with – Salesians, missionaries, formation, youth ministry, Social communication and the Salesian Family and the level of Procures Salesian NGO. These distinctions have made the role and tasks of the PMDA very clear.
The presence and guidance of Fr. Alfred and Fr. Guillermo was much appreciated. The message in terms of missionary vocation was clear – we need to understand that we are a world wide congregation and for this reason we need to break down the perception that certain provinces are provinces that either ‘send’ or ‘receive’ missionaries. The Rector Major is clear that all provinces need to be open to the giving and receiving of missionaries.
Over the three days there was a lot of fruitful discussion, much sharing from all the Provinces represented and a good deal of laughter! The meeting was concluded by a half-day visit to the many sights of Hong Kong. Prior to finishing with an excellent Chinese meal, the PDMA prayed together in front of the relic of Don Bosco. The three days also included many beautiful prayerful experiences such as this one.
The EAO Coordinator for the PDMAs, Fr. Andrew Fung sdb, must be congratulated for hosting and facilitating an excellent meeting. All that were involved gained much insight and most importantly a rekindling the missionary fire.
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東亞澳區會省傳教委員會議
Ms. Lauren Hichaaba 撰
傳教辦公室譯
【慈幼通訊社 ─ 2016 年 11月 18 日香港訊】 ─ 11月15至18日，香港的慈幼會會士主辦了東亞澳區會省傳教委員會議。當中，羅馬慈幼傳教部門 Guillermo Basanes 神父和 Alfred Maravilla 神父參與其中。
參與是次會議的會士，分別來自中國、菲律賓北部、菲律賓南部、日本、東帝汶、韓國、巴布亞新幾內亞、泰國、柬埔寨、蒙古會省和代理會省；澳洲會省則由東亞澳區第一位平信徒代表出席。
會議初期，已明顯感受到各人的雀躍與熱忱，並用了相當時間，分享了如何在會省內，將傳教心火，再次點燃慈幼會會士和慈幼家庭成員的內心，特別是透過年度慈幼傳教周的慶祝，使薪火得以相傳。此外，會議亦花了不少時間，討論如何在青年牧民和傳教策勵之間，無論是在地區層面或修會層面，營造同心協力作用，特別是在慈幼傳教義工服務的範疇裡。
Alfred 神父帶領會議，重新審視會省傳教策勵委員的角色。傳教委員的首要任務，是要「促使每一位慈幼會會士和教育牧民團體成員，保存這份傳教熱忱，並孕育傳教文化」。第二項同樣重要的任務，是要「幫助慈幼會會士辨識終身到海外往訓萬民的傳教聖召」。
上述這些目的，取自《會省傳教策勵委員手冊》的修訂版，裡面詳述傳教委員的角色。英文版本正在作最後階段審議，並擬於2016年年底發行。會省傳教委員所負責的任務，可分為下列範疇──與不同單位的人事合作和共事，例如：慈幼會會士、傳教士、培育者、青年牧民、社會傳意工作者、慈幼家庭，以及慈幼會非牟利機構的籌款部門。這樣的劃分，讓會省傳教委員的角色和任務更清晰。
非常感謝 Guillermo 與 Alfred 神父的臨在和指導。有關傳教聖召的信息十分清晰──我們需要明白到，我們的修會是世界性的，因此必須破除一些認為只有某些會省才會「派遣」或「接納」傳教士的看法。總會長清楚指出，所有會省必須抱著開放的態度，去「派遣」或「接納」傳教士。
過去這三天，有著許多具建設性、啟發性的研討成果，而且也有充滿著來自各會省代表的歡笑聲！最後，是次會議以半天遊訪香港名勝作結束。在享用豐富中式晚餐前，各會省傳教委員一起到鄧鏡波學校會祖聖鮑思高神父聖髑前一起祈禱。事實上，這三天也包含了許多美麗的祈禱經歷，猶如在聖髑前的一樣。
是次東亞澳區的會省傳教委員會議，由中華會省馮神華神父擔任統籌，衷心祝賀和感謝主辦單位的籌備，以致會議能順利完滿結束。所有與會者均獲益良多，最重要的是重燃傳教士的心火。