austraLasia #2539
EAO Retreat – We strive to be different
(A. Pereira sdb)
BATULAO (FIN): 16th November 2009 -- “Lets not glory in success, but always strive to be different”, said Fr. Franics Moloney sdb, to the confreres as he concluded the Retreat of Rectors for the EAO region. (The retreat is now over by almost a week - but remember, it's catchup time!)
At the Eucharistic celebration the previous evening we were challenged by Bishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle to be authentic examples of the disciples of Christ to the priests, community and society.
Mary Help of Christians House of Spirituality (Don Bosco Batulao) with its pleasant climate, excellent facilities and warm hospitality was indeed the ideal setting for the East-Asia-Oceania Rector’s retreat.
64 salesians with an average age of 51 hailing from 9 countries and every province of the region attended the retreat.
The Retreat was preached by Fr. Francis J. Moloney sdb, Provincial Superior of the Australia-Pacific Province. It had as its theme – ‘Discipleship’. With the help of scriptural texts and dwelling strongly on the Gospel of Mark, the preacher, Fr. Moloney opened scripture, gave new insights and above all enabled the participants draw parallels to their own situations and their lives.
‘The retreat on the Gospel of Mark has been very enlightening’ – Fr. Andy Satura, FIS
‘It is wonderful that something old could be viewed from a new perspective’ – Fr. Noel Osial, FIN
‘The insights and the reflections were deeply provoking – not only intellectually, but also interiorly – Fr. Albert Lenon, PNG-SI
‘The conferences were very helpful to enable the participants reflect on their vocation’ – Fr. Maurice Vallence, MYM
‘The meditations on ‘Discipleship’ which focused on the various figures of the Jews, the apostles, the others including Mother Mary – made me realize the fragility and at the same time the nobility of our response to Jesus’ invitation – ‘to be with Him’. The Apostles mirrored our weakness and made us see the reason why. Mary mirrored the cause of our strength to become true disciples. Holding on and trusting in the Love of God was the reason for everything’ – Aaron E Alcoseba, FIS
The programme was well planned and the retreatants had plenty of time for personal reflection. Food, lodging and other needs were well cared for by the community. The retreatants enjoyed the excellent Family Spirit – that has brought confers together from far corners of the region – Pakistan and Mongolia in the North to East Timor and the Solomon Islands. The sharing of the Rectors at the Good nights gave a good knowledge of the activities and difficulties of the EAO region.
‘We are the newest region in the congregation. We realize how diverse we are. The coming together has given us an opportunity to know and interact with each other and know that we are diverse and belong to a region so diverse”, said Fr. Francis Gustilo, as he expressed appreciation for the confreres coming together for the Retreat.
Special thanks to Fr. Eli Cruz, Provincial of the FIN Province, Fr. Francis Gustilo the coordinator and Fr. Christopher Kennedy, Rector of the community for the excellent arrangements to ensure that the every need was well catered to.
Refreshed and renewed - some have returned home, while the others are attending the Rectors Formation.
_________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2009 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
Title: australasia 2539
Subject and key words: EAO General Rectors' Retreat
Date (year): 2009
ID: 2000-2099|2539
EAO Retreat – We strive to be different
(A. Pereira sdb)
BATULAO (FIN): 16th November 2009 -- “Lets not glory in success, but always strive to be different”, said Fr. Franics Moloney sdb, to the confreres as he concluded the Retreat of Rectors for the EAO region. (The retreat is now over by almost a week - but remember, it's catchup time!)
At the Eucharistic celebration the previous evening we were challenged by Bishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle to be authentic examples of the disciples of Christ to the priests, community and society.
Mary Help of Christians House of Spirituality (Don Bosco Batulao) with its pleasant climate, excellent facilities and warm hospitality was indeed the ideal setting for the East-Asia-Oceania Rector’s retreat.
64 salesians with an average age of 51 hailing from 9 countries and every province of the region attended the retreat.
The Retreat was preached by Fr. Francis J. Moloney sdb, Provincial Superior of the Australia-Pacific Province. It had as its theme – ‘Discipleship’. With the help of scriptural texts and dwelling strongly on the Gospel of Mark, the preacher, Fr. Moloney opened scripture, gave new insights and above all enabled the participants draw parallels to their own situations and their lives.
‘The retreat on the Gospel of Mark has been very enlightening’ – Fr. Andy Satura, FIS
‘It is wonderful that something old could be viewed from a new perspective’ – Fr. Noel Osial, FIN
‘The insights and the reflections were deeply provoking – not only intellectually, but also interiorly – Fr. Albert Lenon, PNG-SI
‘The conferences were very helpful to enable the participants reflect on their vocation’ – Fr. Maurice Vallence, MYM
‘The meditations on ‘Discipleship’ which focused on the various figures of the Jews, the apostles, the others including Mother Mary – made me realize the fragility and at the same time the nobility of our response to Jesus’ invitation – ‘to be with Him’. The Apostles mirrored our weakness and made us see the reason why. Mary mirrored the cause of our strength to become true disciples. Holding on and trusting in the Love of God was the reason for everything’ – Aaron E Alcoseba, FIS
The programme was well planned and the retreatants had plenty of time for personal reflection. Food, lodging and other needs were well cared for by the community. The retreatants enjoyed the excellent Family Spirit – that has brought confers together from far corners of the region – Pakistan and Mongolia in the North to East Timor and the Solomon Islands. The sharing of the Rectors at the Good nights gave a good knowledge of the activities and difficulties of the EAO region.
‘We are the newest region in the congregation. We realize how diverse we are. The coming together has given us an opportunity to know and interact with each other and know that we are diverse and belong to a region so diverse”, said Fr. Francis Gustilo, as he expressed appreciation for the confreres coming together for the Retreat.
Special thanks to Fr. Eli Cruz, Provincial of the FIN Province, Fr. Francis Gustilo the coordinator and Fr. Christopher Kennedy, Rector of the community for the excellent arrangements to ensure that the every need was well catered to.
Refreshed and renewed - some have returned home, while the others are attending the Rectors Formation.
_________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2009 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there. Or be interactive with the EAO blog Cetera Tolle. Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org
Title: australasia 2539
Subject and key words: EAO General Rectors' Retreat
Date (year): 2009
ID: 2000-2099|2539
