By Ms Milagros Wurthrich, ASC

Talamban, the Philippines, 24 April 2019 -- Also our FIS province is preparing for the upcoming EAO Formation Workshop in Cambodia (May 24-27). Last Wednesday, 24 April, three SDB Delegates and four senior Salesian Cooperators met at the SDB Provincial House in Talamban - Cebu, to reflect on the initial and ongoing formation experience in view of our regional workshop.

Initial reflection guided by Fr Orlando Borres (Provincial Delegate SDB) and enriched by Fr Daniel Elemia and Fr Ronel Vilbar was enlightened by the concrete program sharing of the ACS formators from Cebu and Negros. Although the 2015 edition of the 'ASC Formation Guidelines' is published and circulated, the new paradigm of the 3 vocation dimensions (human, spiritual and Salesian) and of 4 pillars (know, know how to do, know how to be, know how to live together) is still to be 'digested' and reflected on for its practical implications.

Here are some highlights from our sharing:

• Now I appreciate the new (ed. 2015) ASC Formation Guidelines. It's really a treasure, a fruit of the 40 year journey of our Association within the Salesian family!
• We need to foster more the formation of ASC formators and make our formation resources more available to all.
• Monitoring the vocation journey of our candidates (aspirants) in a personalized way is very important (passport)
• We are called to treasure more the models - inspiration of our Holy Salesian Cooperators, like Mamma Margaret, Alessandrina da Costa, Attilio Giordani, Matilde Salem and many others.
• We need more Salesianity 'experts' among us, like the 3 week annual course in Manila-Paranaque
• True formation strengthens our apostolate & mission. Where there is true Youth Ministry, the vocation of the Salesian Cooperators will also flourish
• Based on the Special General Chapter of the SDB (1970-1971), the point of reference for our formation is always the whole Salesian Family (SGC, no.150). There is a note that 45 years ago some 70 SDB novices emerged from the young Salesian Cooperators

The wisdom from the local centres normally brings together the following 'appeals': Need for the formation of formators - Salesian Cooperators who are able to accompany others on their vocation journey, need to integrate in our formation program at the end of each 'lesson' one practical point for action, need to learn better how to divide our 'modules' into 'lesson plans' with continuous evaluation; need to separate the formation of the young ASC from the adults or senior Salesian Cooperators.

In the presence of our Delegates the need emerged to appoint well-prepared and knowledgeable Delegates, both SDB and FMA (NB: in the FIS territory there are only 3 FMA communities and not yet any FMA sister appointed to the provincial council), who have sufficient time to accompany the centres - but especially those who really KNOW our VOCATION, like Fr ... (!). There is a felt need for 2 or 3 annual meetings for formation evaluation.

We are grateful for another step on our FIS province journey, we are looking full of hope to the promising future. There are many young people and their families who are waiting for us. We just need to continue with consistent commitment our vocation - mission journey inspired by quality formation!

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