FIN

By Fr Drans Nolasco, SDB

Mandaluyong City, the Philippines, 26 August 2019 -- The Salesians of the Philippines North Province (FIN) gathered together at Don Bosco Technical College, Mandaluyong City for their Quarterly Recollection.

The objectives of this quarterly province recollection are the following:

1. The confreres continue the discernment process of the SYNODO done by various groups in July 2019, moving from listening to the discerning phase of the process.
2. In a climate of personal and community prayer, the confreres personally further discern the Way Forward, the result of the synthesis of data gathered in the Listening Phase done by various groups and Focused Group Discussion (FGD).
3. In local community, the confreres discuss their insights from their personal discernment and propose lines of action for the next three years for the community to take to respond to the present pastoral situation in the setting that needs personal and pastoral conversion and renewal of youth ministry in their setting.

The day began with the 8:30am Lectio Divina at the Roderick Flores Hall. Fr. Juvelan Samia, SDB led the whole assembly in this Lectio Divina, using the Emmaus Story as the scripture passage.

Fr. Joebeth Vivo, SDB, head of the Commission on Youth Ministry, gave a half an hour update about the SYNODO, that is, the FIN Province journey towards a renewed Salesian Youth Ministry in the Province with and for the young people.

Fr. Gerry Martin, SDB, the FIN Provincial Superior, gave the Motivational Talk on discernment and accompaniment.

After these inputs, the confreres proceeded to the St. John Bosco Chapel for the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and benediction. Fr. Bob Zarate, SDB, gave a reflection on Religious life during this time.

A half an hour for personal reflection followed after the benediction before everyone was asked to go to their respective communities’ assigned classrooms for their group sharing.

Midday prayer and lunch followed. By 1:00pm, everyone proceeded to their respective classrooms again for the continuation of their community sharing. The result of their sharing will be offered during the 3:00pm Holy Mass.

Fr. Provincial was the main celebrant at the Holy Mass with Fr. Rey dela Cruz, SDB, the head of the Formation Commission, as the homilist.

Just before the end of the Holy Mass, assembly gave Fr. Oliver Bautista, SDB as send-off blessing as he is scheduled to leave the following day for his missionary formation in Rome before proceeding to the missions. He asked the province to pray for him as he thanked all the confreres for the years he spent in the province.

The day ended with a wonderful group picture taking at the Mary Help of Christians quadrangle, Don Bosco Technical College – Mandaluyong landmark.

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