Listening and accompaniment: main ministry of the Rector

By Our Own Correspondent

Cheung Chau, Hong Kong, 27 November 2018 -- On the third day (27 November) of the 2018 EAO Regional formation course for new rectors, the Hong Kong - Cheung Chau weather was blessing participants with a constant drizzle. Only during the midday group photo session was there a good opportunity for posing in the China province gift to participatns - a brand new Salesian Youth Movement yellow and black jacket.

The morning session was once more guided by Fr Henry Bonetti (KOR) with a focus on Don Bosco's Preventive system as lived in a fraternal community. His well-prepared rich input might serve the new rectors for a long time as food for personal reflection as well for the animation of their confreres. In the afternoon session moderated by Br. Raymond Callo (FIN) the rectors took another look at the dynamics of spiritual accompaniment, this time based also on the worldwide Salesian survey of spiritual accompaniment and its interpretation in all five continents. The last session in particular was enlivened by many questions relating to the personal chat with the rector, the traditional 'rendiconto'.

At the end of lunch EAO Rectors had a chance to listen to a brief greeting from the World Councillor for the EAO ASC Region (Association of Salesian Cooperators) Mr Philip Yu, who came to discuss the preparation of next 2019 Cambodia-based formation of formators (both ASC and SDB/FMA delegates). Philip also appreciated the accompaniment of the 12 rectors present who are also Delegates to the ASC local centres. Rectors can bring back home their own copy of the PAL (Project of Apostolic Life) ed. 2013 in English.

Another special point was the fiery morning Eucharist homily delivered by Fr Angello (TLS, Rector of Baucau) on appreciation of our own weakness as a contribution to Salesian leadership, then the good night shared by Rector-to-be, Fr Charles (THA, Cambodia - Phnom Penh) on the need for listening and speaking at the appropriate times.

The presence of the EAO regional councillor, Fr Klement, was profited from with a brief sharing in the early afternoon - presenting the whole EAO region with 23 countries, 12 provinces, 5 delegations and about 1500 SDB and novices of our Region (PPT is available on Boscolink), and, upon request, presenting also the 5 top challenges of the EAO region: fostering the active involvement of the young (SYM); welcoming and accompanying our lay people as mission partners; witnessing amid growing secularisation; sharing and growth in communion in spite of distance or a variety of situations and the need for more effective accompaniment.

Before the last full day of the formation course (November 28) some new - 'old' rectors share their feelings:

"I am really grateful for this opportunity to attend this course; I wish it had been in the first year or even before taking office. I have learnt a lot from listening to the experienced confreres and in our sharing. I knew many things.... half of them, but this course made me realise and helped me to grow more in my vocational journey... It taught me so much to take back home and put into practice as rector of the community. I need to give more time to confreres and be patient in listening to each one. I will try my best to be an example to other Salesians and young people who are entrusted to our care. This formation course helped me know myself better and gave me so many things to animate my community better. I learnt much from listening and sharing with confreres in groups. Thanks to the provincial and the organising committee of the China province" (THA province)

"It's an amazing feeling and of huge benefit to meet so many Salesians from our region, where I have been working for 22 years but never met any of them. I knew about our EAO region, about the existence of its missions, I was reading the news about their work but it was so far away that it was hardly possible to make me feel for them and even to pray for them because personal encounter is irreplaceable.

Secondly, the input from Fr Henry (mornings: on the ministry of the Rector) and by Br. Mon (afternoons: self-formation and accompaniment) showed us possible ways of starting out on our journey as a rector. Thirdly, how great it has been to meet many fascinating missionaries with joyful enthusiasm for Salesian spirituality, along with the wise presence of senior men like Fr Lanfranco Fedrigotti. Fourthly I set foot on Chinese shores which I had only ever imagined before: 40 years ago as a young Salesian we sung the hymn to Versiglia and Caravario and I never thought that I would reach Hong Kong one day, be close to Macau and their place of martyrdom. And of course, the blood of the first Salesians in our Region brings a rich harvest for the future as well! - I hope that many more fruits will be harvested when back in my community!" (Australia-Pacific Province, AUL)

After the last full day of the Rectors formation (28 November), the participants have an opportunity for a pilgrimage around most of the Salesian works in Hong Kong (29 November) before returning to their respective provinces!

The power point presentation on the EAO Region - for download (2018.11 version)

Related article

• Australasia 4930 (II) EAO Rectors learning together in Hong Kong
• AustraLasia 4931 (II) Sharing by day, Oratory by night in Cheung Chau

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