By Fr. Jake Lopez, SDB
Curatorium Secretary
Parañaque, Manila, Philippines, 23 August 2019 -- The second Curatorium of the 3 formation settings at Paranaque was held on 22 August : Don Bosco School of Theology (Institute of Theology) - until last year called DBCS (Don Bosco Center of Studies), Seminaryo ng Don Bosco (SnDB) and Sandor community. It was the second consecutive day of the Curatorium meetings, once again animated by the General Councillor for Formation, Fr Ivo Coelho. This time it was a larger meeting than on 21 August: 9 provincials, one vice-provincial and three Delegation superiors of the EAO region.
During the morning Eucharist at which all formators and young Salesians were present, Fr. Ivo was the main celebrant, (Memorial of Queenship of Mary) with a homily on consecrated life. The newly published book "7th EAO Salesian Brother's Congress 2018' held in Vietnam last August (ed. DBPI Manila, Br. Carmelo Martinez) was launched at this Eucharist. Breakfast for the Superiors was offered by the Seminaryo ng Don Bosco Community.
In the first part of the Paranaque Curatorium most of the time was dedicated to the drafting of the new Curatorium statutes by the 'member provinces' (FIN, FIS, GIA, INA, KOR, MYM, PGS, TLS, VIE and three Delegations of Cambodia, Mongolia and the Pakistan) with broader implications for shared responsibility for personnel (both formation guides and teaching personnel). There was a good opportunity to listen and further explore the reports from both formation communities and the DBST regarding formation challenges, personnel and financial issues: Three rectors, three local economers and both president of the DBTS (Fr Mike La Guardia) and Vice-dean of ITF - Institute of Theology (Fr Steven Placente).
The lunch at the Rinaldi community was a good chance for family sharing at small tables and being entertained by the songs of SnDB community students from 14 different countries. During the day the superiors and Fr Ivo maximized the opportunity for many face-to-face mutual sharing opportunities, information or clarifications with the formators, academic authorities or among themselves.
The second part of the Curatorium in the afternoon time was dedicated to a discussion by the Provincials and Delegation superiors to refine the revised Curatorium statutes and other matters raised in the morning session. Based on the newly approved Statutes, the Curatorium member provinces will finalize a 6-year qualification plan for preparation of formators and teaching personnel for Paranaque communities (2020-2026), before GC28 ; a new secretary of the Curatorium (Fr Jake Lopez) was appointed, and a new scheme for economic sustainability and solidarity with the formation houses of Paranaque was approved.
Taking advantage of the 10 provincials presence, the already tired participants shared information relating to EAO sector coordination, including 3 new Coordinators (Formation, Missionary Animation and Salesian Family), DB TECH ASEAN coordination by Fr Dindo Vitung (FIN) and EAO Salesianity program for 2020 - three week course (March 15-April 5: Don Bosco History) and Salesian Pilgrimage (May 14-June 1) by Fr Francis Gustilo (FIN). Before the final prayer guided by Fr. Michael Lap (GIA) a few practical points for preparation for the incoming General Chapter 28 in Turin - Valdocco were shared.
At the end of the day everybody was tired but happy with the resultof their hard work. Next meeting of Paranaque Curatorium is scheduled for 22 October 2020.
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