“It started
in Hua Hin, last year in August during the All-Asia VDB spiritual retreat. During a short working meeting with Olga and
other VDB Central Councillors, the longest serving among the ten Ecclesiastical
Assistants present exclaimed: “Is there
no opportunity for our formation?”
This was how Fr. Vaclav Klement introduced the meeting which transpired
at the St. Paul Center for Renewal in Alfonso, Cavite on November 19 – 21,
2015.
Fr. Joan Lluis
Playa, SDB headed the list of 23 Salesians who participated. Olga K. and two
other members of the VDB Central Council as well as 4 VDBs from Asia were
present.
The one-year
preparation was spearheaded by Fr. Vaclav Klement, SDB – Regional Councillor
for East Asia – Oceania. It consisted of
the survey of the Provincials, the Ecclesiastical Assistants and the VDBs of
Asia. Based on the results of the
surveys, the group and plenary discussions centered on two themes:
ØTheme 1 – VDB Vocation – Life –
Mission between the fidelity to the Constitutions and the Asian Cultures: for VDB life modification within the culture
and VDB Constitutions fidelity
ØTheme 2 – Formation of the
Ecclesiastical Assistant
From the
various substantial discussions, the following conclusions were drawn up:
VDB – (Olga)
1.Deepen the sensibility of our
VDB members for the vocation identity in order to understand their own secular
consecrated Salesian vocation;
2.Develop the cultural
sensibility in order to deepen the roots of our presence in the world (in
dialogue with the culture, religions and the poor people of Asia);
3.Together, to look for the
possibility of VDB vocation promotion;
4.Develop the communication
between the different levels of the structures of the VDB (Center, Regions, Assistants
of Asia, Groups Dependent on the Center);
5.Develop the holistic formation
that unites all the elements of the human person: human – Christian –
consecrated – secular – salesian)
Ecclesiastical
Assistants (Fr. Joan Lluis Playa, SDB)
1.Foster the knowledge and wider
formation of the VDB Ecclesiastical Assistants about the Secular Institute of
the VDB, about the secular consecration and about the task and intervention
within the formation process of the VDB Aspirants;
2.Foster the knowledge about the VDB
+ CDB Charism among the Salesians SDB and FMA in their local communities (e.g. simple modules or video clips on the
YouTube – 5 minutes starting from the life experience as in the “At the rhythm
of Don Bosco , ed. VDB 2013);
3.Guarantee within the SDB initial
formation Salesianity program the knowledge about the VDB Secular Institute;
4.Develop the way how to exchange
the experiences and materials (practical aids) for the VDB formation;
5.Foster the sensibility of
discovering the possible CDB vocation in connection with the CDB Central
Assistant (Fr.. Joan Lluis Playa);
6.Guarantee the translation of
the (important-necessary) documents of the VDB – CDB in English and other East
Asian languages.
The first
ever VDB Asia Ecclesiastical Assistants’ Formation 3-day meeting was hectic but
proceeded smoothly. This was despite the
inconveniences brought about by the delayed or cancelled flights as a
consequence of the security measures for the then on-going APEC (Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation) meeting in Manila.
In a typical
Salesian fashion, the last evening together was marked by the international
flavour of native songs from the participating Asian countries. The Europeans representing Slovakia and Spain
could not be outdone. So much laughter was evoked by the “chicken dance” from
East Timor and the sounds of the “train” from Spain. It was a fraternity night that cemented the
ties of the SDBs and the VDBs after coming out with the resolution of working
together to make things better in moving forward the consecrated, secular,
salesian vocation of the Volunteers of Don Bosco in Asia.
The gathering
proved the importance of being part of a family, the Salesian Family. We experienced the cooperation of the
different Salesians and Salesian communities that accommodated the participants
and provided transportation facilities and other logistical support. To all of them, we express our deepest
gratitude. The biggest thanks go to Fr. Vaclav Klement who, guided by the Holy
Spirit orchestrated the entire historical event. This should make Don Bosco and
Don Rinaldi smile!
VDB – ASIA ECCLESIASTICAL ASSISTANTS’ FORMATION
EAO EA Formation Report.docx - for download
“It started in Hua Hin, last year in August during the All-Asia VDB spiritual retreat. During a short working meeting with Olga and other VDB Central Councillors, the longest serving among the ten Ecclesiastical Assistants present exclaimed: “Is there no opportunity for our formation?” This was how Fr. Vaclav Klement introduced the meeting which transpired at the St. Paul Center for Renewal in Alfonso, Cavite on November 19 – 21, 2015.
Fr. Joan Lluis Playa, SDB headed the list of 23 Salesians who participated. Olga K. and two other members of the VDB Central Council as well as 4 VDBs from Asia were present.
The one-year preparation was spearheaded by Fr. Vaclav Klement, SDB – Regional Councillor for East Asia – Oceania. It consisted of the survey of the Provincials, the Ecclesiastical Assistants and the VDBs of Asia. Based on the results of the surveys, the group and plenary discussions centered on two themes:
Ø Theme 1 – VDB Vocation – Life – Mission between the fidelity to the Constitutions and the Asian Cultures: for VDB life modification within the culture and VDB Constitutions fidelity
Ø Theme 2 – Formation of the Ecclesiastical Assistant
From the various substantial discussions, the following conclusions were drawn up:
VDB – (Olga)
1. Deepen the sensibility of our VDB members for the vocation identity in order to understand their own secular consecrated Salesian vocation;
2. Develop the cultural sensibility in order to deepen the roots of our presence in the world (in dialogue with the culture, religions and the poor people of Asia);
3. Together, to look for the possibility of VDB vocation promotion;
4. Develop the communication between the different levels of the structures of the VDB (Center, Regions, Assistants of Asia, Groups Dependent on the Center);
5. Develop the holistic formation that unites all the elements of the human person: human – Christian – consecrated – secular – salesian)
Ecclesiastical Assistants (Fr. Joan Lluis Playa, SDB)
1. Foster the knowledge and wider formation of the VDB Ecclesiastical Assistants about the Secular Institute of the VDB, about the secular consecration and about the task and intervention within the formation process of the VDB Aspirants;
2. Foster the knowledge about the VDB + CDB Charism among the Salesians SDB and FMA in their local communities (e.g. simple modules or video clips on the YouTube – 5 minutes starting from the life experience as in the “At the rhythm of Don Bosco , ed. VDB 2013);
3. Guarantee within the SDB initial formation Salesianity program the knowledge about the VDB Secular Institute;
4. Develop the way how to exchange the experiences and materials (practical aids) for the VDB formation;
5. Foster the sensibility of discovering the possible CDB vocation in connection with the CDB Central Assistant (Fr.. Joan Lluis Playa);
6. Guarantee the translation of the (important-necessary) documents of the VDB – CDB in English and other East Asian languages.
The first ever VDB Asia Ecclesiastical Assistants’ Formation 3-day meeting was hectic but proceeded smoothly. This was despite the inconveniences brought about by the delayed or cancelled flights as a consequence of the security measures for the then on-going APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) meeting in Manila.
In a typical Salesian fashion, the last evening together was marked by the international flavour of native songs from the participating Asian countries. The Europeans representing Slovakia and Spain could not be outdone. So much laughter was evoked by the “chicken dance” from East Timor and the sounds of the “train” from Spain. It was a fraternity night that cemented the ties of the SDBs and the VDBs after coming out with the resolution of working together to make things better in moving forward the consecrated, secular, salesian vocation of the Volunteers of Don Bosco in Asia.
The gathering proved the importance of being part of a family, the Salesian Family. We experienced the cooperation of the different Salesians and Salesian communities that accommodated the participants and provided transportation facilities and other logistical support. To all of them, we express our deepest gratitude. The biggest thanks go to Fr. Vaclav Klement who, guided by the Holy Spirit orchestrated the entire historical event. This should make Don Bosco and Don Rinaldi smile!
Agnes P.
26 November, 2015