EIGHT FIN RECTORS JOIN THE FORMATION FOR NEW RECTORS By Fr. Drans Nolasco, SDB
K’ Long, Vietnam: Eight new Rectors of the FIN Province attended the EAO Formation for New Rectors held in K’Long, Vietnam last November 17-22, 2015. The FIN Rectors were: Fr. Jerry Santos (DB San Jose), Fr. Jay David (DBTI Tarlac), Fr. Alex Garces (DBTI Makati), Fr. Drans Nolasco (Provincial House), Fr. Bobby Roxas (DB Parish, Sta. Rosa), Fr. GC Carandang (DB Tondo), Fr. Ante Afable (DB Naga), and Fr. Arnold Sanico (Sandor Community). The meeting was supposed to be facilitated by Fr. Francis Gustilo and Bro. Mon Callo, both from the FIN Province. But since Fr. Gustilo failed to come after being stranded in a heavy traffic in Manila that caused him to miss his flight to Vietnam, Bro. Mon facilitated the whole six-day formation seminar for the 42 participants. Guided by the modules prepared by Fr. Gustilo in booklet form, Bro. Mon was able to manage in facilitating the formation seminar. He was also assisted by Fr. Joseph Phuoc, the head of the VIE Commission on Formation. The formation focused on the identity, the duties and responsibilities of the Salesian Rector. Personal reading, group sharing, and open forum helped the participants in deepening their understanding of their roles as Rector of their respective communities in the spirit of St. John Bosco. The FIN Rectors joined the organized tour around Da Lat City in the afternoon and early evening of November 20. After the seminar, the group spent an extra day (November 23) in Ho Chi Minh City for a whole day tour together with Fr. Joseph, the Parish Priest of Ben Cat Parish. Fr. Bong Borgueta (FIS), Fr. Charles Caspa (PNG-SI), Fr. Shoji Matthew (PNG-SI), and Fr. Visesio Muliaga (AUL) joined them in this one day tour. They were accommodated in the Diocesan Pastoral Center that is being managed by a Salesian, Fr. Vincent, the former Provincial Economer of the Vietnam Province. They visited the Pre-Novitiate Community in the morning and the Community of Ben Cat Youth Center in the afternoon. The Provincial Community gave them a hearty lunch. Then just before the day is over, they were welcomed by the Theologate Community for a fraternal dinner together with the students of Theology with a spontaneous program during dinner. The following day, they left the Pastoral Center right after breakfast for their flight back to Manila at 9:45am. A super big thanks to the confreres of the Vietnam Province for the great hospitality and warm camaraderie that they have given to the FIN Rectors and to all the other participants of this formation seminar. VIVA DON BOSCO!!!
By Fr. Drans Nolasco, SDB
K’ Long, Vietnam: Eight new Rectors of the FIN Province attended the EAO Formation for New Rectors held in K’Long, Vietnam last November 17-22, 2015. The FIN Rectors were: Fr. Jerry Santos (DB San Jose), Fr. Jay David (DBTI Tarlac), Fr. Alex Garces (DBTI Makati), Fr. Drans Nolasco (Provincial House), Fr. Bobby Roxas (DB Parish, Sta. Rosa), Fr. GC Carandang (DB Tondo), Fr. Ante Afable (DB Naga), and Fr. Arnold Sanico (Sandor Community).
The meeting was supposed to be facilitated by Fr. Francis Gustilo and Bro. Mon Callo, both from the FIN Province. But since Fr. Gustilo failed to come after being stranded in a heavy traffic in Manila that caused him to miss his flight to Vietnam, Bro. Mon facilitated the whole six-day formation seminar for the 42 participants. Guided by the modules prepared by Fr. Gustilo in booklet form, Bro. Mon was able to manage in facilitating the formation seminar. He was also assisted by Fr. Joseph Phuoc, the head of the VIE Commission on Formation.
The formation focused on the identity, the duties and responsibilities of the Salesian Rector. Personal reading, group sharing, and open forum helped the participants in deepening their understanding of their roles as Rector of their respective communities in the spirit of St. John Bosco.
The FIN Rectors joined the organized tour around Da Lat City in the afternoon and early evening of November 20.
After the seminar, the group spent an extra day (November 23) in Ho Chi Minh City for a whole day tour together with Fr. Joseph, the Parish Priest of Ben Cat Parish. Fr. Bong Borgueta (FIS), Fr. Charles Caspa (PNG-SI), Fr. Shoji Matthew (PNG-SI), and Fr. Visesio Muliaga (AUL) joined them in this one day tour. They were accommodated in the Diocesan Pastoral Center that is being managed by a Salesian, Fr. Vincent, the former Provincial Economer of the Vietnam Province. They visited the Pre-Novitiate Community in the morning and the Community of Ben Cat Youth Center in the afternoon. The Provincial Community gave them a hearty lunch. Then just before the day is over, they were welcomed by the Theologate Community for a fraternal dinner together with the students of Theology with a spontaneous program during dinner.
The following day, they left the Pastoral Center right after breakfast for their flight back to Manila at 9:45am.
A super big thanks to the confreres of the Vietnam Province for the great hospitality and warm camaraderie that they have given to the FIN Rectors and to all the other participants of this formation seminar.
VIVA DON BOSCO!!!