3811_VDB and CDB Assistants historical meeting in EAO

ceteratolle

Views 4297 Comment 8

By Bro. Jomar Castillo, SDB

Tagaytay, Philippines, November 21 - For the first time in almost 100 years history of the VDB Secular Institute almost all of the SDB Ecclesiastical Assistants (=EA) of Asia and 7 VDB senior members gather for 3 days (Nov 19-21) formation session.

The newly appointed VDB Central Ecclesiastical Assistant (EA) Fr. Joan Lluis Playa (Spain, Barcelona) is undergoing his first Asian trip baptism. Two more VDB Central Councilors and other 4 EAO senior VDB members are present as resource person. More than 25 Ecclesiastical assistants from the Philippines (5, FIN and FIS), Hong Kong, Macau (3), Japan (1), Korea (3), Vietnam (1), Thailand (1), India (2, INM and INK), Cambodia (1), Indonesia (1) and Timor Leste (1) attended the formation. The local organizing team under the guidance of FILA (Philippines) Regional VDB EA Fr. Charles Manlangit (FIN) includes also the first CDB Aspirants from the Manila group (EA Fr. Eli Cruz, FIN).

The main purpose of the seminar was to help the Ecclesiastical Assistants deepen their knowledge and love to the special Salesian vocation so that they may be able to help the VDB to grow in their vocation. Moreover, various VDB documents from surveys and articles were presented, reflected upon and shared with each other that allowed a much deeper appreciation of the vocation. Vocation promotion was presented as a challenging aspect of the VDB vocation due to the secular and “reserved” nature. The VDB and CDB secularity and “reserve” were one of the most powerful gifts that the Lord has given the secular Salesians. Thought the goodnights, the VDBs were able to share their vocation stories that helped the participants in their reflection. Enriching multi-cultural sharing of insights contributed to the richness of the reflections. Materials from the Salesian world and results of the proceedings were gathered to help in the formation ministry of the Assistant were distributed.

Formation session was designed by Olga Krizova, the President of the Don Bosco Volunteer Secular Institute and prepared by en extensive survey to all 22 provinces of South Asia and EAO region - 22 SDB provincials, 24 VDB Assistants and 145 VDB members.

Fr. Eligio Cruz, SDB, former FIN Provincial, CDB Ecclesiastical Assistant in the Philippines, shared with Fr. Playa and other participants on the sideline talk the CDB vocation work in the FIN. Materials were shared in order to start to promote and form from other EAO and South Asia regions the men counterpart.

Let us continue to pray for more VDB and CDB vocations in order to bring the Gospel through the Salesian Consecrated Secular Vocation living like salt and yeast in the Lord’s vineyard.

All related materials in English (VDB basic documents; formation magazine 'Crescere' and survey & talks shared during this meeting are available on the BOSCOLINK

Atachment
Attachment '1'	20151122_EAO.jpg,

List

Facebook Twitter Google Pinterest

Up Down Go comment Print Attachment

✔Write a comment

Write a comment

Write with WYSIWYG Close

Comments '8'

vaclav 2015.11.25 08:27

We are one to thank most sincerely for taking forward the suggestion that came up at Thailand Retreat 2014. It was a great effort and great commitment. It was a lovely experience and very enriching. I had a save and comfortable journey back. My sincere gratitude to you and all the VDB who were also so generous in caring for us. Thanks too to the Province of the Philippines for organizing this project in such an efficient and committed manner. Love to all and God Bless.Fr. John - Kolkatta

Comment
vaclav 2015.11.25 08:29

Grazie mille per tutto che avete fatto per noi durante questi ultimi giorni nelle Filippine.
Grazie a te tutto era ben prepparato e anche sequito.Speriamo che arrivano anche i frutti vitali...
Anche incontro con le sorelle a Manila e andato bene.
Abbiamo salutato ispetore e anche un fratello malato che erail nostro primo assistente a Fila. Molto inportante visita era anche nella Casa dei ragzzzi della strada Tuloy DB dove abbiamo salutato diretore e i ragazzi...
Siamo arrivate alcune ore di fa a Bratislava piene di speranza e gratitudine.
Dio ti benedica e ricompensa tutto. Con stima e preghiera, Olga K.

Comment
vaclav 2015.11.25 08:31

Shalom!

Thank you for your mail of thanks and materails.

Thank you for the initiative and organizing the meeting. For me it was a great opportunity to begin my life as Ecclesiastical Assistant and to find such an enthusiastic and committed team of people in the Lord's ministry. Great!

A personal note of thanks to you for your active,
sacrificing and lively presence and assistance in everything
that we did together. A great example for me too.

May God bless you abundanlty.
with best wishes and prayers,
fr.Jeyaraj - chennai

Comment
vaclav 2015.11.26 14:07

Greetings of Peace!

Thanks a lot for sharing the inputs you had during the meeting of all Ecclesiastical Assistants last November 19-22.We are very happy and greatly blessed by God for the activity you organized.Thank you for your significant presence, and all EA's in the just concluded historic Formation Conference in our East Asia Oceana Region.Historic because it was the first time that all Ecclesiastical Assistants from Asia were gathered in a conference. This is indeed a grace from God because surely the formative benefit of this is beneficial for all of us in the Institute. To all of you- SDB's, our warm and heartfelt gratitude.

Gratefully yours,Gloria FILA- Region

Comment
vaclav 2015.11.26 14:10

Grazie mille per tutto che tu avete fatto per noi durante questi ultimi giorni nelle Filippine.
Grazie perche era ben prepparato e anche sequito.
Speriamo che arrivano anche i frutti vitali...
Anche incontro con le sorelle a Manila e andato bene.
Abbiamo salutato ispetore e anche un fratello malato che erail nostro primo assistente a FILA.

Molto inportante visita era anche nella Casa dei ragzzzi della strada (Tuloy Don Bosco)

dove abbiamo salutato diretore e i ragazzi...
Siamo arrivate alcune ore di fa a Bratislava-Slovakia piene di speranza e gratitudine.
Dio ti benedica e ricompensa tutto.
Con stima e preghiera
Olga K.

Comment
vaclav 2015.11.26 14:13

Už zo Slovenska, z práce.

Veľká vďaka za myšlienku, realizáciu, a všetku námahu s tým spojenú. Verím ,že Boh si poslúži týmto dielom, bolo to naozaj v rodinnej pohode a veľmi by som si želala, keby sme takúto atmosféru pokoja, pracovitosti a radostného zdieľania boli schopní zažívať v každom kúte sveta pri našich stretnutiach, alebo všade tam, kde nás Pán posiela. My sme s Oľgou prišli šťastne a veľmi vďačné Pánovi, Tebe, všetkým zúčastneným a tým mnohým, ktorí sa modlili.

Ja som bola mimoriadne "dotknutá" aj návštevou sirotinca pod vedením SDB v Manile, kde po stretnutí s don Rocky Evangelista (Tuloy sa Don Bosco) , ktorý bol jeden zo zakladateľov ma nesmierne potešilo, že sa spoliehajú iba na Božiu Prozreteľnosť a tak sú slobodní robiť dobre 1200 deťom. Tiež ma potešila hlboká viera don Denisa z provinciálneho domu, ekonóm domu / nie provincie/, ktorý sa s nami podelil o svoju lásku k Matke Božej.

Prajem veľa síl a vernosť až do smrti Tomu,

pre ktorého tak účinne pracuješ.

S láskou i úctou

Dagmar

Comment
vaclav 2015.11.27 08:09 FilesAttachment (1)
- • EAO EA Formation Report.docx
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

Comment
vaclav 2015.11.27 13:08

Greetings from the Philippines!

Thank you for the encouraging words!

Yes, it was the first assembly we all attempted with you as convenor. And we are happy and honored to hold it here in the Philippines. And from the feedbacks we got, the event was successful and fruitful for many of us.
I, personally, am happy for the wonderful experience with confreres from Asia and the guests members from the Center.

The APEC meeting gave us so many problems in our planned schedule. But we (especially Bro Jomar) were able to manage the changes peacefully and calmly.There were surely very important things that needed much attention, like the internet service. For this, we are really sorry. This is a big lesson learned in view of the coming visit of the Rector Major in March.

Father, thank you for the precious time you have spent with confreres of EAO and South Asia.

I am more encouraged to continue my ministry and service to the Congregation and the Institute of the VDB.

..........

Viva Don Bosco!

Fr Charles

Comment

5304(I)_After 10 years the Korean novitiate is moving back to Daejon

ALA_5304 4 new novices By Fr. Felix Wee Novice master Daejon, Korea, 28 January 2020 -- After the Lunar New Year that fell on 25 January this year, the Korean Novitiate is moving from Naeri (quiet seashore location) back to Daejon (a city o...

Date2020.01.28 CategoryKOR Reply0 Views569

Read More
5303(II)_Don Bosco month in Darkhan, Mongolia

ALA_5303 Accompanying the young with formation By Fr. Andrew Tin, SDB Darkhan, Mongolia, 22 January 2020 -- Since the beginning of the Advent season 2019 a new youth group has come into existence in Darkhan Community. They can be called the...

Date2020.01.27 CategoryMong. Reply0 Views964

Read More
5303(I)_Many boys and a dream in Nazareth House, Anisakan

ALA_5303 166 years ago in Valdocco - today in Anisakan Nazareth Aspirantate, Anisakan, Myanmar, 26 January 2020 -- On the evening of 26 January 1854, Don Bosco called four promising boys to his room and suggested them to put in practice the...

Date2020.01.27 CategoryMYM Reply0 Views666

Read More
5302(II)_The Politics of the Our Father in Salesian Terms

ALA_5302 The Salesian Family prays the Our Father along with Strenna 2020 By our own correspondent EAO, 24 January 2020 --Happy New Lunar Year! One of the gifts to the whole Salesian Family might be the 'Salesian Version of the Our Father' ...

Date2020.01.26 CategoryEAO Reply1 Views836

Read More
5302(I)_Mongolia Delegation - First recollection in 2020

ALA_5302 To become the Salesian Family members our youth dream of By Fr. Andrew Tin, SDB Darkhan, Mongolia, 25 January 2020 -- It is a special event for all the Salesians of the Mongolia Delegation to come together for the quarterly recolle...

Date2020.01.26 CategoryMong. Reply0 Views1275

Read More
5301(III)_Happy New Lunar Year 2020!

Best wishes from Pope Francis for the New Lunar Year 2020 By our own correspondent EAO 25 January 2020 -- In most of the East Asian countries, the Lunar New Year celebrations are of utmost importance, being celebrated as the Spring Festival...

Date2020.01.25 CategoryEAO Reply0 Views980

Read More
5301(II)_Caritas Sisters of Jesus at Valdocco 2020

ALA_5301 By our own correspondent Valdocco, Turin, Italy, 22 January 2020 -- The already traditional large group participation (380 SF members), grew beyond the ordinary 'quota' for each of the 32 SF groups with 14 Caritas Sisters of Jesus ...

Date2020.01.25 CategoryWorld Reply1 Views647

Read More
5301(I)_Death of Fr. Francesco Maraccani

ALA_5301 24 January 2020 Dear EAO region friends, Today in the evening our beloved Fr. Francesco Maraccani passed in a silent mood to the house of the Father. Simple sketch of a great Salesian Fr. Francesco Maraccani (1936-2020) a great Sal...

Date2020.01.25 CategoryEAO Reply0 Views672

Read More
5300(III)_Behind Faith Stories and Struggles

ALA_5300 An interview with Fr Randy Figuracion, SDB By Ms. Jennifer Cordova Editor’s Note: Ms. Jennifer Cordova, our Social Communications correspondent interviews Fr. Randy on his new book. Cebu, FIS Province, The Philippines, 24 January 2...

Date2020.01.24 CategoryFIS Reply0 Views812

Read More
5300(II)_Towards the 400th Anniversary of Saint Francis de Sales

ALA_5300 The Salesian Family of Don Bosco celebrates - January 24th By our own correspondent RMG, Rome, Italy, 24 January 2020 -- With the fast-coming 400th anniversary of Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622) in two years time, 2022, we may s...

Date2020.01.24 CategoryRMG Reply1 Views624

Read More