EAO Provincials meeting 2018 - Day 2
Dili, Timor Leste, 7 March 2018 -- At the start of the day the EAO regional councilor introduced the method of the 2018 EAO meeting that focus on accompaniment of different processes of animation and government at province level. During the 4 sessions all participants shared many times in smaller groups, in order to exchange their experience and deepen their insights.
Each Provincial or Delegate is invited to reflect and discern how to accompany processes of charismatic growth in each sector: “What does matter is the direction and not the speed! We are moving with the wisdom of the Church, the Evangelii Gaudium is a strong invitation for the new missionary culture transformation in the Church and ongoing discernment to foster this missionary conversion of the Church (EG 30-33) and always keep in mind the four principles suggested by Pope Francis: Time is greater than space (EG 222-225), Unity prevails over conflict (EG 226-230), Realities are more important than ideas (EG 231-233) and The whole is greater than the part (EG 234-237).”
As immediate feedback the Provincials underlined the importance of province level evaluation and ownership of all processes by the provincial community.
The whole morning was dedicated to the preparation of the EAO Salesian Brother Congress 2018 ‘And you all are Brothers’, next August 9-12 in Vietnam. After a brief introduction by the facilitator Br. Raymond Callo were exchanged the expectation and preparation process before the Congress. They pointed to the new paradigm to speak about one Salesian vocation in two forms – Brother Salesian and Priest Salesian, to the encouragement of Brother vocation, to more consistent formation for the 58 Salesian Brothers in initial formation with a special role of Bl. Sandor community in the Philippines (FIN). Each province has one coordinating Brother and large number of participants are expected.
During the day were also held two Curatorium meetings – before lunch about the Clifton Hill community (Melbourne, AUL) and before Vespers another encounter for starting next August two Curatorium of Canlubang prenovitiate and postnovitiate (FIN) and of Lawaan prenovitiate and novitiate (FIS).
Two afternoon sessions were dedicated to the Youth Ministry (animated by Fr. Paul Bicomong) and to the Social Communication sector (animated by Fr. William Matthews). A large diversity of processes and obstacles on the way in each provinces were exchanged in lively sharing in small groups and in the Assembly. Emerging points: need to form new generations of translators in many provinces and invest in formation of Salesians in the fields of Youth Ministry and Social Communications (strong suggestion for a regular summer course in Paranaque). Thanks to the EAO coordinator for SMV (Salesian Missionary Volunteers) Ms. Laureen (AUL) the provincial also shared their needs and pledged to foster more synergy in this important emerging area of Youth Ministry.
Praying together with the postnovices, sharing the Good Night talks and Homilies with them, ongoing talks at the table and free time helps to build many bridges amongst our provinces. Tired but happy, the participants expect an outing around Dili on the next day afternoon to get more in touch with the history and culture of Timor Leste.
