1606 PNG Call to fidelity
austraLasia 1606

A call to greater fidelity - Discussion days in PNG
- Fr. Ambrose Pereira sdb

PORT MORESBY: 8th July 2006 -- At a reflective and simple prayer service every Salesian received the copy of the Constitutions and Regulations from the hands of Fr. Andrew Wong, Provincial, on 7th July, 2006.  “Accept our Constitutions and Regulations with joy and love. They are a radical way for us to live out the 10 commandments”, he told the confreres.  “We pray that each of us lives out the challenge of fidelity we have accepted since our firstst profession”, he continued.
    A relaxed, serene and joyful atmosphere was evident at the Emmaus House and Delegation Centre as 35 Salesians from the different houses and settings gathered to celebrate the 6th and 7th as Delegation Days.  Moments of prayer, reflection, discussion, fraternal sharing and relaxation have brought the confreres closer to each other in their missionary work and evangelisation.
    The Eucharist on the first morning was presided over by Fr. Provincial at which he stressed forgiveness to fulfilling our mission.  The next morning, Fr. Carlo Molina, newest priest of the delegation celebrated the thanksgiving Eucharist.
    Dressed in their blue t-shirts with the neatly embroidered ECA logo, gift of the Salesian community, St. John Bosco Parish, Makati, the Salesians were indeed a very impressive sight.  Led by the local Salesians the confreres expressed their openness to the spirit in song and dance.
    ‘Who moved my cheese?’ set the tone for open, frank and honest interactions.  The ensuing discussions sought new and ways of responding to the situations in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.  In five groups, the Salesians spent laborious hours in discussion, clarification and sharing.  The Integrated Delegation Plan, the Delegation Salesian Educative Pastoral Plan, The Delegation Directory and the Delegation Formation Directory were discussed in the different groups.  Then followed two intensive sessions of group presentation at which there were clarifications, interventions and consultative voting on the changes made by the different groups.  This will now form the basis of the mini-chapter to follow almost immediately.
    Fr. Alfred Maravilla, moderated the discussions.  Fr. Carlo Molina and Bro Angel Sanchez, secretaries for the Assembly tabulated the different suggestions including the many changes suggested.  “Confreres have felt part of the process, as everyone has been involved.  It is well worth the price”, said Fr. Alfred Maravilla, moderator of the Mini-chapter as the days of discussion concluded.
    “I am amazed by the quality of work put in by the confreres.  We have been enriched by the sharing, the ideals and the commitment of the confreres as we went through the process”, stated Fr. Angelo Fazzini.  Similar sentiments were also expressed by other confreres. Games were an important time for relaxation and sharing as young and old played together in a spirit of healthy competition, striving to score that goal or shoot that basket.
    “I have been impressed by the seriousness of the discussions that express each one's sense of belonging.  It is nice to see Salesians of all ages engaged in harmonous discussion in a very friendly atmosphere.  This process will definitely enlighten the members of the Mini Chapter,” concluded Fr. Luciano Odorico, Delegate of the PNG-SI delegation.

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