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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