LAMPUNG, SUMATRA: 28 January
2013
--Now
they
are back to their usual activities in their Salesian settings,
but
for four unforgettable days (23-26 Jan. 2014) 12
Salesian Brothers, 7
from Indonesia and five from East Timor, gathered together in
the
Ngison Nando (which in Javanese means 'quiet place') Retreat
House in
Lampung, Sumatra, for the ITM Salesian Brothers’ Encounter,
which is
usually held every two years.
The theme for this year followed that of the Salesian Brothers
Congress
in Hua-Hin, Thailand (18-23 Aug. 2013): “Reflection on the
History,
Pedagogy and Spirituality of the Salesian Brother in
preparation for
the Bicentenary of the Birth of Don Bosco.” The resource
person and
speaker, Bro. Raymond Callo, a staff member of the East-Asia
Oceania
Salesian Brothers’ Specific Formation Team in Paranaque,
Philippines,
and Coordinator of the EAO Formation Commission was invited to
share
his reflections in each session. The new Provincial Delegate
for
Indonesia, Fr Andre Delimarta, and Fr Ramoncito Padilla, the
Head of
the Delegation Commission for Formation who organised the
whole affair,
were also present to accompany the Brothers throughout the
Encounter.
On the first day the group reflected and shared, starting with
Lectio
Divina in the morning, on Don Bosco’s history in relation to
the
identity of the Salesian Brother; on the second day, on Don
Bosco’s
pedagogy in relation to the Salesian Brother; and on the third
and last
day on Don Bosco’s spirituality and the Salesian Brother.
The liturgy contributed to the development of the theme: on
the 24th of
January, Feast of St. Francis de Sales, the Patron of
our Congregation
and model of Don Bosco’s kindness and pastoral charity, the
Brothers
understood in a better way what it means to be identified as a
SALESIAN
Brother. On the 25th of January, Feast of the Conversion of St
Paul,
they realized the need for continual conversion, for ongoing
formation,
updating and being qualified in order to be relevant in
educating and
evangelising young people in the present day. On the 26th of
January,
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Gospel about the calling of
the
First Disciples to be Fishers of Men (Mt. 4:12-23), made the
Brothers
more resolved to be like Don Bosco, the saint and
contemplative in
action, so as to be visible, credible and fruitful Salesian
Brothers in
their apostolic work of education and evangelisation.
Before the end of the Encounter, Bro. Mon also explained the
revisions
done in the Congregation with regards to the Formation of the
Salesian
Brothers and the EAO Specific Formation Program for
Salesian Brothers
in the Philippines.
The activities were not all intellectual and spiritual, there
was also
time for a cultural night, for an outing and swimming, a time
to relax
and enjoy each others’ company.
After the Concluding Mass on the 26th, Fr Delimarta expressed
the whole
Vice-Province’s deep gratitude to Bro. Mon Callo for his
availability
to come to Indonesia for the Brothers’ Encounter, and
expressed the
wish of the Brothers that this may not be the last. A short
evaluation
was made after the Encounter which mirrored the overall
satisfaction of
all who participated. After the 'despedida' (farewell) lunch,
during
which the Provincial Delegate also thanked the Sacred Heart
Sisters
running the Retreat House, the Encounter ended.
