3755_Growing with the heart of a Good Shepherd

Parañaque Formation communities Curatorium 2015

By Our Own Correspondent

Manila, Philippines, October 1, 2015 - Not less than twelve Superiors of the EAO provinces and delegations took part in the 2015 annual Curatorium in Parañaque. One full day event was attended by the Provincials of CIN, FIN,FIS, GIA, KOR, MYM, THA and VIE together with the Superior-Delegates of Cambodia (THA), Mongolia (VIE) and Papua New Guinea – Solomon Islands (FIN). The whole day was started with the morning Eucharistic celebration on the memorial day of St. Therese of Lisieux, Patroness of the Missions. It was probably the best attended Curatorium since the foundation of Parañaque Don Bosco formation institution in 1983.

There were three main sessions of the Curatorium, in the Benedict XVI Library of the Don Bosco Center of Studies (DBCS), presided by the EAO regional councilor and moderated by Fr. Paul Bicomong (FIN provincial) and with the generous and exact service of Fr. Gerry Martin (FIN) as the Secretary to the meeting. Apart of the Superiors were present the superiors and formators of the Seminaryo ng Don Bosco community (specific formation for Salesian priests) and of the Blessed Steven Sandor community (specific formation for Salesian Brothers) and the President of the DBCS Fr. Rafael Dela Cruz, Provincial Economer FIN and local Economers of the Parañaque formation communities and DBSC.

The Curatorium was an opportunity of thanksgiving to the formators and professors for their commitment to the formation of young Salesian generations as well the annual evaluation of formation process. All Superiors first meet their students for a group and personal talk, clarify necessary issues with their formators or teachers.

During the first session Fr. Henry Bonetti, Rector of the Seminaryo ng Don Bosco (SnDB) briefed about the situation, improvements and vision for the future. There are 42 SDB (+3 non SDB) students of theology and 11 English course students, a total of 56 scholastics in formation accompanied by 8 formators. Average age of this community is 32 years, there are also 12 diocesan seminarians living together in harmony with the Salesians.

Second session was dedicated the report of Fr. Arnold Sanico, rector of the Blessed Sandor community (specific formation of Salesian Brothers). Twelve Brothers are accompanied by 4 formators. From this school year the community welcome also South Asia (India) Brothers, first two of them from Chennai province. Main proposal was about the biennial intake for this course every second year, starting from June 2016.

Third final session participated only the Provincials and Delegates was a time of drawing some concrete decisions or orientations for the formation houses. Provincial Superiors appreciated very well prepared documentation on the personal level (scrutiny and progress) as well on the institutions level (formation handbook, detailed formation and financial reports). Among the emerging issues was discussed a solid preparation of the young Salesians before arrival to Manila (human maturity, cultural preparation and language) and during first months in Manila (6 – 12 months of English course), cultural adaptation, learning the dynamics of large intercultural community composed of 12 different nationalities. Another highlight was on spiritual guidance, accreditation of MA degree, presence of many missionary ad gentes among the students.

All Superiors appreciated a wonderful visible ongoing improvement in the maintenance and new facilities at DBSC grounds, swimming pool, uplifting of the whole environment in the SnDB chapel, floor, and painting of the whole building. The formation programs and modules are well prepared and might be useful for other smaller EAO formation houses (available on the Boscolink).

Next Curatorium meeting in Parañaque is scheduled for August 25, 2016.