austraLasia #2290

EAO builds important focus around common theme: formation

SEOUL: 15th November 2008 -- In what looks like (at least from the outside) a punishing regime of meetings, but one which 21 participants of EAO and the Rome-based Formation Department are happy to engage in, Formation representatives in EAO and in fact formation delegates from throughout the region are about to conclude a five day meeting in Seoul on 16th November. The meeting is part of the annual schedule for the Regional Formation Commission, but this time, post-GC26 and with the Formation Councillor present, has a special purpose.
    The participants, who include two provincials (AUL and KOR) and a Provincial Delegate (PNG), converged on the Provincial House in Seoul on 11th November. They are as follows: Fr Andrew Wong EAO Regional, Frs Francis Cereda and Chrys Saldanha (RMG), Peter Rankin (AUL), Thanad Anan (THA), Danny Torres (FIN), Roneldo Vilbar (FIS), Lanfranco Fedrigotti (CIN), Ramoncito Padilla (ITM), Manuel Pinto (ITM), Tran Hung (VIE) and Jess Garcia (PNG). The two provincials are Frank Moloney (AUL) and Rafael Galve (PNG). Two additional participants are members of the EAO Regional Formation Team and are helping to animate the meeting: Francis Gustilo (FIN) and John Marsiglio (GIA).
    The task which has occupied the first days of the meeting has been to understand and look to application of the Formation Sector's plan that forms part of the overall planning of the Rector Major and his Council, and published in AGC 402. The meeting has also given attention to EAO Formation needs, guidelines for the Practical Training stage, a regulatory statute for the Regional Formation Commission (to be presented to the EAO Provincials at their Thailand meeting in February 2009), the status of the implementation of a Salesian Studies Programme during initial formation, and the selection of key themes/topics to be tackled over the coming three years.
    Each day has begun with a special lectio divina led by Frank Moloney. He used this week during the Year of St Paul to develop the theme: "Living the new creation", recalling St Paul's words: 'If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold the new has come (2 Cor 5:17). The Eucharist has been celebrated by one or other Delegate, with the Gospel proclaimed in various languages of the Region. On the first day Stephen Nam, the KOR Provincial celebrated, and welcomed participants to what he hopes is but the first of many Salesian international meetings in the extensive, new facility of the Provincial House. Already the EAO Communications Delegates are looking to a regional gathering there in March of 2009.
    The working days are long and the meeting includes a working Sunday! But the quality of sharing has been outstanding and has built on the ever-growing confidence of EAO as a region.
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Title: australasia 2290
Subject and key words: EAO General: Formation
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2290