austraLasia 1525
New EAO Study Centre for Brothers approved
ROME: 12th April 2006 -- Already in the English-speaking Salesian world, there are two approved Centres for Brother formation, one in Shillong, India (2004), and one in Nairobi, Kenya (2005). Now there is a third, Manila - Paranaque City, Philippines. The Rector Major with his Council indicated their approval of this project yesterday.
The Shillong Centre had always been a theoretical possibility for Brothers from EAO but the reality is that visas are almost impossible to get. So investigations were mounted by the Formation Department in Rome, with the help of Fr Klement, with a view to establishing a centre for our own Region. The investigation revealed that of several possibilities, Seminaryo ng Don Bosco at Paranaque offered the best option. The aim is to begin in June of this year, and two key formation guides have already been nominated, one from Vietnam, and one from Korea.
At the moment there will not be a community separate from the Seminaryo community. The Rector will be the same for both the clerics and the Brothers, but while the Brothers will take their meals and play sport with the others, there will be a different formation programme with distinct features other than studies - Good Nights, Eucharist, conferences will be apart. The Brothers will frequent a two-year course at the Don Bosco Centre for Studies which is only a stone's throw from the Seminaryo. This course will be specifically designed for them, following a curriculum set out by the Formation Department. The course will also be open to others, lay men and women, Religious and on completion, candidates will receive a Diploma of Theology from the Salesian University in Rome.
This is a Regional venture, located in the Philippines; in other words it will receive the support of provinces in the region in as many ways as are possible for them - providing candidates, staff, finance. Provincials have already indicated that they will send their Brothers to Paranaque once the Practical Training period is concluded. This phase of specific formation is the responsibility of the Provinces of East Asia-Oceania.
The kind of curriculum involved can be worked out by looking at the Ratio - it includes Scripture, various aspects of theology (systematic, pastoral, moral), spirituality, Salesianity, and human sciences. This latter group includes communications, psychology, sociology. In each case, the new Centre and its staff must confront the particular needs of Brothers as represented by our Region and also the wider scene. It is a brave new step and one not just accomplished by a few signatures of approval. austraLasia looks forward to reporting on further concrete steps in making this a vibrant reality for the growth of the Brother in the Region and the Congregation.
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AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/RSS/rssala.xml
New EAO Study Centre for Brothers approved
ROME: 12th April 2006 -- Already in the English-speaking Salesian world, there are two approved Centres for Brother formation, one in Shillong, India (2004), and one in Nairobi, Kenya (2005). Now there is a third, Manila - Paranaque City, Philippines. The Rector Major with his Council indicated their approval of this project yesterday.
The Shillong Centre had always been a theoretical possibility for Brothers from EAO but the reality is that visas are almost impossible to get. So investigations were mounted by the Formation Department in Rome, with the help of Fr Klement, with a view to establishing a centre for our own Region. The investigation revealed that of several possibilities, Seminaryo ng Don Bosco at Paranaque offered the best option. The aim is to begin in June of this year, and two key formation guides have already been nominated, one from Vietnam, and one from Korea.
At the moment there will not be a community separate from the Seminaryo community. The Rector will be the same for both the clerics and the Brothers, but while the Brothers will take their meals and play sport with the others, there will be a different formation programme with distinct features other than studies - Good Nights, Eucharist, conferences will be apart. The Brothers will frequent a two-year course at the Don Bosco Centre for Studies which is only a stone's throw from the Seminaryo. This course will be specifically designed for them, following a curriculum set out by the Formation Department. The course will also be open to others, lay men and women, Religious and on completion, candidates will receive a Diploma of Theology from the Salesian University in Rome.
This is a Regional venture, located in the Philippines; in other words it will receive the support of provinces in the region in as many ways as are possible for them - providing candidates, staff, finance. Provincials have already indicated that they will send their Brothers to Paranaque once the Practical Training period is concluded. This phase of specific formation is the responsibility of the Provinces of East Asia-Oceania.
The kind of curriculum involved can be worked out by looking at the Ratio - it includes Scripture, various aspects of theology (systematic, pastoral, moral), spirituality, Salesianity, and human sciences. This latter group includes communications, psychology, sociology. In each case, the new Centre and its staff must confront the particular needs of Brothers as represented by our Region and also the wider scene. It is a brave new step and one not just accomplished by a few signatures of approval. austraLasia looks forward to reporting on further concrete steps in making this a vibrant reality for the growth of the Brother in the Region and the Congregation.
_____________________
AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome. For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com For RSS feeds, subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/RSS/rssala.xml
