By Fr. Randy Figuracion, SDB

Lawaan, Philippines, February 19, 2016 - After four days of intensive reflection and discussion, the 8th Provincial Chapter of the Philippine South Province (FIS) successfully came to an end. It had twenty-eight participants including four lay observers. It was able to accomplish the two projected outputs namely, the FIS Implementation of the GC 27 and the updated Provincial Directives 2016. Moreover, it allowed a vibrant exchange of ideas, interventions and responses on the concerns presented for a closer collaboration and impact in the life and ministry of the Province.

Each day began with the Morning Prayer and Eucharistic Celebration animated by the novices. Work began by phases through group discussions and plenary sessions moving towards the final approval by consensus of the Final Document. It was a wonderful experience of teamwork and brotherhood that expressed the confreres’ love for St. John Bosco’s ministry among the youth in this part of the world.

Like all the Salesians all over the world, the confreres in the FIS are challenged to live a more radical approach to Gospel witnessing by becoming mystics of the spirit, prophets of fraternity and servants of the young. This task is really a tall order to accomplish. Hence this gathering aims at reviewing the coherence of life and implementation of concrete directives towards a more doable plan of action.

Fr. Godofredo Atienza, FIS Provincial Superior, thanked all the delegates, the invited observers and the secretariat gathered in Don Bosco Retreat House, Lawaan, Talisay City – Cebu for their active participation which resulted in the meaningful outcome of the Chapter. Though this triennial exercise meant hardwork and fatigue for the participants, yet it always redounds to the greater good in the owning and continual reshaping of the Province. The more challenging aim is to make a more significant influence among the youth in Philippine society through its post-chapter implementation.

---

---