Step ahead - Missionary animation plan integrated in the Provincial EPP

By Fr. Ding Cortez, SDB

Makati City, the Philippines -- Last July 10 gathered the 6 members of the FIN missionary animation team (Delegate Fr. Ding Cortez) with the Youth Ministry Delegate in order to formulate the missionary animation plan. The whole process was animated by Bishop Peter Baquero, Filipino Salesian missionary in PNG.

"Yes, we did it yesterday and Fr. Ding asked me for help to assist the province Missionary group in coming up with their own SEPP. I am also very happy that gradually our Province SEPP is being completed. Thanks for the encouragement!" - comment of the Provincial YM Delegate Fr. Jobeth Vivo.

And also Fr. Fabio Attard, the General Councilor for the YM does appreciate this SEPP: "It's a proposal that follows very well the model of planning that we encourage all provinces to follow. Well done! Congratulations!"

Here is the Plan in nutshell:

Main goal of the Missionary Animation of FIN province: Animate Salesian communities, youth groups and parish groups in the province in promoting missionary spirit

There are five main lines of action or processes:

1. Form Missionary volunteers (Lay and Religious)
2. Promote missionary spirit and awareness especially in the cyberspace
3. Foster awareness to missionary vocation (lay and religious)
4. Revive local missionary volunteer program
5. Organize groups who promote and support foreign missions

Philippines are blessed with 36 Salesian missionaries ad gentes working in 13 different countries of Europe, America, Africa and Asia. In this way the Filipino provinces have a huge opportunities for the missionary animation at home.

Among the concrete projects - activities how to promote the missionary spirit:

• Cagliero 11 and the monthly prayer for the missions
• Missionary Months at the local and provincial level
• Salesian Mission Facebook page launched on Oct 11, 2017
• Preparation to celebrate the 40th anniversary of first Filipino missionary expedition to PNG (2020)

Resources:

FIN - SEPP under construction, including the Missionary Animation for download

---

---