austraLasia #3359
LAMPUNG, SUMATRA: 28 January 2013 -- Now they are back to their usual activities in their Salesian settings, but for four unforgettable days (23-26 Jan. 2014) 12 Salesian Brothers, 7 from Indonesia and five from East Timor, gathered together in the Ngison Nando (which in Javanese means 'quiet place') Retreat House in Lampung, Sumatra, for the ITM Salesian Brothers’ Encounter, which is usually held every two years.
The theme for this year followed that of the Salesian Brothers Congress in Hua-Hin, Thailand (18-23 Aug. 2013): “Reflection on the History, Pedagogy and Spirituality of the Salesian Brother in preparation for the Bicentenary of the Birth of Don Bosco.” The resource person and speaker, Bro. Raymond Callo, a staff member of the East-Asia Oceania Salesian Brothers’ Specific Formation Team in Paranaque, Philippines, and Coordinator of the EAO Formation Commission was invited to share his reflections in each session. The new Provincial Delegate for Indonesia, Fr Andre Delimarta, and Fr Ramoncito Padilla, the Head of the Delegation Commission for Formation who organised the whole affair, were also present to accompany the Brothers throughout the Encounter.
On the first day the group reflected and shared, starting with Lectio Divina in the morning, on Don Bosco’s history in relation to the identity of the Salesian Brother; on the second day, on Don Bosco’s pedagogy in relation to the Salesian Brother; and on the third and last day on Don Bosco’s spirituality and the Salesian Brother.
The liturgy contributed to the development of the theme: on the 24th of January, Feast of St. Francis de Sales, the Patron of our Congregation and model of Don Bosco’s kindness and pastoral charity, the Brothers understood in a better way what it means to be identified as a SALESIAN Brother. On the 25th of January, Feast of the Conversion of St Paul, they realized the need for continual conversion, for ongoing formation, updating and being qualified in order to be relevant in educating and evangelising young people in the present day. On the 26th of January, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Gospel about the calling of the First Disciples to be Fishers of Men (Mt. 4:12-23), made the Brothers more resolved to be like Don Bosco, the saint and contemplative in action, so as to be visible, credible and fruitful Salesian Brothers in their apostolic work of education and evangelisation.
Before the end of the Encounter, Bro. Mon also explained the revisions done in the Congregation with regards to the Formation of the Salesian Brothers and the EAO Specific Formation Program for Salesian Brothers in the Philippines.
The activities were not all intellectual and spiritual, there was also time for a cultural night, for an outing and swimming, a time to relax and enjoy each others’ company.
After the Concluding Mass on the 26th, Fr Delimarta expressed the whole Vice-Province’s deep gratitude to Bro. Mon Callo for his availability to come to Indonesia for the Brothers’ Encounter, and expressed the wish of the Brothers that this may not be the last. A short evaluation was made after the Encounter which mirrored the overall satisfaction of all who participated. After the 'despedida' (farewell) lunch, during which the Provincial Delegate also thanked the Sacred Heart Sisters running the Retreat House, the Encounter ended.
LAMPUNG, SUMATRA: 28 January 2013 -- Now they are back to their usual activities in their Salesian settings, but for four unforgettable days (23-26 Jan. 2014) 12 Salesian Brothers, 7 from Indonesia and five from East Timor, gathered together in the Ngison Nando (which in Javanese means 'quiet place') Retreat House in Lampung, Sumatra, for the ITM Salesian Brothers’ Encounter, which is usually held every two years.
The theme for this year followed that of the Salesian Brothers Congress in Hua-Hin, Thailand (18-23 Aug. 2013): “Reflection on the History, Pedagogy and Spirituality of the Salesian Brother in preparation for the Bicentenary of the Birth of Don Bosco.” The resource person and speaker, Bro. Raymond Callo, a staff member of the East-Asia Oceania Salesian Brothers’ Specific Formation Team in Paranaque, Philippines, and Coordinator of the EAO Formation Commission was invited to share his reflections in each session. The new Provincial Delegate for Indonesia, Fr Andre Delimarta, and Fr Ramoncito Padilla, the Head of the Delegation Commission for Formation who organised the whole affair, were also present to accompany the Brothers throughout the Encounter.
On the first day the group reflected and shared, starting with Lectio Divina in the morning, on Don Bosco’s history in relation to the identity of the Salesian Brother; on the second day, on Don Bosco’s pedagogy in relation to the Salesian Brother; and on the third and last day on Don Bosco’s spirituality and the Salesian Brother.
The liturgy contributed to the development of the theme: on the 24th of January, Feast of St. Francis de Sales, the Patron of our Congregation and model of Don Bosco’s kindness and pastoral charity, the Brothers understood in a better way what it means to be identified as a SALESIAN Brother. On the 25th of January, Feast of the Conversion of St Paul, they realized the need for continual conversion, for ongoing formation, updating and being qualified in order to be relevant in educating and evangelising young people in the present day. On the 26th of January, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Gospel about the calling of the First Disciples to be Fishers of Men (Mt. 4:12-23), made the Brothers more resolved to be like Don Bosco, the saint and contemplative in action, so as to be visible, credible and fruitful Salesian Brothers in their apostolic work of education and evangelisation.
Before the end of the Encounter, Bro. Mon also explained the revisions done in the Congregation with regards to the Formation of the Salesian Brothers and the EAO Specific Formation Program for Salesian Brothers in the Philippines.
The activities were not all intellectual and spiritual, there was also time for a cultural night, for an outing and swimming, a time to relax and enjoy each others’ company.
After the Concluding Mass on the 26th, Fr Delimarta expressed the whole Vice-Province’s deep gratitude to Bro. Mon Callo for his availability to come to Indonesia for the Brothers’ Encounter, and expressed the wish of the Brothers that this may not be the last. A short evaluation was made after the Encounter which mirrored the overall satisfaction of all who participated. After the 'despedida' (farewell) lunch, during which the Provincial Delegate also thanked the Sacred Heart Sisters running the Retreat House, the Encounter ended.
