Samphran (Thailand). From 9 to 13 August 2024, the Provincials and Provincial Councilors of the Inter-Provincial Conference of East Asia (CIAO) and the South Pacific Region (SPR) gathered at the Ban Than Phraphorn Gathering Center in Samphran, St. Mary Mazzarello Province (THA) to participate in the Seminar “For Generative Animation”.
Present from Rome to animate the meeting were the Mother General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sister Chiara Cazzuola; the Vicar, Sister María del Rosario García Ribas; the General Councilors of the various Sectors: Sister Nilza Fatíma de Moraes (Formation), Sister Runita Borja (Youth Ministry), Sister Leslie Sándigo (Salesian Family), Sister Ruth del Pilar Mora (Missions), Sister Maria Ausilia De Siena (Social Communication), Sister Ena Veralís Bolaños (Administration), and the Visiting Councilors, Sister Maria Assunta Inoue and Sister Lidia Strzelczyk.
The Seminar officially opened with a welcome message from the CIAO President, Sister Gertrudes Ditching, Provincial of Mary Our Help Province (CMY), followed by some words of gratitude from the Vicar General.
After the invocation to the Holy Spirit, Mother Chiara gave an overview of the five days of the Seminar. Each session began with a lectio divina and a reflection on the Word of God taken from the Acts of the Apostles, by Sister Maria Ko, a biblical scholar.
In reference to the theme of the first day, namely “Authority”, Mother and Fr. Pascual Chavez, Rector Major Emeritus of the Salesians of Don Bosco – through a video intervention – spoke about the service of authority today: opportunities and challenges for Consecrated Life.
The second day was dedicated to Synodality, with Mother’s intervention on the art of walking together, which can sometimes be challenging. She recalled that this should be the experience of the Provincial Council itself, which animates the Province for the good of the Sisters and the mission. Father Miguel Garaizabal, Regional Superior of the Jesuits in Thailand, spoke about what emerged during the Synod on Synodality and how the Church’s understanding of this theme has evolved.
The theme of Generativity was discussed in depth by Mother Chiara on the third day. She spoke about the culture of care and the call to motherhood. Professor Bernardo Toro also significantly presented care as the new ethical paradigm of civilization through a video.
These three days included moments of personal reflection, group work, and workshops led by the General Councilors, which consolidated the in-depth analysis of the topics.
“In the service of a generative mission” is the theme of the fourth day. Mother elaborated on it by saying that coordination is a way of discerning and working that tends to involve people according to a circular style. On this day, the meetings by Sector were held, animated by the General Councilors, to share the joys and challenges faced in their respective Sectors. It was a very enriching exchange of experiences, taking into account the different backgrounds of the participants.
“Towards a more generative and synodal service of animation and government of the Institute” is the topic discussed on the last day, dedicated to meetings as Provinces to discuss the processes of change and conversion that the participants perceive and how to start them in the Province, for a better and more generative animation and government. They then reflected on the conditions necessary to achieve this change. Finally, each Province was asked to propose concrete actions to ensure animation according to the service, spirit, and style learned during the Seminar.
The daily meetings concluded with well-animated Eucharistic Celebrations, engaging and stimulating Goodnights, and evening prayers of synthesis, which linked and concluded the days in a fruitful and meaningful way. In addition, recreations and cultural presentations strengthened the communion among the participants.
The Seminar, fruitful and rich in graces, increased the determination of the participants to serve their respective Provinces as a mother who truly generates life, walking with everyone in a spirit of synodality.
Photos: Flickr FMA
