NEW NOVICES AND BROTHERS - INDONESIA

 Admission to novitiate and First Profession.

On July 2, 2021, the Nita-Maumere community held an annual retreat. After completing of the week, the twelve postulants were accepted as novices. They received the traditional habit of the Institute as a sign of starting their novitiate.

On July 10, 2021, the twelve novices made their First Vows, with the theme “Rise and go” (Luke 17:19). Eight of the new Brothers come from Indonesia and four from Timor Leste. Unlike usual, the celebration of the vows was done this time without the presence of parents or family members, because they are still following the health protocol due to Covid-19.

 

This celebration was also to give thanks for the presence of the Institute of the Brothers of the Holy Family in Indonesia in the 10th anniversary. The eucharistic celebration was presided over by the bishop of Maumere, Mgr. Edwaldus Martinus Sedu, and also attended by several priests and sisters.

CANDIDATES FAMILY VISITS - THE PHILIPPINES

Visit to the family of the candidates is one of the important things in vocation promotion. It helps us to know the family background, the ambience of faith in family, the situation of the family and the interest of the family in supporting the vocation of the candidate. We should never forget that the family is the primary agent in producing the vocations to the Church.

In respect to the important ideas mentioned above, Bro. Bosco did the visit to some families of the candidates before and after the vocation camp. Though it has some hard roads to travel and unknown places to see, it really enriches us well to know the background of the candidate in order to form him well so he be a fruitful religious in the future.

FETE DE LA PROVINCE DE SAINTE ANNE

Le 26 juillet, la province de Sainte-Anne a célébré sa fête patronale. Comme chaque année, la fête est accompagnée de diverses célébrations relatives à la vie des Frères. A cette occasion, ont été célébrés la première profession des Frères Gaston Ouédraogo, Armel Yaméogo et Ambroise Bakuta Kawaka; la profession perpétuelle des Frères Eloi Nana, Pascal Wend-Paul Ouédraogo et Marcel Bamouni ; le jubilé d'argent des Frères Eugène Tougma, Paul Sawadoogo et Casimir Ouare et le jubilé d'or du Frère Jéròme Komi.

La cérémonie a été présidée par Mgr Justin Kientega, évêque de Ouahigouya, accompagné de Mgr Pierre Claver Malgo, (frère du Frère Athanase) et d'un autre évêque. Le Frère Julien Zoungrana, Provincial, a reçu les vœux au nom du Frère Animateur Général. Félicitations à ces Frères et à tous les Frères de la Province.

PERPETUAL VOWS OF 5 INDIAN BROTHERS

 

“We follow God’s mysterious invitations with the holy zeal of our Founder and God’s salvation”. With these words, which the Brothers chose as the motto of the celebration, on 26 June 2021, in the Formation House in Madurai (India), Brothers Anil Tigga, Ashok Kerketta, Maria Andrews, Valan Pankras Arther and Sumilan Soreng said their definitive yes to the Lord as Brothers of the Holy Family.

The ceremony was very familiar and almost “private” because of the confinement in India, and especially - strictly - in Tamil Nadu. Only a few relatives of two Brothers were able to be present; there were no guests from outside, not even religious or priests. Three Brothers from Bangalore were able to be present.

The Madurai community, along with other Brothers who were in the house, really got down to work and together we tried to solemnise the event of Perpetual Profession as much as possible, with a lot of decoration and music. The families of the Brothers, friends, relatives, Brothers’ Communities... could not be present, but we made up for it with a celebration that was recorded on Facebook (live) so that everyone could follow it at home. 

The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by the Archbishop of Madurai, Mgr. Antony Pappusamy, and concelebrated by his secretary. The Brother Delegate, who had recently returned from Spain, received the perpetual vows on behalf of the Provincial and the whole Institute. At the end of the ceremony, thanksgiving by the Brothers, messages from the Provincial and General, and the usual family photos. The event concluded with a simple family meal with a tasty “mutton biryani” (Indian paella) from Tamil Nadu and “fruit-salad” for dessert.

ASIAN CLUSTER

The Sa-Fa Vocation Team in the meeting of 27^th April 2020, planned to expand its mission and for that purpose the whole Institute was divided into three groups. Bro. Bosco was appointed as Brother responsible for coordinating the Asian countries of Philippines, India, Indonesia and Timor Leste.

The Brothers responsible of vocation promotion in these countries (Grasiano Mbaling, Julio Marshal, Paul Raj y Jhon Bosco) have had up to now 7 online meetings. Two WhatsApp groups are going on to keep regular contact with the Brothers who work in the vocational animation. There are 17 Brothers, 2 lay persons and some formees involved in vocational animation.

Quite a number of activities have been done:
- reflecting on the mission of vocation promotion,
- gathering the vocation promotion plans for each country,
- sharing the vocational activities done in each place,
- sending the news to the Sa-Fa Vocation Team,
- identifying the Brothers involved in vocational promotion,
- sending their emails to the main team coordinator,
- studying the document “Principles and Ingredients of Vocational Animation”,
- reading the letter sent by Bro. Animator General to the vocational animators of the Institute,
- discussing the idea of creating a web page or any social network as means of vocation propaganda,
- producing some videos on different vocational and formation topicss, 
- using the prayer for Sa-Fa Vocations and the Logo of the vocation team,
- collaborating in the Virtual contents group.  

This initiative of working together helped to improve the vocational reality of the Asian countries. A good fraternal, friendly and cordial atmosphere was prevailing during the various meetings. 

PROMOTION VOCATIONNELLE À MOORE - PROMOCIÓN VOCACIONAL EN MOORE - VOCATIONAL PROMOTION IN MOORE

 

Philippines: an experience that opens the doors to fraternity

 

PHILIPPINES

AN EXPERIENCE

THAT OPENS THE DOORS TO FRATERNITY

The vocation camp, an activity that brings together young people interested in knowing, discerning and being part of our Congregation, took place from 28 to 30 May 2021 in the Brothers’ community of Lasang, where Gabriel Taborin College is located. It was three days of prayer, reflection and sharing.

The intention of this group of young people was to know, understand and discover their vocation. Brother Bosco welcomed the candidates and guided them through the different activities during the three days of the vocational experience.

They were encouraged to let go of their worries and to pay attention to what God wanted to tell them through the different activities. The speakers presented different themes: vocation, discernment, the Founder, the formation plan, the importance of listening, and the value of personal prayer.

It was an opportunity for them to experience the life of a community, to clarify the doubts they had about religious life and to express the challenges they experience in the reality in which they live. It was emphasised that life is made up of the choices we make, and that we are called to share God’s goodness and love with others, especially with the poor and unfortunate in our world.

Throughout the camp the candidates shared their talents and skills by singing, dancing and playing instruments in the evenings. On the last day they were able to visit the College to familiarise themselves with the educational mission of the Brothers of the Holy Family. The vocation animator had a personal interview with each of the candidates encouraging them to grow in their vocation. Each of them took home with them the fruits of this vocational experience.