acta ordinis fratrumminorum - OFM

AD CHRONICAM ORDINIS 285meeting. The objectives of this meeting areto encourage dialogue, fraternal communion,and collaboration. He then invited the participantsto share openly and clearly about theirreal lives, challenges and difficulties. He madeit clear that we are here to listen, discuss, andencourage each other in order to strengthenthe positive aspects and work together to overcomethe negative aspects in our lives.After this, the facilitator presented theschedule of the day. The participants then introducedthemselves and spent the remaining15 minutes sharing with one another.Bro. Baltazar Obico presented his report aspresident of the East Asia Conference (EAC).He stated the accomplishments of the conferenceconcerning the capitular mandates andcollaboration among entities. He shared aboutthe importance of dialogue and collaborationin the Asian context of massive poverty andplurality of cultures and religions. He alsotouched on the need to raise missionary awarenessamong the formandi.The session resumed at 10:45 AM. Bro.Paul Smith made a presentation about SouthAsia, Australia, and Oceania Conference(SAAOC). He mentioned some challenges beingfaced by the Conference. These challengesinclude the fact that the conference is composedof developed and developing countries,cultural and socio-political differences amongthe member entities, and the distance and costof air travel for meetings. The SAAOC contextis multi-national, multi-cultural, and multifaith.Other challenges are that the laborers arefew and Friars are multi-tasking; the need tomaintain energy and focus on what is important;the call to remain close to the poor; theproblem of financial viability; the restrictionsplace on the Friars in Islamic countries; theimportance of providing proper communitylife, that is, having at least three Friars in eachcommunity; providing relevant and good formationprograms; and the issue professionalmisconduct and sexual abuse.The two reports were followed by open dialogueand discussion.Afternoon sessionThe afternoon session started at 2:30 PMwith the Minister General giving a talk. Hefirst thanked the participants for the rich dialogueon the situation of the EAC and SAAOC.He discussed three fundamental points: First,the need to revitalize our life and mission. Inconnection with this, Bro. Jose Rodriguez Carballomentioned the three basic pillars of consecratedlife: spirituality, fraternity/minority,and evangelizing mission. He then discussedthe capitular mandates for the two conferences.These include the need to strengthen ourFranciscan identity, the need for a moratorium,formation issues, issues on economic transparency,economic matters, and collaboration.The participants divided into five groupsand discussed three questions formulated bythe Minister General. These are: (1) Indicatethree major challenges of your conference andthe means to respond to these challenges: (2)How can you improve your collaboration inthese three levels: Among the Entities of thesame Conference; among the entities of thetwo Conferences and; between the Conferencesand the Order: (3) How can you promoteVocation and Perseverance in the Order?The participants divided into five groupsand discussed the questions during and afterthe break. At 5:00 PM, the participants gatheredonce more and the group secretaries presentedthe results of their discussions.JUNE 28, 2011: Formation and StudiesMorning sessionThe second day of the meeting started withthe Eucharistic celebration and morning praiseat 6:00 AM in the Sisters’ Convent. Bro. PaulSmith presided and Bro. Babu Jose concelebrated.At 8:30 AM, the morning session beganwith an opening prayer and candle-lighting ledby Bro. Michael Perry, Bro. Joseph Ha, andBro. Philip Jeffares. Bro. Robert John Abadagave the recap.The moderator, Bro. Trevor D’Souza, invitedBro. Greg Redoblado to give his reportas the EAC Secretary for Formation and Studies.Bro. Greg Redoblado shared about EACinitiatives on collaboration in formation. Hementioned some activities like the CommonIntegration Program, and the Young Friars’Gathering. There are also future plans suchas the EAC formators’ course and an interconferentialformators’ course similar to thatoffered in Antonianum with a particular Asianthrust. Some difficulties encountered in theconference include learning English, cultureshock, and financial constraints. Bro. Gregended his report by presenting proposals suchas opening an international formation center inthe Philippines and the possibility of a summer