DIREZIONE GENERALE OPERE DON BOSCO
Via della Pisana, 1111 P. 18333 - 00163 ROMA - Tel. 06.656.121 Fax: 06.65612556 - www.sdb.org
Don Ivo Coelho, SDB
Consigliere Generale per la Formazione – icoelho@sdb.org
Provincials
South Asia Region
Prot. no. 15/0240
11 July 2015
Sub: Specific formation of Salesian Brothers in the SPCSA Region
Dear Fr. Provincial,
I am writing to you about the important question of the specific formation of our Salesian Brothers in India which, as you know, is required by our Constitutions (see R 98: “in the phase which completes their initial formation following the practical training, lay Salesians must be afforded the possibility of acquiring a serious theological, Salesian and pedagogical preparation suited to their cultural level”) and is by no means something optional.
As you well know, given the small number of Brothers eligible / available each year in India for specific formation, Sacred Heart Theological College and Mathias Institute, Shillong, which have been generously offering this service, has been able to hold the course only once in two or three years. On the other hand, the specific formation course at Paranaque (FIN) has been functioning very well, with a community of about 10 Brothers from the different countries of the East Asia region (Myanmar, East Timor, Vietnam, the Philippines) accompanied a formation team of 3 confreres, besides the professors of the academic centre.
After our discussions of this matter at the SPCSA meeting at Hyderabad in February 2015, I put the matter before the Rector Major, and we came to the conclusion that it would be best, for the time being, to send our Brothers in India for their specific formation to the Blessed Stephen Sandor community, Paranaque. As and when the numbers make it possible, we hope it will be possible to revive the Shillong course.
I ask you, therefore, starting from the academic year 2016, to send all your Salesian Brothers to Paranaque as and when they finish their practical training. In case of difficulties in particular cases, please write to me.
You would need, of course, to prepare the Brothers well and to motivate them for the course, and to begin travel preparations well in advance. Please get in touch with Fr Arnold Sanico, Rector (oldsansdb@yahoo.com) for registration and other details.
Thank you, dear Fr Provincial, for your understanding and cooperation.
Sincerely in don Bosco,
DIREZIONE GENERALE OPERE DON BOSCO
Via della Pisana, 1111 P. 18333 - 00163 ROMA - TeL 06.656.121 Fax: 06.65612556 -www.scl.org
Don No Coelho, SD/3
Consigliere Generale per la Formazione - icoelho@sdb.org
Fr Vaclav Klement, SDB, Regional EAO
Fr Paul Bicomong, Provincial FIN and President, Curatorium Sandor Community, Paranaque
Prot. No. 15/0481 7 December 2015
Subject: Specific formation of the Salesian Brothers, Sandor community, Paranaque - Philippines
Dear Fr Vaclav and Fr Paul,
This is with reference to the decision of the Curatorium to offer the Salesian Brothers' Specific Formation course at Sandor community, Paranaque, every two years, for reasons of logistics and better running of the course (cf. email from V. Klement of 2 October 2015).
As you know, the provinces of South Asia have been asked to send their Salesian Brothers to the Sandor community (see Prot. 15/0240, 11 July 2015), precisely so that the Brothers can avail of specific formation every year. Given this, the Sandor community now de facto involves two Regions.
I request you therefore to reverse the decision of the Curatorium, so as to ensure that the Salesian Brothers' Specific Formation course at Sandor community, Paranaque, is offered every year.
I am sure that, with some help, the formation team will be able to handle the dynamics of a multicultural community. Given also that South Asia will be contributing formees, there should be a better number of students in each class.
I thank you for your understanding and for the Brother friendly environment of the FIN province. My cordial thanks also to the Rector and the formation team of Sandor community for the precious service of formation offered to the Salesian Brothers of the two regions of Asia. May BI. Sandor and Zatti and Ven. Simaan Srugi intercede for us.
Sincerely in don Bosco,
Fr Ivo Coelho, SDB
Consigliere Generale per la Formazione
Copy:
Fr Francesco Cereda, SDB, Vicar of the Rector Major
Fr Maria Arokiam Kanaga, SDB, Regional, South Asia
