From July 10-13, the Confreres of the Philippine Province gathered at St. Vincent Seminary in Tandang Sora, Quezon City for the Provincial Convocation (convoked by the Visitor, Fr. Gregorio L. Bañaga, Jr., CM). Its purpose was establish goals for the next five years. Fr. Gregorio used a combination of two distinct organizational-transformational methodologies called Appreciative Inquiry and SOAR (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations and Results). The three-day gathering was actually preceded by a first phase (Orientation and Discovery) that was conducted by Fr. Greg in five groups/clusters of the local communities in the different parts of the country. In those gatherings, the Confreres shared their “peak experience,” a time when they felt most alive, most fulfilled, most excited about their ministry. They also discussed three themes: creative evangelization, solidarity, and missionary collaboration. The convocation provided an opportunity for a deeper dialogue among the confreres on some important issues that were identified in the small group sharings. One of the highlights of this gathering was the presentation of Fr. Gregorio on the Culture of Affirmation … which echoes the reference to the Congregation as a “community of dear friends.”
By: Kit Torayno, CM
Edited by:
Charles T. Plock, CM
Eastern Province, USA
