Theme: Initial and On-going Formation (Zolile Mpambani)

08:30 -- Presentation of the theme

10:30 -- Meeting in linguistic groups

• English
• French
• Italian (two groups)
• Spanish/Portuguese

15:30 -- Plenary session

17:30 -- Discussion session

Summary

In addition to giving some time to an over all view of formation the assembly discussed the planned on-going formation programs next year in Poland (using the Italian language) and in 2001 in the British - Irish Province (using English). Jozef Gawel (PO) explains plans for '99 on-going formation program

Much of the morning was spent on the topics of the planned on-going linguistic based formation programs in Rome starting in the year 1999. These programs are designed to last three months each. The objective is to: deepen congregational life and prepare oneself for the mission in light of a modern theological knowledge. It will seek to achieve this by: study of Christology, ecclesiology, mission and communication. The scheduled start for five language groups are:

• September 1999 Italian
• March 2000 English
• September 2000 Portuguese
• September 2001 French
• September 2002 Spanish

The second session was in linguistic groups with each group concentrating in three of the following five questions

1. In your province, region or community:

• a. How is the postulancy organized and run?
• b. How would you draw a consistent program conforming to what is prescribed in paragraph 97 of our Constitutions?

2. In your province, region or community what do you do in preparation for perpetual profession? Please give suggestions for a program of perpetual profession preparation that includes international sensitivity as suggested in We the Congregation.

3. What value to you give to the program, themes, and duration of the planned on-going formation programs in Rome?

4. Keeping in mind the formation needs in your areas to which category of formation directors should the Formation Meeting in Rome (May 10-21, 1999) be directed. Please write down your suggested topics for this meeting.

Meeting Notes

We hope to have Zolile's presentation posted to this site (in English) later today or tomorrow.

At the start of the morning session Fr. Claudio Seibenaler (CU), general secretary read a fax he received from the provincial of the province of Zaire, who could not attend this meeting due to the difficulties facing the Congo, its people and our fellow scjs. [Note the reference to this in the reflection offered by Maurice Légaré of French Canada.]

In addition, it was announced that last evening Fr. Giusto Pala died. Many in the hall personnaly knew him, as he served as provincial superior during the time of the 1991 General Chapter.

At the start of the afternoon session, John Czyzynski reported on the health situation of Br. Jerry Selenke who is in St. Francis Hospital in Milwaukee, WI. Many in the hall, and around the congregation, know Br. Jerry for the fine work he has been doing under very difficult conditions in the Congo.
 

Today's reflection is by Maurice Légaré, superior of the new region of French Canada. Maurice served for almost ten years as provincial superior and has continued on as the new regional superior. In addition to his many duties back home, he has taken upon himself the task of providing the French translations to our weekly News From Rome updates, as well as those of this meeting French and English   An Indian view of the Sacred Heart

Martin van Ooy (IN) is the superior of the SCJ Community in India. He brought along with him a gift for Fr. General and his council. The devotion to the Sacred Heart is very popular among Indian Catholics. The statue shows the Sacred Heart from an Indian point of view.