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FCAO WITH GENERAL DEFINITORY

The FCAO meeting together with the General Definitory began on a very solemn way at 4pm on 9th February, 2019, at Ban Pho Wan Pastoral Centre (Ban Phu Wan means The Sower). All the delegates were welcomed with a unique tender coconut at the lobby. The taste is so different and so sweet and so cool that it gave us the best effect against a humid weather of the afternoon.

After this, the General Definitory was given a very warm welcome with a garland and an arm band of flowers and the kit for the meeting. Other Delegates were given a similar welcome, too. Then, a young couple performed the traditional Thai dance to welcome us. This was done so well that everyone’s attention was completely on the dancers. We then went in a procession to the chapel for the Eucharistic celebration.

Friar Greg Redoblado the General Definitor offered the Eucharist and preached a fitting homily drawing inspiration from Pope Francis, asking us, the friars to commit ourselves to the great noble Franciscan tradition and to promote the best practices of living as religious with care for the mother Earth. We do all this with the great humility and trust that of Peter who despite working hard found no fish. But at the word of Jesus to go deeper into the sea, had a net full of fish, only to realize, personally, how sinful he was and how great the Word of Jesus is. Capuchins and OFS also joined us for the Eucharist. Our brother Arvind Kerketta too was present. The choir was conducted by the Betharam students.

We had supper at 6.30 pm followed by recreation. Each friar delegate had brought some amazing local specials to share with one another during the recreation.

The first day, 10th February, 2019, began with breakfast at 7am, followed by the meeting of all FCAO delegates together with the General Definitory. We began with a meaningful liturgy with the enthronement of the Bible and the prayers with fitting hymns to raise our minds and hearts to the Lord who brought us together.

The Director of the Pastoral Centre was here and welcomed us all. He recollected the presence of the Franciscans for 200 years until the invasion by Burma and then the home coming of friars that took place in 1985. He thanked the friars for the work they carried out and wished the everyone God’s blessings.

The session began with the presentation of the SAAOC report by the president Br. Yusuf Bagh. The report highlighted the uniqueness of the SAAOC entities with all the opportunities and challenges to be friars. In the open forum, the Minister General asked in what way collaboration was possible among the entities and in what way SAAOC is organizing itself to celebrate the 800th Anniversary of the meeting of St. Francis with the Sultan? Different ministers responded to the questions, assuring the friars that sharing of personnel, knowledge and finance would be great for the growth of the entities.

Then the president of EAC Br. Myeonghwan Carolo Ho from the Province of South Korea presented the report. He too highlighted the uniqueness of the EAC entities and the opportunities and challenges in them. Once again there were questions specific to the entities and a particular question to Br. Anthony from China about their realities.

At the end of this session, we had a visit by. fr. John Marie, the nephew of the first friar from Thailand who was also called John Marie who died during the World War in France and is buried there.

After the coffee break at about 11.15 the FCAO ministers were divided into 5 groups to share on three aspects: the hopes and aspirations of each entity; the major challenges of the entities and resolutions for greater collaboration among the entities. This was a very fruitful sharing. We realized that each entity has similar hopes, challenges and desire to work in collaboration and that the friars are looking for meaningful ministries in the world and each entity faces the stiff challenged of vocation recruitment was something common to all.

In the afternoon, we took the reports from Formation and Studies by the 2 secretaries for SAAOC and EAC. The reports were a synthesis of the reports received from each entity. From our entity, Brs. Shaji Nicholas and Scaria Varanath had sent their respective reports. The reports highlighted the basic aspects of formation and the data regarding the formees and the opportunities and challenges. It was well presented. The Minister General asked the conference as to how long quantity together with quality of the formation could be kept up? After this report, a study on the Franciscan Study Center (FSC), to be realized in the future, was presented. It brought out the realities of this newly proposed institute for Franciscan studies in Asia. This could be a Centre for all Franciscan families in Asia. The issues will be discussed again by the ministers of the conference.

After these reports, the delegates were sent in groups to discuss on the topics of Formation and FSC: concerns, resolutions and ongoing discussions.

At 6.15 we had the Holy Eucharist concelebrated by the three foundation presidents: India, Thailand and Myanmar. After the supper we had recreation and some very professional and interesting Thai cultural music and dance. The friars made the most of this hour by joining in with the dancers and helping themselves with some special delicacies from different entities.

Br. Praveen Henry D Souza
The Minister Provincial

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