Ministry Planning

MINISTRY PLANNING WORKSHOP Kabankalan Community, Philippines

On Thursday June 30 a group of Brothers and other selected people gathered at

San Columbano Retreat Centre, Batang, home base of Fr. Brian Gore, to review the ministries of the Brothers' Community in Kabankalan and to plan for the next five years.

Director of Ministries Br. Peter Clinch combined his participation in the workshop with his first visit to the Philippines. Mr. Matt Hawkins, Assistant Principal Identity at St. Patrick's College Shorncliffe and formerly the leader of the Nudgee College student immersions to schools in the Diocese of Kabankalan, also came from Australia. Br. Graeme Leach of the Maasin Community in Leyte joined the group. Local members included Fr. Ramon Florete, Corporate Secretary of the Edmund Rice Brothers, The Philippines, Inc and member of the Diocesan Education Commission (DEC), Sr. Teresita Garabato, PBVM, member of the DEC and member of the Presentation Sisters Leadership Team, Mr. Rolando Dela Cruz, Principal Immaculate Conception Academy Dancalan, Mrs. Angelina 'Angie' Gayares and Ms Vanessa Anne 'Gigi' Tropa, teachers with Edmund Rice Services, were present, and of course John and Rod.

The workshop was led by Mrs Leah Samson of Cebu City, a mother of four and a very experienced facilitator.

After a period of getting to know each other and setting expectations, the first day was spent in a reality check on the givens of the ministry of the Christian Brothers in Kabankalan.

Peter Clinch spoke on the Christian Brothers and the Wider Edmund Rice Network in the World and especially in Oceania Province. Rod reported on the establishment of the Community in Kabankalan, its ministries, headways, challenges and difficulties. Graeme shared similarly on the Community in Maasin to provide a comparative approach. Fr. Ramon shared the situation in the Diocese of Kabankalan, the contribution and impact of the Brothers and challenges for future involvement. John, Angie and Gigi highlighted their efforts and difficulties in working in partnership with the local division of the Department of Education.

Leah summed up the day under the headings of IDENTITY and MINISTRY, then drew out from the day a series of related ISSUES. Each of the first three days ended with Mass led by Fr. Ramon.

During subsequent days under the heading of Identity we strategized a drive for recruitment of Filipino Brothers and the establishment of a formal Edmund Rice Network group we have tentatively called Edmund Rice Companions. We then turned our attention to Ministries. We are involved in both formal and non-formal educational endeavours. We decide to adopt the term Edmund Rice Services (ERS) for what we do. The next step was to hold up what we do against the recently developed Characteristics of an Edmund Rice Ministry: The Sacred, Right Relationships, Prophetic Leadership, Community and Cross-Cultural Awareness.

A Synopsis of Actions to carry us forward was then developed. Significant decisions included:

Bringing the Alternative Learning System (ALS) teaching of John, Angie and Gigi under the auspices of Kabankalan Catholic College;An attempt will be made to bring Social Outreach programs of Edmund Rice Services under the local Parish and involve local women's groups;In the next few years to identify and prepare a local lay person to take on the role of Superintendent of Schools;Developing a plan with a group of Filipinos for cultural supervision of our ministries;Working towards the development of an Edmund Rice Services Centre near the Brothers residence.The establishment of an Edmund rice Network Group this year.Regular prayer / reflection evenings with young people showing interest in the Life of the Brothers.Promotion of an increased flow of Edmund Rice Volunteers from Oceania.A more coordinated approach to Oceania School Immersion Programs.

The workshop ended with Mass led by Fr. Brian Gore. The whole experience was indeed a blessed one. It was both affirming and quite challenging.

Rod Ellyard and John Moodie

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