There are three main goals of this course: rectors are helped to take a better look at themselves, are equipped with basic knowledge, skills, wisdom and attitudes for their rector's ministry, and it is also an outstanding occasion for building a strong sense of the region.

The two main resource persons - Br Raymond Callo and Fr Henry Bonetti (both members of the EAO Formation team) - share responsibility for the 16 sessions. Both of them have been guiding the rectors through the revised ‘Rectors Handbook’ with lively interaction in smaller groups of 2-3 or large groups of 5-6 rectors each. Indeed the rectors appreciate the personal sharing most of all – listening to each other's life experience, listening and praying about their joy and challenges.

The animation of the Salesian local community is based on the figure of father, teacher and spiritual guide (SDB Constitutions art. 55). The whole second day is geared to talks, short video clips, feedback and open questions to help the new (some returning to the job after some years) and rectors-to-be to take up their ministry with the heart of Don Bosco. The rectors deepening of some practical points of spiritual accompaniment and guidance is based on listening, prayer and mature human attitudes of self-awareness. Among the comments: ‘Had I known, had I had this valuable occasion for formation earlier, I would have been a better rector!’

In the same day the value of sharing one's personal experience God was at the center. Listening to another Salesian's experience changes us from within (interiority), clarifies some life issues and feelings and helps us to grow in a contemplative attitude.

A focus on Don Bosco's Preventive system as lived in a fraternal community was held in the morning of Tuesday 27; while in the afternoon session the rectors took another look at the dynamics of spiritual accompaniment, this time based also on the worldwide Salesian survey of spiritual accompaniment and its interpretation in all five continents. The last session in particular was enlivened by many questions relating to the personal chat with the rector, the traditional 'rendiconto', or review, evaluation.

The presence of the EAO regional councillor, Fr Václav Klement, was profited from with a brief sharing in the early afternoon and, upon request, presenting also the 5 top challenges of the EAO region: fostering the active involvement of the young (SYM); welcoming and accompanying our lay people as mission partners; witnessing amid growing secularisation; sharing and growth in communion in spite of distance or a variety of situations and the need for more effective accompaniment.

After the last full day of the Rectors formation (28 November), the participants have an opportunity for a pilgrimage around most of the Salesian works in Hong Kong (29 November) before returning to their respective provinces!

Source: AustraLasia

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