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Pastoral Ministers Re -ignited, Re-tooled

Re-tooling of Pastoral Ministers: “Rekindling the Fire for Pastoral Ministry”

The Formation Committee of the F.I. Team on Educative Action organized the first of a two-part series of talks in response to the felt needs of pastoral ministers serving in the different F.I. Apostolic Centers in the Philippines.

The first session, entitled “Re-tooling of Pastoral Ministers,” was held via Zoom on July 3, 2021, with Sr. Joji Silorio, F.I. as the main speaker. It was attended by 27 participants representing the various F.I. Apostolic Centers.

The session carried the theme “Rekindling the Fire for Pastoral Ministry” and aimed to:

  1. deepen awareness of and reconnect with the person of the pastoral minister;
  2. revisit the role of Pastoral Ministry within the F.I. Educative Action; and
  3. review the dynamics involved in developing and implementing a Pastoral Ministry Program.

The session began with a gratitude activity, giving participants an opportunity to pause and reflect on the people, experiences, and events in their lives for which they were grateful. They then proceeded to their respective breakout rooms to share their reflections and experiences with one another.

Sr. Joji followed with a presentation on several topics related to Pastoral Ministry. These included the Defining Characteristics of a Catholic School; Church Documents relevant to understanding the rationale and purpose of Pastoral Ministry; the meaning and scope of Pastoral Ministry; the distinction between Pastoral Ministry and Campus Ministry; and the person and role of the Pastoral Minister.

An important part of the session was the presentation of a proposed Unified F.I. Pastoral Ministry Program Template, shared by Dr. Rodilla Tumanda, Principal of Stella Maris Academy of Davao. Mr. Patrick Bugay, Pastoral Minister of Manresa School, Parañaque, also presented an exemplar of a Pastoral Ministry Program.

The participants were encouraged to develop a Pastoral Ministry Program in centers where one had not yet been established. Those with existing programs were invited to revisit and revise them, particularly in light of the emerging needs and realities of the 2021–2022 school year.

Before the session concluded, the participants shared their key takeaways and reflections. They also agreed on a date by which their respective Pastoral Ministry Programs would be submitted to the Formation Committee.

The session concluded with a prayer led by Sr. Edhen Paranga, F.I., Principal of Colegio de la Inmaculada Conception, Pototan.

Prepared by

Mrs. Florilou Pantllano