Synodality Shines at the Provincial

Synodality Shines at the Provincial Educating Community Assembly

The online Provincial Educating Community General Assembly of the FMA communities in the Philippines and Papua New Guinea was a strong experience of synodality. The annual two-day event that usually gathers core groups of parents, lay mission partners, young people, and Salesian Sisters in August was moved to November 28-30, 2020, and had to be online due to the Covid-19 restrictions. Thanks to the internet, it expanded the participation of educating community members to include all students, Salesian educators, lay mission partners, and families. It also saw the participation of many past pupils, VIDES volunteers, volunteer parent catechists, Salesian Cooperators through the live broadcast on the Facebook pages of the FMA schools and the FMA Province, making the talks accessible to all.

The Provincial Educating Community Core Group (PECCG), headed by Mr. Walter San Diego, PECCG president, guided by Sr. Josephine Garza, FMA, delegate to the PECCG, and Sr. Maria Josefina Carrasco, FMA, provincial councilor representative to the PECCG, organized this event. The general assembly focused on the theme: “Nurturing Mental Health during this Pandemic: Empowerment for Resilience and Grit.” It was a sequel to the congress last year, which carried the same theme and was valued for its relevance, hence, a clamor for follow-up sessions.

Sr. Mabel Pilar, FMA, the Provincial Superior, and Mr. Walter San Diego, PECCG President, graced the event with their heartwarming opening messages. The PECCG invited a powerhouse of resource persons who helped the participants deepen the theme through their talks and the opportunity to interact with the audience in an open forum. On the 1st day of the assembly, Dr. Joan Mae Perez – Rifareal, a renowned psychiatrist in the country, gave the opening keynote on the given theme. She shared the dynamics of various mental health issues exacerbated by the pandemic. She concluded her talk with coping strategies to maintain a positive mindset in adapting to the new normal to experience this pandemic as an opportunity for growth.

At the end of each day, the FMA communities took turns in presenting video reports of their journey in living their Laudato Si’ commitments and the Family Ministry in action. This promoted mutual learning to creatively care for our common home by self-examination, transforming our social values, and taking action for global solidarity. The Family Ministry, which has always enjoyed a priority focus, is a key player in all our advocacies.

The 2nd day began with three concurrent sessions that grouped the participants according to age. The young people ages 10-13 were with Mr. Allen Jeffrey Saraza, a motivational speaker & advocate of mental health, who spoke on “Coping with Social Isolation and the Challenges of Virtual Learning.” The participants (from the 14-24 age bracket) had a very interactive discussion on “5G: Grit, Gratitude, Generosity, Grace, and Glory,” facilitated by Fr. Jayson David, SDB. The 3rd concurrent session group gathered all the adult members of the Provincial Educating Community where Ms. Karen Kay Vardeleon, a family psychologist, talked about “Enhancing Family Resilience Today and Post-Pandemic.” After the concurrent sessions, the participants gathered together for the “Online Journaling” given by Ms. Alya Honasan. She encouraged everyone to tell one’s story through journal writing because this serves as the best therapy when one feels alone. Last, Sr. Cynthia Calabig, FMA, guided the prayer experience on “The Healing of the Paralytic.” as facilitated by

At 7:00 PM of November 29, the PEC members elected the new set of officers via Zoom polls. The elected PECCG officers were the following:

Chairperson: Mr. Walter San Diego Vice-Chairperson for Basic Education Schools: Mrs. Thelma Fatima Ponce Vice-Chairperson for Non-Basic Education Schools: Ms. Donita Magtanggol Secretary: Ms. Maricris Sadili Treasurer: Dr. Paz San Agustin P.R.O.: Mr. Bryan Tubino Auditor: Atty. Donna Marie Nadal Student Representatives: Angel H. Tayag III, Juztine Peralta, Timothy Artrae Marfori, and Michael Joash Oliveros

The closing keynote on “Salesian Accompaniment Towards Resilience and Grit,” on the 3rd day was given by Fr. Fidel Ma. Orendain, SDB. He presented how the Preventive System is an efficacious style of education despite the changes in the educational milieu.

Fr. Fidel’s talk was reinforced by the video message of Sr. Lucy Rose Ozhukayil, FMA, Visiting Councilor, who challenged the participants to rediscover the wealth of Salesian Pedagogy that is still relevant and dynamic to build a responsible generation for the future.

The event ended with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided by Fr. Jayson David, SDB. During the Mass, the newly-elected PECCG officers took their oath of office, pledging to continue their service most of all in invigorating the Family Ministry and the Laudato Si’ commitment.

Lockdowns are still in place in the Philippines. Hence, the event allowed the participants to reconnect. It also empowered them to promote mental health and to re-commit to mutual Salesian accompaniment.