25th Anniversary of VIDES

25th Anniversary of VIDES Philippines

On November 22, 2020, VIDES Philippines celebrated the 25 years of the Group’s activity with an online meeting. More than 50 were the connected participants – VIDES Volunteers in Germany, the United States, New Zealand, Italy, and the Philippines – welcomed by Lezeil Ebdane, President of VIDES Philippines.

The meeting was attended by Sr. Runita Borja, General Councilor for Youth Ministry; Sr. Mabel Pilar, the Provincial Superior of the Philippine-PNG Province; Sr. Annecie Audate, the Director-General of VIDES International; Sr. Maria Imelda David, the VIDES Philippines delegate and other FMAs and VIDES delegates. Mr. Guido Barbero, President of VIDES International, and the representatives of the VIDES Groups from various countries sent their greetings.

The event began with the Holy Mass presided by Fr. Andy Peter Lubi from Mindoro who, in the homily of the Solemnity of Christ the King, presented Jesus as king and shepherd who looks at His sheep with mercy and compassion. He encouraged the participants to have the same gaze as Christ, to be signs of His presence among the poorest.

Sister Annecie Audate in her presentation, expressed gratitude to all the people who allowed VIDES Philippines to reach this goal: “We sincerely thank the first volunteers who had the intuition to start VIDES in the Philippines, to create a network of solidarity, an organization that today is an active interlocutor for the defense and promotion of human rights. We thank in particular the young people who have embraced the VIDES proposal with enthusiasm and creativity, contributing to the development of voluntary service and their human and spiritual maturation.”

In conclusion, Sister Annecie recalled Mr. Felimon “Jun” Pimentel, who passed away in August 2020, who was one of the pioneer volunteers of VIDES and contributed to the preparation of the events for the 25th anniversary celebrations. Online Salesian Family Vocation Festival

Around 500 participants from various parts of the country gathered online for the second Salesian Family Vocation Festival on November 20-22, 2020, live-streamed via Zoom and Facebook. This annual event is a joint collaborative activity by the Vocation Animation Sectors of the FMA-FIL, led by Sr. Ravena Dominguez, FMA, and SDB-FIN, headed by Fr. Jayson David, SDB, in collaboration with the Salesian Family.

Despite the lockdown due to the pandemic, the Vocation team decided to push through with the Vocation Festival 2020. This time of unprecedented uncertainties is an opportunity for young people to reflect on the meaning and quality of life that they are living.

The Salesian Family members are persons who found meaning in serving the Lord by living the Salesian charism, so explains the tagline of the event "#Forever, I’m staying with Don Bosco."

Each day, three or four groups of the Salesian Family presented to the assembly via videos and online interviews. The 59 small groups for sharing via the Zoom breakout rooms followed, where the participants shared their reflections or ask questions. The first and second days of the festival lasted for more than two hours and the third day lasted for more than three hours. the actual celebration days. Fr. Bobby Roxas, SDB, delegate to the Salesian Family commission, gave the opening remarks on the first day introducing the Salesian Family. The Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), the Volunteers of Don Bosco (VDB), and the Association of Salesian Cooperators (ASC) presented their groups.

On the second day, Sr. Debbie Ponsaran, FMA, Youth Ministry provincial coordinator, gave the opening remarks on the Strenna 2021, encouraging the young to incarnate hope in concrete acts of solidarity. It was then the turn of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA), and the Volunteers with Don Bosco (CDB).

On the last day, the Caritas Sisters of Jesus (SCG), the Asociacion Damas Salesianas (ADS), and the SDB and FMA Past Pupils presented their groups. Fr. Gerardo Martin, provincial superior of the Salesians of the Philippines – North Province, presided the concluding Mass. He encouraged the young to obey God's Word – the Shepherd King who calls them, to transformation and loving service.

At the end of the festival, the participants went through discernment to see which Salesian Family group they desire. There were 86 facilitators, composed of FMAs, SDBs, and other members of the Salesian Family. They will continue to accompany these young people, even after the festival, to ensure continuity in their vocational journey.

By Sr. Mariel Riceani De Mata, FMA