"MORE TO COME IN MUTUAL COLLABORATION”
(FI – Lay Collaboration Team's Pansol Meeting)

“In order to grow in collaboration and partnership, it is, first of all, necessary to seek each one’s personal sanctification and to create a relationship that is founded on mutual respect and openness amidst the plurality of experiences and ideas.”

The above statement was made true by the eight members of the Team on FI-LAY COLLABORATION as they met last May 28-29, 2011 at Casa Cándida in Pansol, Laguna. Though this was just the second meeting of the team, who, prior to their first encounter in May, were strangers to one another, the spirit of fraternity and filiation was deeply experienced.

During this two-day meeting, the team experienced the warmth of friendship, respect and openness of each one as they prayed, exchanged ideas, discussed matters for their future activities and bonded with one another. Potential barriers posed by differing cultural backgrounds, work designation and status in life did not hinder the “growing spirit of collaboration” among the team members. Thus, the team felt that the meeting was not just a task to accomplish but a communion of brothers and sisters united by one vision and mission.

The meeting focused on two agenda: (1) progress report in different schools and (2) planning of the National FI-Lay Encounter.

As agreed in the meeting last May, there will be a series of “Call to Holiness” seminar-workshops to be organized in the different regions this coming July / August 2011. In Panay, Mr. Mike Sales was appointed to take charge in coordinating with the FI schools in the region with regard to the said seminar-workshop. This will be held on July 16, 2011 but the other details will still be discussed with the Representatives of the Congregation in the Apostolic Work (RCAs) of the different schools. On the other hand, Sr. Catherine Cheong, FI will give the “Call to Holiness” seminar-workshop in Cebu but there is no definite date yet. She will also give the same to the faculty and staff of Stella Maris Academy of Davao on July 22, 2011. As for Manresa School and Nazareth School, the seminar-workshop is scheduled on July 23, 2011 with Fr. Dave Dominguez, MCCJ as the resource person. Meanwhile, the schools conducted different activities such as Psycho-Spiritual Integration (PSI) sessions, recollections, trainings and seminars for their faculty and staff as a way of preparing for the collaboration in & among the members of the different apostolic centers.

The team also planned to hold a National FI-Lay Encounter on Collaboration on November 18-20, 2011 at Manresa School, Parañaque City. This seminar-workshop aims to deepen on the understanding and appreciation of collaboration in the apostolic centers and to intensify the spirit and attitude of collaboration among the members of the FI schools. However, at the moment, nothing is finalized yet. The team will be meeting again in July to discuss specific details.  

[see photos]