LEAD Story 309

The LEAD Team 2019-2023: 1st Row (seated from left to right): The District Council members - Br. Dennis Magbanua FSC, Br. Andrew Loke FSC, Br. Nicholas Seet FSC, Br. Joseph Klong FSC, Br. Lucas Thein FSC, Br. Michael Broughton FSC

2nd Row (standing from left to right): Mr. Jyron Raz, Br. Francisco Chadang FSC, Br. Mikey Cua FSC, Mr. Jay Gervasio, Br. Patrick Tierney FSC, Br. Ricky Laguda FSC, Br. Armin Luistro FSC, Br. Gus Boquer FSC, Br. Antonio Cubillas FSC, Br. Felipe Belleza FSC, Br. Sockie de la Rosa FSC, Atty. Carlu Fernandez, Mr. Ferdie Fernandez

21 July 2019 was an auspicious day. Salle de Toulouse Function Room in Hotel Benilde, Manila, became the venue of the first District Council meeting (DC 31) of the new LEAD administration headed by Br. Armin Luistro FSC, Visitor of East Asia. This was also the first time that the whole 18-member LEAD Team was complete.

The morning was optimally utilized by discussing the LEAD Map 2019-2023 - the plans for the District for the next 4 years. The Map consisted of 7 LEAD Goals (Mission, Formation, Vocation, Leadership, Sustainability, Linkages, and Organization) and its corresponding Key Priority Programs (KPP).

There was also a soft launching of the LEAD Mobile App, which the District Council used for voting on the 33 KPPs and other Resolutions. A simulated e-meeting was conducted via video-conference in the afternoon. These technological tools will hopefully shape how the future meetings of the District happen.

After the meeting, the team had a sumptuous dinner at Barbara’s in Intramuros. (Photos: Mr. Andrew Pamorada)

06-20 July 2019 @ Krisalis-Benilde Retreat and Conference Complex

Excerpts from the Article:

Coming together and by association on a common threshold It was July 7, Sunday when the program officially welcomed the coming together of Brothers and an affiliate member who are participating in the two-week program entitled, “Life Transitions”. The participants numbered 28 coming from the different countries belonging to the Pacific Asia Regional Conference namely, Australia, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri-Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.

View from the common threshold The first week’s theme was “Human Development and Consecrated Life” with guest lecturers coming from Southdown Institute in the persons of Sr. Dorothy Heidershceit and Dr. Michael Sy. The sessions during the week were on Aging Gracefully, Fostering Resiliency and Creativity, Dealing/Struggling with Midlife and Facing Retirement Issues, Cultivating Curiosity and Paying Attention to the Gifts of Mid-life and Aging, Journey of Integration in the 2nd Half of Life and Healthy Sexuality and Well-being.

The second week’s theme was “Lasallian Spirituality and Integration” with Brothers Felix and Chuy as the main facilitators. The sessions include Transitions in the life of St. John Baptist de La Salle, The Fragile Hope of a Witness – The evolution of the Institute and its impact on the holistic development of the Brother, Community Living and Consecration and Creativity to the Mission. The last two days of the second week was a Retreat facilitated still by Brothers Felix and Chuy reflecting on the journey of transitions as a Pilgrimage where all of us are Pilgrims. (Text: Br. Vince Fernandez FSC; Photos: Mr. Andrew Pamorada)

Mandaluyong City, Philippines – the Lasallian Formation Center* welcomed 16 postulants for this formation year that began 17 July 2019.

The community is quite diverse as it weaves together various experiences, age groups and backgrounds. The formands are united in their aspiration to live and be exposed to the life of the Brothers as they journey through personal and communal discernment. LFC brings together the following Brothers and postulants:

Br. Ranier Guillergan FSC
Br. Rafael Reyes FSC
Br. Kelvin Tan FSC
Nabeel Pius, PK
Claysius Kongoi, MY
Joshua Aaron Miranda, MY
Benjamin Naw Ring, MM
Martin La San Aung, MM
Anthony Nguyen Ngoc Thuyen, VN
J.B Bui Van Duc, VN
Joseph Pham Van Anh, VN
Mark Francis S. Basan II, PH
Julius Christian B. Calingasan, PH
King Jarod I. Cruz, PH
John Myron A. Duque, PH
John Paulo Ferrer, PH
Milton Christopher B. Merto, PH
Lester John Nombrefia, PH
Reigner Dawn M. Sanchez, PH

Br. Ranier Guillergan FSC, their formator, led the community in prayer inspired by the encounter of Moses with God in the burning bush. As part of the prayer service, a ritual took place. The postulants were given a holding cross which they placed inside their rooms after the blessings were given by other community members. They were also asked to reflect on their personal sacred grounds and the things they need to “take off” as they start their postulancy program.

After dinner, the postulants gathered for a short getting-to-know activity where they enjoyed singing karaoke songs over chips and drinks.

“Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." Corinthians 1:26-27 (Text: Mr. Paulo Ferrer; Photo: Br. Ranier Guillergan FSC)