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FORMATION FOR PMS DIOCESAN DIRECTORS Final report
PREPARATION
First and foremost, it was essential to get the names of possible Coordinators on Diocesan level and a letter along with a Nomination Paper was sent to all the Bishops of the 12 Dioceses detailing them about the Training Seminar and requesting them to nominate two fathers and one sister from each Deanery of their Dioceses.
Once these were received we had to post letters separately to each Nominee mentioning the Training Seminar and that he/she had been nominated by their Bishop to take part in the Seminar and a post card too was attached to be sent back to the National Office in confirmation of his/her participation in the Training Seminar. A total of 153 letters and post cards were thus sent. There was no response from many and we had to contact them over the phone to get a confirmation at the last minute. Accordingly, we were able to gather as many as 149 participants, Fathers (including the 12 PMS Diocesan Directors) and Sisters for the Training Seminar who had confirmed their participation.
Once the participation was confirmed we did write to the Rector of the National Seminary of Our Lady of Lanka, Ampitiya, Kandy (the venue selected to hold the Training Seminar) requesting for reservation of accommodation and to arrange for food.
EVALUATION OF THE RESULTS THAT CAME AS AN OUTCOME OF THE PROJECT All participants in general were full of praise to have had the opportunity to attend the Training Seminar. They came from all over Sri Lanka. Everyone was so happy to meet and share their mission experiences with others in their field and many new relationships emerged from getting to know one another. The participants appreciated the food and accommodation provided.
They especially thanked the National Director Rev. Fr. Basil Rohan Fernando and the Staff of the PMS National Office for the way this has been organized and conducted and have requested to hold more Training Seminars as such. About the speakers and the themes entrusted to each one were said to be precisely chosen; the participants could learn more about the history of Pontifical Mission Societies and Holy Childhood Society, and they were also made to clearly understand about the spirituality of St. Joseph Vaz, and the many challenges it has offered to the mission of Sri Lanka, by the many talks delivered and were highly commended. Many said that they were made to understand the importance of evangelizing themselves first and that all the talks did give them the
173 zeal to be actively involved in the missionary activity of the Church and also the urge to serve the children of their deaneries and parishes. They were pleased that they finally got the knowhow, the strength and the courage to face all the challenges to follow Jesus and to do his mission. They were full of praise for getting to know how to approach the children of the present age whose minds are mechanized and drawn towards the ever improving technology and its new products rather than to the spiritual aspects of their lives.
BIOGRAPHY AND FORMATIVE SKILLS OF THE SPEAKERS/PROFESSORS The Participants were:
The present Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Colombo – His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith B.Th. L.S.S. (Rome), Diploma in Biblical Studies (Hebrew University, Jerusalem) and the inceptor of the Holy Childhood Society of Sri Lanka
The present Bishop of Kurunegala – His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera, B.Th. (Rome), M. A. (Rome), Diploma in Seminary Formation, Diploma in Computer Studies – Chairman of the Catholic National Commission for Missionary Activity of Sri Lanka
Rev. Fr. Jan Maria Chun Yean Choong – Secretary of His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio for Sri Lanka
Rev. Fr. Anthony Nilantha BPh (Rome), BTh (Rome), PhL (Rome) – Professor and present Lecturer on Philosophy and Nature at the Philosophy Department of the National Seminary of Our Lady of Lanka, Ampitiya, Sri Lanka
Rev. Fr. Lal Pushpadewa OMI – National Director of the Social Communication Centre, Sri Lanka
Rev. Fr. Nerio Abraham BPh, BTh, STL (Rome) – Episcopal Councilor of the Diocese of Kandy and present Parish Priest of St. Xavier’s Church, Nuwara Eliya and a past Diocesan Director of P.M.S.
Professor Anton Meemana, Ph.D. (Manila) – Professor of Philosophical and Ethical Perspectives on Peace and Reconciliation, Member of the Advisory Committee of the Geethawaliya Committee and present Lecturer at Theologate in Sri Lanka affiliated to the Campus of the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome
Rev. Fathers – Parish Priests (past and present), Assistant Parish Priests, Diocesan Directors, Rev. Brothers, Deacons (young and old)
Rev. Sisters – Superiors of Convents, Sisters involved in Teaching and serving in many congregations (young and old)
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All above mentioned participants originated from many parts of Sri Lanka except for the Secretary to His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio for Sri Lanka who was the only foreigner, appointed by the Vatican.
HIGHLIGHTING OF THE USE AND/OR AVAILABILITY OF BIBLIOGRAPHICAL MATERIAL
Holy Bible
Redemptoris Missio
Ecclesia in Asia
Lumen Gentium
Ad Gentes
Canon Law
Opus Securitaties
Evangelii Nuntiandi
Laudato Si
Lumen Fidei
Evangelii Gaudium
METHODOLOGY FOLLOWED FOR CARRYING OUT THE PROJECT, TEACHING METHODS
All Participants were handed a time table. The teaching methods used were by way of talks delivered, where some speakers used Power Point presentations, group discussions, dramas, group animation sessions, entertainment sessions, etc. Fr. Nerio Abraham is the only one who handed to each and everyone a printed document of his speech while His Eminence the Cardinal and Professor did not use any media presentations or handouts.
Rev. Fr. Basil Rohan Fernando National Director – Pontifical Mission Societies
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