Preface. On February 29, 2012, representatives of the different religious congregations and institutes met at the SOLT Fathers Residence. Our representatives were Frs. Dionisio Cabezón and José Luis de Miguel. Considering that it is important for us all to know what is going on in our different religious communities and in the diocese, and how we religious men – and women – can help each other and the pastoral project of the Macau Diocese, we present hereafter the minutes of said meeting.
Minutes
Date: February 29, 2012
Time: 15:10
Venue: SOLT Fathers Residence
Present: Fr. Peter Pong Ping Fai SDB, Fr. James Liebner SVD, Fr. Jojo Ancheril CMF, Fr. Matthias Christian SVD, Fr. John Ledesma SDB, Fr. Jose Luis de Miguel Fernandez OP, Fr. Dionisio Cabezon Garcia OP, Fr. Artemio Balana Jr. SOLT, Fr. Franz Gassner SVD, Fr. Martin Daniel CB, Fr. Pedro Balde Jr. SOLT, Fr. Antonio Kim BMC and Fr. Victor Aguilar MCCJ.
1- The meeting started with a Lenten Season opening prayer led by Fr. Victor.
2- The Minutes of the last meeting on January 25, 2012 were read and approved.
It was pointed out that there is a correction of the previous minutes saying that “At present there are ten (instead of nine) Male Religious Congregations in Macauâ€. It is to be added to the list of the previous minutes the “Clerical Congregation of the Blessed Korean Martyrs†BMC.
3- The Agenda for the meeting was presented and approved.
*Election of the directing committee of the Religious Men in Macau
*Organization and Plan for the year 2012
*AOB
4- Election of the directing committee (Association) of the Religious Men in Macau
Fr. Victor explained to the participants the proposal of the previous meeting that is to formally elect a directing committee or Association of the Male Religious in Macau. This Association will allow us to collaborate among ourselves and also to support and collaborate with the Bishop of Macau, with the secular clergy and with the Women Religious in Macau.
Fr. Peter Pong asked about the opinion of the bishop of Macau regarding this proposal of the Association of the Male Religious in Macau. Fr. Pong also informed the participants that he and Fr. Manuel Machado were elected and are members of the “Presbyteral Consultative Council of the Diocese of Macau†representing the Religious.
Different opinions in favor of the importance of establishing this organization were expressed by the participants and it was proposed that the directing committee is composed by Fr. Peter Pong (president), Fr. Alberto Rossa (vice-president) and Fr. Victor Aguilar (secretary).
All the participants unanimously agreed on this leadership.
5- Organization and Plan for the year 2012
It was proposed that the elected directing committee gathers and make a draft of the guidelines for the Association (i.e. bylaws) taking into account the Vision, Mission, Membership, Plan, Activities, etc.
Some aspects to be considered in these guidelines are the following:
* To do some activities together (during the year) with the Women Religious Association in Macau.
* Besides the monthly meetings also other kind of activities (i.e. outings, picnic, etc.) and prayers activities are to be conducted.
* To know more ourselves, our congregations; to create a family spirit and to unite ourselves.
* To discuss together challenges, difficulties and also developments and plans.
* To look for common concerns and real cooperation and collaboration.
* Feast days of each Congregation are to be celebrated and included in the plan and also mutual invitation could help us to know more each other.
* To celebrate together the World Day for Migrants and Refugees.
* For the monthly meetings, we usually visit different communities; therefore the hosting community can share about themselves and their service and ministry.
* To consider the possibility of an inculturation course for those newly arrived in Macau.
* To help the Diocese of Macau and the bishop to make a Diocesan Pastoral Plan.
6- Any Other Business
Fr. Jojo was appointed by the bishop to be the Administrator of St. Joseph Seminary. He is planning to organize a Novena in preparation for the Feast of St. Joseph (March 19, 2012). He is inviting all of us to participate and collaborate during the Novena with the Eucharistic celebration. He will prepare a final schedule for the masses during the Novena and will request our support and collaboration. We thank the SOLT Fathers for their kind hospitality of today’s meeting.
7- Next meeting
Our next meeting is scheduled for March 28, 2012 in the Comboni Missionaries (MCCJ) Residence.         Following the recommendations of the participants the schedule of the monthly meeting is for the last Wednesday of every month.
8- The meeting adjourned at 16:15.
Fr. Vic Aguilar, MCCJ
Postface. On March 10, 2012, the Bishop of Macau, His Excellency Most Rev. Joseph Lai, DD called a meeting, held at the Cathedral, of different representatives from the Parishes, Religious Men and Women and Lay Movements. The purpose of the meeting was to present and discuss the new Pastoral Project of the Diocese and the renovation of the Catholic Center, which shall house the different centers and activities of the Diocese. Certainly, something is moving! This is good also for us Dominicans in Macau, for we shall have a golden opportunity to participate and contribute towards the implementation of pastoral programs directed to a renewed evangelization in Macau. The representative of our community to this meeting was Fr. Fausto Gómez, OP.