Closing mass of the Fifth Provincial Chapter of Japan-Philippines Province
The Provincial Chapter of the Japan - Philippines Province was held in two areas of the province, namely : Tomobe (Japan) and New Manila (Philippines). The chapter was held from 1 to 5 February 2021 through virtual zoom. The chapter was attended by 16 people: 13 Brothers Participants: Kenji Honma, Sri Waluyo, Michiaki Chihara, Jovy Garcia, John Yamada, William Donegan, Petrus Ado Belalawe, Jose Marie Dumagat, Ross Dela Cruz, Philip Murphy, Martinus Pariyanto, Don Brian Malnegro and Michael Hifarva). Romeka Situmorang represented the sisters. 1 Brother, a representative of the General Government (Thomas Sukotriraharjo) and 1 Faciliator (Bishop Berndt Wayne, Naha Diocese, Okinawa, Japan).
Beside some reports from Provincial Superior and different parts of commisions, e.g. Vocation Promotion, Initial Formation, Ongoing Formation, Ministries (Parishes, Kindergartens, Tala Ministry (Leprosy), and Finance there was also discussion about some important issues in the Province.
During the chapter on the third day there was election of the members of the Provincial Government (Councillors and Provincial Vicar). The Provincial Superior was elected before the chapter, Fr. CHIHARA Andrew John Michiaki was elected as Provincial Superior and approved by Father Superior General Fr. Alberto Toutin, SS.CC in November of last year. The Provincial Government of Japan - Philippines Province 2021 - 2023 are: CHIHARA, Andrew John Michiaki (Provincial Superior), BELALAWE, Petrus Ado (Provincial Vicar), SRI WALUYO, Frsnciscus Xaverius (Councillor), DUMAGAT, Jose Marie (Councillor), and HIFARVA, Michael (Councillor).
For the next three years, the Province of Japan - Philippines will focus on four priorities, namely:
1). Aging
- Study how to prepare ourselves for the last days of our lives to fulfil the religious and missionary life.
- Study and prepare a concrete way to look after brothers who becomes bedridden or seriously ill.
- Ask each brother about his wish/intention about the place to live the last days.
2). Vocation and Initial Formation.
- Promote and prepare more vocation.
- Raise the quality of Initial Formation (Formation of Formators).
- Seek personnel for Initial Formation (IF) from CAP, especially Indonesia, and other provinces.
3). Finances
- Seek and establish some way to raise more funds.
- Have more appropriate way of spending our common goods.
4). Planning for the future
- Possibility to be part of other Province.
02/07/2021