Iffasia Information Kit Dec2010

INSTITUTE OF FORMATION FONDACIO ASIA (IFFAsia) School of Discipleship-Mission

INFORMATION KIT

IFFAsia Info Kit Dec 10

“Behold I make all things new” (Rev 21:5)

T

he changing ‟signs of the times‟ challenge us to actively renew the community—through a proactive response. Through the youth and laity, the Church has an opportunity to respond to mission needs in new ways that are appropriate to the local community. To effectively undertake this response, the agents of change need relevant training—personal-social-pastoral knowledge, skills and attitudes—that empower them to bring fresh perspectives to emerging social realities. The Institute of Formation, Fondacio Asia (IFFAsia) established in May 2006, seeks to support the mission of local Churches and communities to respond to local needs. IFFAsia forms young leaders with a community and missionary spirituality for the renewal of the Asian Church and society.

Students Year 2009-2010

IFFAsia welcomes young adults and potential leaders in their early 20’s to mid 30’s. A maximum of only 25 students will be accepted for the 10 month live-in formation. Classes begin from June to March. Candidates must have a college degree or at least completed high school, with 2-3 years of work experience. They must have had some involvement or service in the local Church or Society as this is helpful in the formation process. IFFAsia gives priority to those coming from newly emerging Churches and communities in need.

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IFFAsia Info Kit Dec 10

INTEGRATED APPROACH IFFAsia proposes an integral and holistic approach to formation which includes various currents of formation in the Church and Society. Our focus is discipleshipmission.

Human Formation

Spiritual Formation

Social Development

Pastoral Formation

Taking the existential path of self-discovery, growth, healing and transformation in the context of a living Community.

Understanding and growing in Christian faith, scripture, traditions and respect for other faiths and cultures.

Experience and understand the challenges of the times through exposure/ immersion, critical analysis and integration of faith & life.

Equipping person with necessary tools and skills to be effective workers and leaders.

Human & Spiritual Module Self-Discovery

Relationship

Christian Community

Foundation of Faith

Mission Oriented

Evangelisation

Discipleship Emergence of the Person and Witness

Holistic Integral Formation

Agents of Renewal in Asian Context

Mission Community Development Understanding (society, culture, religion)

Pastoral Skills

Understanding Church

Communication

Social & Pastoral Module

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LIFE AT IFFAsia The whole formation process is facilitated through the community life of students and staff. It is a learning community where everyone is in a process of growth and transformation. The methodology is cognitive, experiential and participatory. A formation team will accompany students in their progress. Lectures Theology classes and in-house formation help to deepen the faith formation and make the connection with their lived experiences. Variety of faculty and resource persons brings a rich experience of ideas and approaches. Community Life Through prayer, service, recreation and other activities, the students learn to grow in respect, trust, leadership and fraternal love.

Practicum Integration will be complemented by exposure / immersion and pastoral work. This will lead to mission preparation in the last semester.

Accompaniment Journey

Prayer, Solitude & Retreats Students will be helped to develop an inner life through daily and communitarian prayer, weekly integration of lived experience, times of solitude and retreats.

Spiritual Directors, Counsellors and Companions are available to every student, to ensure integration of faith and life and to work through life issues during the year.

OPEN SESSIONS Some sessions will be open to the public:  Enneagram (August)  Faith Walk (November)

 Youth Ministry (January)  Facilitation Skills (February)

ENGLISH LANGUAGE All students are required to begin English classes in their home countries and to have an average command of English. Those who are weak in English must join the Intensive English classes held in May every year at IFFAsia.

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IFFAsia Info Kit Dec 10

YOUR COMMITMENT COST OF FORMATION The subsidised amount of fees is US$300 per month or US$3,000 for the 10-months or US$3,300 for 11 months (including English). This covers food, lodging, tuition and formation expenses. Those coming from difficult situations can request for scholarships which IFFAsia will try to make available. However, the student and Sending Organisation have to provide airfare, visa and pocket money. Estimated amount for the pocket money will come to a minimum of US$30—50 per month and for the visa an additional US$700 in the Philippines. Upon acceptance of the student, a registration fee of US$200 should be sent ahead. (This will be considered part payment for visa expenses).

SPONSORSHIP Each student is encouraged to find some family members, friends and parishioners who can pray for him/ her, give moral support and concrete assistance. This „community of family and friends‟ can commit to journey in faith with the student, through prayer, exchange of news and some financial help during the year. Sponsorship when lived in faith is often a turning point or conversion for students and sponsors in their relationship to money and enhances their trust in God. We will continue to initiate and support the students in the grace of sponsorship. POST-FORMATION ACCOMPANIMENT

After the year of formation, students commit to serve at least two-(2)years in their local community either parttime or full time. During this twoLetter of Agreement year period IFFAsia will accompany the students through a postUpon acceptance, the Student, the formation program, monitoring and Sending Organisation and IFFAsia evaluation, and ensure they have will sign a Letter of Agreement sufficient pastoral support in the misoutlining each one‟s mutual sion field. At the end of the 2 year responsibility during the year and for service period IFFAsia will conduct the Post-Formation accompaniment an evaluation of students leading to a (PFA) process on the ground discernment retreat to help them in for 2 years. their life orientation and mission.

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LAITY IN MISSION (LiM) Program As part of its vision to provide on-going formation for laity, IFFAsia is developing on an experimental basis an upgrading and support system for laity in various services and ministries. Over 3 years, lay persons are encouraged to take up on a part time basis a specialized area of formation or studies together with community life, spirituality, accompaniment and service.

PROGRAM OUTLINE

INTEGRATION PHASE - PERSONAL and COMMUNITY

 Initiation and Transition  Introduction to the Program  Fondacio Spirituality and Mission  Initiation to a Christian Community  Discipleship Program 1: Human & Spiritual Awareness

LEADERSHIP(PASTORAL) PHASE

 Discipleship Program 2: Pastoral Skills Training and Enhancements  Leadership and Community Management  Personal Management

MISSION PREPAREDNESS PHASE

    

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Mission Spirituality and Formation Asian Spirituality Sponsorship and Fund Raising Project Proposal Writing Specialized Studies in Particular Fields

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STUDENT TESTIMONIES The formation provides existential foundations  To prepare oneself to take initiatives for the challenges of the Church & society  To understand the mission in relation to the world, religions and cultures  To live the Christian community life and spirituality of Fondacio  To understand man from the aspect of Christian anthropology  To build one’s life on the faith in Jesus Christ—Spiritual Growth. Over the past years, all the students from 8 countries have gone back to serve their local communities; and 90% are serving full time.

I want to continue to serve because my passion is here with the youth… I see their needs, their struggles, especially when I work on the ground with them. I am not into a big thing, but I want to journey with them, into their daily lives. just to listen to them, to talk with them, not to advice, not to mother or to be teacher to them, but a friend. Working as a young lay leader today is very challenging and it will need lots of commitment and time, but it also is a blessing to see our youth grow, to see hope in them.” Lucy, Malaysia 2006-07

IFFAsia Info Kit Dec 10

Before I only thought of what I wanted to do and never stopped to think about what others need. I never thought of showing gratitude for the chance I have to live life. Through some visits to slum areas and the 3 months at IFFAsia, I am learning to love everyone. I would like to pay more attention to those who are disadvantaged lonely and give them more strength, organize them to take part in all sorts of social activities, take them out of the emptiness of their soul, so that they will once again feel God‟s Love. Duan Ran, China 2009-10

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“My encounter with Jesus led me to the Institute of Formation. My biggest challenge is to let go of the Nina that I used to know and to live in the here and now. I am slowly learning how to feel again, to let the real me live, become a real follower of Christ.” Nina Chan, Malaysia, 2008-09

“Catholics are a small minority in my country. When I went home after formation, youth ministry in my diocese was not organised yet. The challenge I faced initially was to work alone. At that time, I felt very heavy burden. Then I found many people who were willing to give me the support… Each time I begin helping others, they in turn are willing to help me. There are times when I don‟t know what to do and before I could even plan, they had already planned successfully. I really want to continue. I see my fruits and what I have become so far. I need to persevere so that I can become even more fruitful. Now it is just starting. I feel that I am called to do more, to serve and to discover. How can I do to fulfil my dream? ... If I give up who will be the hope? Now I try to build the new generation, the new ones who can continue.” Lattana, Laos, 2006-07

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IFFAsia Info Kit Dec 10

I am in the BEC team working as an animator. This is very new in my diocese and we targeted two parishes as a pilot project. We give 3 formation modules to the communities before we organize them. I am now going into the Family renewal program for BECS., which covers 5 topics. Working in the BEC is a way for me to discover more the realities and know my community. I also accompany youth and conduct personal and spiritual formation sessions for them. This is the first time I give formation to youth. We start with whatever we have and use it well. I see this as a way to expand our mission in the field. What I am doing is helping to grow our communities into one community. I want to live in the present and that means being disciplined to be with God and to become his disciple. Peter, Myanmar, 2007-08

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WHAT BENEFICIARIES SAY… “I am thankful for the three young women from our province that you have trained in your institute in the Philippines. They are now serving the dioceses. I also appreciate the assistance you have provided us in the evangelization camps the previous year. As you know China is in a time of transition and the Church has to upgrade and renew itself to be relevant to the people and situation of today.” Bishop Stephanus, China “A recurring need of youth ministry has been in the formation of its animators and leaders. IFFAsia aims to answer this need. We wish to recommend IFFAsia as a partner in building up the local church in Asia.” Bishop Rolando Tria Tirona, OCD, DD Prelature of Infanta, Philippines. Chairman FABC—OLF - Youth ”On my part, I have no hesitancy to recommend wholeheartedly such an Institute. I have known the members of Fondacio for the past years and can vouch for their commitment and devotedness as lay leaders.” Archbishop Charles Bo, SDB Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar The interaction within a community forms the heart first before the head. The experience of community is an on-going formation that helps prune the young to become stronger and prepares them for situations of crisis. I am happy to see that the formation at IFFAsia emphasizes this aspect. Bishop Joel Baylon Diocese of Masbate, Philippines “We raised youth workers not only within the structures of youth ministry but produced workers in the area of social development” Carol, Fondacio Myanmar “Being the first full time youth worker in the diocese, she is the linking person between the hierarchy and youth” Bishop Ling, Laos

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IFFAsia Info Kit Dec 10

“The two students who returned are …more confident and comfortable in their mission, clear development of Youth Ministry, good impact on the youth in the parishes” Fr. Bruno, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

“The students from Laos who followed the formation at IFFAsia are able to use their knowledge to implement formation programs for the youth. They are becoming role models for the young and the bishops are happy with their contribution.” Sr. Jesse, DC Diocese of Vientiane, Laos

BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Board consists of a Bishop Chairman, 2 priests and 4 lay persons with experiences in formation, pastoral and social work in Asian countries.

IN-HOUSE FORMATION TEAM The in-house formation is conducted by a team of 6 facilitators, majority of whom have done post graduate studies. Their skills are continuously upgraded through regular programs during the year.

PARTNERS and COLLABORATORS  St. Vincent School of Theology (SVST)  Centre for Family Ministry (CEFAM)  National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice & Peace (NASSA)  Philippine Educational Theatre Association (PETA)

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 Asian Social Institute (ASI)  Bukal Ng Tipan Retreat Center  Center for Ignatian Spirituality (CIS)  East Asian Pastoral Institute ( EAPI)  Religious congregations and others.

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Fondacio—Christians for the world is an international association of the lay at the service of the world. It has pontifical recognition and is present in more than 20 countries. Fondacio is Catholic and ecumenical and works with youth, professionals, couples and families, the elderly and marginalized to bring hope and renewal. The Apostolic Project of Fondacio  To propose the Good News to men and women of today  To contribute to the construction of a more humane society  To call and form workers for the Kingdom  To contribute to the growth and renewal of the Church

For Application forms and enquiries, please contact:

Institute of Formation, Fondacio Asia (IFFAsia) Little Lamb Compound, St. Martin St. Rosalia Village 2 Tandang Sora, Quezon City 1116, Philippines Tel: +63-2-937-3681 Email: [email protected] Web : www.fondacio.org Blog: http://fondacio-asia.blogspot.com

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