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APDESAM Assembly for Formation, in Mukono, Uganda

APDESAM Assembly for Formation, in Mukono, Uganda

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Thursday, July 13, 2023
The sub-continental meeting of those responsible for all formation houses (pre-postulancies, postulancies, novitiates, scholasticates and international Brothers’ centres) of the APDESAM (Assembly of Provincial/Delegates of English-Speaking Africa and Mozambique), which opened on 8th July and will continue until the 15th. The venue chosen for the meeting is Mukono, Uganda.

The participants also include the Assistant General in charge of Formation, the General Secretary for Formation, and two representatives of the superiors of the APDESAM provinces-circumscriptions. Welcoming the participants was the “host”, Fr Anthony Kibira, Provincial Superior of Uganda and APDESAM Coordinator for Formation, and Fr John Baptist Keraryo Opargiw, APDESAM Coordinator.

Father Anthony said he was delighted to have had the privilege of hosting the Assembly, a full five years after the last such meeting in Namugongo. He reminded us of the great responsibility-mission entrusted to us: that of accompanying our young people on their journey towards an encounter with God expressed in religious consecration and/or priestly ordination.

For his part, Father John Baptist invited all present to take an active part in the work of the Assembly: “The service we render in the field of formation is a noble and necessary task, but one fraught with challenges and difficulties. The context of today’s rapidly changing world and the perceived need for renewal, both personal and communal, are indeed clear calls for all of us to deepen our personal relationship with God as we honestly seek to become ‘saint and capable’, missionary disciples able to be ‘close witnesses’ rather than ‘distant teachers’ to our candidates in formation.

The agenda of the meeting includes moments of ongoing formation facilitated by the General Secretary for Formation, during which general information on the institute will be given and the inspirations that emerged from the 19th General Chapter will be re-proposed. This will be followed by a day of recollection and reflection on young people and vocational discernment in Africa today.

After this, each circumscription will present its report, seeking to highlight the ‘symptoms of illness’, the ‘signs of life’ and the concrete commitments made.

Brother John Baptist will offer a ‘flash back’ on the Namugongo 2018 assembly, highlighting the elements of continuity, making an evaluation of the past five years, and offering suggestions on the way forward. It will then be a time to formulate concrete proposals to the PDESAM with the aim of improving the quality of our ‘vocation and formation ministry’.

The last day will be devoted to the meeting of the APDESAM Council of Formation (i.e. the General Secretary of Formation, APDESAM Coordinator for Formation and all the Provincial Secretaries for Formation) in Layibi-Gulu.

The Assembly will conclude with the confreres’ participation in the priestly ordination of Deacon Dennis Kenyi Idro, in Gulu, on Saturday, 15th July 2023.