ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI PARISH HELD FORMATION CONFERENCE

Last April 8-10, 2014 the Parish Pastoral Council of the newly erected St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Rizal, Santiago City, Isabela went to the Franciscan San Damiano Integration House, Baguio City for a 3-day Formation Conference. The said formation conference aimed to strengthen the leadership and commitment of all the parish leaders.

The first part of the conference was facilitated by Fr. Vonci Del Mundo, OFM, the parish priest. He gave an input concerning the effects of the Transition: from being a Quasi-Parish to a Parish; from being administered by the La Salette Missionaries, then by the Diocesan Priests and now by the Franciscan Friars. Fr. Vonci invited the leaders to undergo a spiritual reflection by looking into the ministry of Jesus as he challenged the ways the Pharisees and Scribes or the Religious leaders lead the flock during his time.

The theme of the conference was: "Transition: Boon or Bane? and The New Wineskin, The New Cloth and the New Wine". The Second part of the Conference focused on the Strategic Planning and the Formation of the Minister. It was facilitated by Fr. Chris Tibong, OFM.

The group also watched the film "Brother Sun and Sister Moon" to introduce to the leaders the life of St. Francis of Assisi. After watching the film, most of them cried and were inspired about the life of St. Francis of Assisi.

After the formation conference the group toured around Baguio City and had their lunch at the Little Flower Convent of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Concepcion.

Contributed by Fr. Vonci Del Mundo, OFM