Opening Session of Congregational Conference 2023.

Opening Session of Congregational Conference 2023.

The afternoon was quite calm with a clear sky and good weather, but it was raining when we were celebrating the Eucharistic celebration to open our Con-Con. According to our culture, getting rain during the event is a good sign for a fruitful and successful meeting. We open our Congregational Conference by having a Eucharistic prayer service prepared by Bro. Valentinus Daru Setiaji and led by Reverence Fr. Robert SVD. The Eucharistic celebration was attended by some brothers from Semarang, Ambarawa, Klaten, Bandungan, and Salatiga, about 30 brothers. The venue of our Con-Con is in Rumah Khalwat Roncalli, Salatiga, Indonesia. At the beginning of the Eucharistic prayer service Bro.  Valentinus lead us to the candle lighting as a sign of our faith and love for God by all Provincial Superiors, the Superior of the Religious House of The Netherlands, and the General Superior. We are grateful to God that finally, we can have this very important event. We are grateful for this fraternal meeting where we will walk together as brothers during these days, a wonderful opportunity that God gives us to share, celebrate, and enrich our experiences, but above all, a meeting of a family of brothers. In his homily, Fr. Robert SVD reminded us that we are happy because we are meaningful to others and make others happy, not first of all, looking for our own happiness.

After Eucharistic, we continue with a welcoming address by the Provincial Superior of FIC Indonesia province. At his welcome address, Bro. Frans Dwiyatno mentioned that our Congregational Conference is an opportunity to deepen the conclusion of our Con-Con 2022 in Ghana. Through this meeting, we hope to learn from the shared experiences of each other as well as discuss pertinent issues that are central to our lives as Brothers FIC and on the theme “Authority and Governance.” He also hoped that by deepening the theme of our Con-Con, “Authority and Governance,” we could learn from each other in carrying out our leadership ministry as provincial and religious house leaders. He believed that some of the policies and deepening of last year’s Congregational Conference would bring a new perspective to running our leadership ministry.

Meanwhile Bro. Augustine, as General Superior, at his opening address, stressed the theme of our Con-Con 2023, “Authority and Governance.”  “The call to a task of “Authority and Governance” is a call to serve others. Our Constitution (49) acknowledges the need for leadership in the congregation. Our fellow Brothers gave us the mandate to lead them in the Spirit of Jesus, who said of himself that he had not come “to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28). Pope Francis says, ”For leadership, there is only one road: service. There is no other way. If you have many qualities, the ability to communicate, etc., but you are not a servant, your leadership will fail, it is useless, it has no power to gather (people, your brothers) together…Leadership must enter into service with a personal love for the people” we are called to lead.” He also said that a synodal leadership style is an all-inclusive and button-up leadership. As spiritual leaders, a life of deep faith and constant prayer is required for us. We are called to save our souls by acts of faith and god works. We are also called to help others save their souls and to be a reason why the poor and needy praise God for His kindness and goodness to them. Trusting in the maternal prayerful support of Mother Mary, the Patroness of our Congregation, he not only declares our conference open but wishes it a great success. 

We have supper with our fellow brothers at 18.15, followed by practical matters at 19.00. Bro. Valentinus, our coordinator of this meeting, explained practicalities during the Con-Con. He gave detailed information about it and was very clear to each participant. We have our first recreation at 21.00 in the recreation room of the staff of Rumah Khalwat Roncalli in Salatiga. We informally relate to each other to get too close to us. 

Reported by:

Bro. Theo Riyanto