From October 31 to November 12, 2016, the International Course for Formators and Vocation Promoters of the Order organized by General Formation Commission took place in Batu-Malang, Indonesia. Fifty formators and vocation promoters, from eighteen countries took part.
The two-week course was centered on the theme: “Walk with us: Growing in the contemplative dimension of life,” (RIVC #10). A number of experts in the Order were invited to speak on the theme of contemplation. Fr. Berthold Anton Pareira (Indo) spoke on the Sacred Scriptures as the Source of Contemplation; Fr. Michael Plattig (Ger) spoke of Contemplation in the Carmelite Tradition; Fr. Quinn Conners (PCM) gave two conferences on the themes, Ability to Give Love and Give of Oneself, and The Capacity for Responsible Care and Stewardship Expressed in “Service in the Midst of the People.” Fr. Desiderio Garcia Martinez (ACV) gave two conferences on the themes, Accompanying Formandi in a Multi-Cultural Community in Growing into Contemplation, and Accompanying Simple Professed Formandi in Growing into Contemplation in the Midst of Technology Influx. During the meeting, two vocation promoters were also asked to share their experience of formation promotio: Br. Daryl Moresco (PCM) spoke about the Theological dimension of Vocation Promotion while Fr. Irvin Mangmang (Phil) spoke on the Practice and Experience of Vocation Promotion. All the conferences were in the morning while the afternoons were spent in the practice of contemplative prayers.
Fr. Benny Phang Khong Wing, General Councilor for Formation and Fr. Noel Rosas, Administrative Secretary for Formation shared the success of the course with the collaborators: Fr. Raul Maraví, the General Councilor for the Americas as Spanish simultaneous translator during the course, Fr. Edison Tinambunan (Indo) and his team for the local organization, Fr Ignasius Budiono (Indo), the Provincial of Indonesia for hosting and great support, the Carmelite student friars, and all the benefactors and people working behind the scene. All the participants departed hopeful and with renewed spirit.
