Reporting from Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) in Vietnam: Mid-Sexennial Meeting Asia Oceania
Four days of work over and the confreres of Asia Oceania at the Mid-Sexennial Meeting in Saigon took a day to rest on the feast of All Saints. Some chose to rest in the house and visit the city, other went to visit the Chu Chi tunnels which represent the bitter war between the Viet Cong and the Americans and most went to the excursion to the seaside town of Vung Tao to visit the famous statue of the Saviour and another of Our Blessed Mother and relax at the seaside.
The Meeting has been progressing well with the reports and discussion on the Directory for Partnership for mission presented by Roxan de la Torre and Portia, the Directories of Superiors and Chapter, the Plan for Community Living and the Manual for Bursars. The CARP Commission’s draft for the Apostolic and Restructuring Plan has assumed the central aspect of this meeting with wide discussions, sharing, and the need to reedit the Plan. This will be presented later this evening (Saturday 2nd November). Further presentations today will be on the Brothers Commission and the Alphonsian Academy.
After a day of break and rest the confreres and lay partners are ready to resume sharing and discussions to reach consensus on the Apostolic and Restructuring Plan.
Fr. Ivel Mendanha, C.Ss.R.
