25 August 2008

WHAT ABOUT THE STATISTICS? In recent weeks I have visited the novitiate at Lipa, various houses of formation in the Delegation of India and spent time with Brothers in temporary vows in Thailand and India . I attended a Vows Chapter where five Brothers submitted their application for Final Vows in India . I have had conversations with Brothers directly involved in vocations ministry while very mindful that all have a responsibility to foster vocations to the Brothers' life and other forms of Lasallian vocation. Inevitably, conversations on vocations come around to numbers and there would not be one Vocations Director in the Institute who has not been asked the question; “How many candidates do you have for next year?” or words to that effect. A common answer given has been; “its not the numbers but the quality that we are looking for” Of course we want “quality” candidates and our screening procedures and initial formation programmes attend to that but we should not be afraid to talk numbers! Rule 141 quotes St John Baptist de La Salle ; “The need for this Institute is very great” and the in the same article the Rule goes on to say; “The young, the poor, the world and the Church still need the ministry of the Brothers.”

There some sector heads in PARC who actually give Vocations Directors targets for recruiting candidates. What is your target? Let's hope targets are achieved but even if not, the very fact that we promote actively vocations is an indicator that we believe in the great value and identity of the vocation of the Brother and other Lasallian vocations in the Church. (David Hawke FSC)

Br. Ingo Amalgam, Vocation Director – India .

This year the Delegation of India is very much blessed to have 3 full time Vocation Promoters. Last year I was able to recruit 18 new candidates to our formation houses.  Since we three are involved in vocation ministry I hope we can recruit more boys to our formation houses. We three joined together and prepared an annual plan for Tamil Nadu and Andhra. We have a plan to launch out to other states this year.

Last month I visited 18 schools in 3 dioceses. I addressed the boys and narrated them about our congregation and our mission. Thanks to all the previous vocation promoters. Their constant visits made the people to know about us. 

Since it was raining in some places I had a tough time in traveling. I was stranded in a particular village for two days because of incessant rain. In fact, my vehicle was heavily damaged.

I will shortly commence my second tour to other dioceses.

Br. Anbu's (Vocation Promoter) Repots:

I have begun my first ministry and that is promotion of vocation. Though I am inexperienced I have an ardent zeal in my heart that I will plunge into action.  I foresee a good result in my vocation promotion.

I started my vocation trip on July. During the last two months I visited almost 26 schools and a few parishes in four dioceses. It is difficult and hard for me at the same time I learn a lot. I have good and bad feelings during my vocation trip but I take it everything as an experience.  That allows me to go forward towards my mission.  Now I have learned to accept and love my mission.  

When I went for vocation trip I came to know a lot of things about students and parents idea towards Brotherhood.  In this modern world getting vocation is difficult but I am sure that if I show good example and values to them, they are ready to follow and serve the poor.

Br. Thambi – Vocation Promoter (Andhra Pradesh) – Reports:

Sailing through and against the wind. It is my windfall to open these words to express my feelings of vocation expedition. It is a bilingual experience; like wind favoring and restraining me to sail through some places.

I discovered that, this wind shut me one door and opening the other. I sometimes return with smile on face and music on my lips and some times the opposite. It is an experience rubbing the shoulders with the diocesans, the religious and the multitude of teachers, who are in way some sort support and back – up and sometimes spill cold water on my scheme.

It is different experience of traveling on the boat, crowded autos, buses sometimes facing minor accidents yet I am delighted, cheerful and my spirit is high to do fishing out. I can do more for who strengthens me. As per as my experience over two months I am sanguine of getting some students from the soil of Andhra Pradesh.

VOCATIONS PROJECT UPDATE – 19/8/08 : DISTRICT AUSNZPNG

Since the campaign launch on May 13 th there has been extensive media coverage through the PR activities and approaching14, 000 hits to the website. Media monitoring identified 120 news related articles linked to the vocations campaign.

Direct Response from the target group (males 18- 40yrs)

Keep in mind that the pool of eligible Catholic males aged 18 -35 yrs in Aus & NZ is relatively small.

Evaluation: The website, PR campaign and the Vocations Expo have been effective initial strategies to raise awareness and promote the DLS vocation. However, despite the efforts of Agent99, we had minimal media coverage in youth related media (eg FM radio, youth publications) mainly because we could not feature any applicants or young Brothers.

Challenge: Reaching the target - the faithful, the purposeful and the disillusioned males aged 18-35yrs. Where can we speak to them and how? What are their media and internet habits?

What are we up to at the moment? Addressing the challenge!

May your ministry continue to bear fruit.

David Hawke FSC