(ANS – Lysterfield) – Following on from the meeting of EAO Provincials and Formation Delegates, the EAO delegates and some of their team members met at the Salesian Spirituality Centre at Lysterfield, on the outskirts of Melbourne, from November 25^th to 29^th. They engaged in team-building activities.

The EAO meeting of formation teams involves formators from across the region - at least representatives from each province. The focus of the seminar was having a ‘Formation Team’ in each province. This is providing formation as a team, Formation Delegate or the Rector working with all personnel in formation community as a team.

Participants, who numbered approximately 30, were treated to a wide variety of inputs and spent time discussing amongst themselves as well. They heard from key formation personnel in the Region (the regional moderator is Fr Francis Gustilo), including Fr Frank Moloney, Fr Peter Rankin of Australia-Pacific Province, and also listened with interest to a Jesuit formator who spoke to them about formation structures in the Jesuit Asia-Pacific Region. Participants were struck as much by the similarities as by the differences.

Fr Chrys Saldanha, from the Formation Department in Rome, also contributed. He focused on the team building aspects of formation communities in the province and in the region.

Wednesday 27th November was an opportunity to do a little team-building amongst the group, and they spent the day visiting a number of places around Melbourne City, including St Patrick's Cathedral - and the Melbourne Zoo! But a highlight of the day was a brief luncheon visit to the Province Centre in inner city Ascot Vale where they were warmly welcomed by the Provincial, Fr Greg Chambers.

Published 03/12/2013