Asia Oceania Conference, October 14-October 23, 2013, Balanga, Bataan, the Philippines
Provincials and provincial/delegation councilors from Indonesia, India, Korea and Papua New Guinea gathered along with Sister Mary Kristin, Sister Maria Alcidia, Sister Mary Sreeja and Sister Marie Emma from the general government at Stella Maris Retreat Center, Balanga, Bataan, the Philippines from October 14 to October 23, 2013 to share and network together. Twenty-three sisters participated in the conference. The last day it was a great joy for all to participate in the First Profession of Sr. Maria Grace from China, Sr. Maria Charito and Sr. Rose Marie from the Philippines.
The first day of the conference opened with an address by Sister Mary Kristin followed by an opening Mass celebrated by the Bishop of Balanga diocese, Bishop Rupert O Santos. The next day Father Edgar Javier, SVD, our keynote speaker presented a two day workshop which focused on missiology. Father shared many of his experiences as a missionary on several Pacific islands and on Papua New Guinea. The following days were filled with presentations by Sister Mary Kristin, Sreeja and Emma and presentations by each of the participating units. The outcome of the conference was solid plans for more collaborative endeavors which will materialize over the next four years. Participants agreed to hold the next Asia Oceania Conference in 2017.
After a hard-working week of meetings the participants along with the local community members of Stella Maris Retreat Center enjoyed a day out exploring the province of Bataan. Most participants were also able to enjoy a tour of Manila before leaving for their home countries.
All expressed much gratitude to Sister Maria Elisa, Sister Petra and Sister Linda Maria who staff Stella Maris Retreat Center for their gracious hospitality. Thanks also was expressed for the hard work of Sister Julia and Sister Monika and the novices of the International Novitiate for the many services they provided before during and after the conference.
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