August 31, 2008 in News

First AMRSP-IPs Convention

The First AMRSP National Assembly of Religious Men and Women who are involved in Indigenous Peoples’ Apostolate is a brainchild of Sr Emelina Villegas, ICM and Sr Emma Fondevilla, FMM. The idea has dawned as a follow-up activity after the 26th ECIP National Convention held in Cagayan de Oro, on May 5-9, 2008 in which the two of them were part of the delegates. This was supported by 11 religious, representing 8 congregations in the said ECIP Convention.

For this assembly, the group agreed on the following objectives:
1. To share on the urgent issues of the IPs and their responses and that of the Church and other groups.
2. To reflect on the impact of the involvement of the religious wit the IPs and vice-versa.
3. To understand better the deep aspiration of the IPs as a basis for a continuing dialogue of life and service
4. To plan the formation of AMRSP-IP Desk.

For more details, please read the following conceptual framework.

AMRSP
Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines
28 Acacia Street, New Manila, 1112 Quezon City
Tels: 724-4434 & 448-5644 Fax: 725-3478 e-mail amrspsec@pldtdsl.net

6 June 2006
To All Major Religious Men & Women Superiors With Indigenous Peoples Apostolate

COMMUNICATION CONCERNING THE FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF ALL RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN INDIGENOUS PEOPLES APOSTOLATES

Dear sisters and Brothers in the AMRSMP/AMRSWP:

Peace and All Good!

Pursuant to the desire of AMRSP to affirm and support the initiatives and endeavors of men and women religious communities working with Indigenous Peoples, including those who are presently collaborating with the Episcopal Commission on Indigenous Peoples of CBCP and other IP-related groups, the AMRSP Board convened the first consultation meeting on 20th October 2007 at St. Anthony’s Building, Aurora Blvd., Cubao, Quezon City. Two men and twenty women religious from 16 congregations, and 2 lay mission partners participated in this meeting.

The objectives of the first consultation meeting were as follows:
1. To share experiences and to surface needs and concerns related to the IP Apostolate
2. To be informed of the present organizational set-up and programs of the CBCP-ECIP
3. To explore AMRSP’s specific role in orienting IP Apostolates work towards reclaiming our own indigenous heritage and spirituality and sharing this especially with our mission partners and priority mission groups
4. To identify areas of collaboration and possibilities for networking in view of forging solidarity among AMRSP member congregations
5. To make concrete suggestions and recommendations to the Joint Board of the AMRSP

In this meeting the following AMRSP-related expectations and recommendations were surfaced:

A. Expectations:
> Explore the possibility of establishing an AMRSP-IP desk
> Define specific mission of AMRSP for the IP
> Strengthen AMRSP collaboration on IP apostolate
> Establish better tie ups / collaboration / complimentarity with ECIP
> Learn about IP work, listen to efforts that has been done for the IP’s by congregations

B. Recommendations:
> Establish coordination between ECIP & AMRSP
> Strengthen collaboration among congregations (AMRSP level)
* National gathering of church IP workers for leveling off
* AMRSP Desk ? Committee to speak on behalf of IP’s on certain issues
* AMRSP to give direction to constituents to collaborate with IP programs of dioceses
* Mutual sharing / exchange of experiences, programs, services, resources
> Suggestion to ECIP – Invite representatives of congregations to participate in IP conventions

In this consultation meeting Fr. Rod Salazar, SVD, the National Secretary of ECIP shared the ECIP Organization and Programs. In his presentation, it was interesting to note that the ECIP-IPA Directions includes the mandate to:

Establish formal linkages with groups that have programs with IPs e.g. AMRSP, congregations, church mandated organizations and other groups with the same orientation.

As a follow-up of the October 2007 consultation meeting, Sr. Emelina Villegas, ICM and Sr. Emma Fondevilla, FMM attended the 26th ECIP National Convention held in Cagayan de Oro, on May 5-9, 2008. During a break in the convention proper, 11 religious, representing 8 congregations, met and agreed to present to the AMRSP Board plan to hold the First AMRSP National Assembly of Religious Men and Women involved in IPA.

For this assembly, the group agreed on the following objectives:
1. To share on the urgent issues of the IPs and their responses and that of the church and other groups.
2. To reflect on the impact of the involvement of the religious wit the IPs and vice-versa.
3. To understand better the deep aspiration of the IPs as a basis for a continuing dialogue of life and service
4. To plan the formation of AMRSP-IP Desk.

In connection with the above, we are inviting to this assembly man and women religious who are presently working directly with Indigenous Peoples. It will be held in the St. Paul Seminar House, Bonbon, Cagayan de Oro, on SEPTEMBER 28-30, 2008 (3 full days). This is a self-funded activity. Just like the IPs we wish to be self-reliant. All participants will shoulder their own travel expenses plus Ps.2,000.00 to pay for board and lodging which include the supper on September 27 and the breakfast on October 1, and other miscellaneous expenses.

Here is the general program for the three days which we will try to develop as we flow with the discussion, reflection and prayer. Each participant will come prepared for the sharing.

Day 1 – opening liturgy, orientation, sharing of IP issue and responses

Day 2 – personal reflection and sharing on the experiences of dialogue of life-mutual learnings and animation Cultural evening

Day 3 – Culling out IPs perception of themselves, their dreams, aspiration and strengthening religious commitment. Planning for AMRSP-IP Desk

Srs. Bing, Elvie, Salota volunteered to prepare the opening liturgy, on the second day c/o Srs. Lourdes and Anita plus volunteer participants and on the third day c/o Srs. Aristea and Janet plus volunteer participants.

It will make our gathering colorful if you bring along handicrafts of the IPs for “barter” and other materials for the cultural evenings. You might also like to share some readings, videos, work of art or anything creative.

From the airport of Cagayan de Oro, you can get a taxi to St. Paul’s Seminar House. If you are coming from Manila or from the Visayas, it might be good to get the afternoon flight so that you can have a “taxi pool”. The place is by the beach but we do not know how safe the water is at that time of the year.

We look forward to your participation in this general assembly towards a more focused and meaningful collaboration in our mission with the Indigenous Peoples.

May we request the Major Superiors to provide their representative/s with a copy of this letter. Thanks again.

Sincerely yours,

SR. EMELINA VILLEGAS, ICM SR. EMMA FONDEVILLA, FMM
AMRSWP Board Member AMRSWP Alternate Board Member

SR. MARY JOHN MANANZAN, OSB FR. JHESS MALIT, SSS
AMRSWP Chairperson AMRSMP Chairperson