The Provincial Conference in Indonesia

The 2024 Provincial Conference meeting, which is a meeting of Provincial Leaders, the Daily Council, and Leaders of Regional Communities/Houses/Formations, took place from 19 to 24 February 2024 at Panti Semadi Ratna Miriam, Malino.

Nineteen participants attended this meeting. The meeting began with a Eucharistic Celebration led by Fr Samuel Maranresy MSC, Provincial Superior of MSC Indonesia. It continued with a reflection, guided by Fr Hendrikus Nyong Wawo MSC, who invited participants to explore the spirit and charism of Fr Jules Chevalier (Founding Father) through his writings, using the Communal Discernment method. This reflection was placed in the context of the 200th anniversary of Fr Chevalier’s birth (15 March 2024) and, at the same time, invited the participants of the DPL meeting to move from ego to eco (thinking and acting congregationally) as the ideal of the Founding Father “Let the Sacred Heart of Jesus be loved throughout the world”.

The Provincial Superior officially opened the meeting with the DPL participants’ roll call and the meeting officers’ ratification. After the Provincial Superior read out the agenda of the 2024 DPL meeting, he handed over the mandate to lead the sessions to Fr Teodorus La Edi MSC and Fr Marselinus Subi MSC as moderators.

The meeting discussed topics such as the report of the Province’s journey during 2023 (which included the committees) by the Provincial Superior and the reports of the Regional Community/House/Formation Superiors on the implementation and evaluation of the results of the Tomohon 2023 Chapter and the 2023 Provincial Assembly meeting, as well as the map of personnel and works in each Regional Community/House/Formation. Also discussed were the draft Provincial Formation Guidelines by the Formation Committee, the draft Provincial Work Guidelines by the Work Committee, Administrative and Secretarial matters by the Provincial Secretary, the 2023 financial report and the proposal for 2024 by the Provincial Treasurer.

This year’s meeting also provided particular time for the Provincial Superior to discuss several important life topics and work with the Regional/Home/Formation Community Leaders. The meeting then discussed mutations. This part of the meeting was conducted in a congregational spirit with an eye to priorities. In addition, several other matters were discussed in the Varia, namely: reviewing the decisions and recommendations of the 2023 Tomohon Chapter and the 2023 DPL meeting, the construction of the Provincial House, information about the Protocol for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults, Agung Sedayu Group’s offer for MSC to manage the school in Pantai Indah Kapuk-Jakara and the 2024 Calendar. The meeting produced several statements, recommendations and decisions that will be implemented during 2024 both at the Provincial level and Regional/Home/Formation communities.

On Saturday, 24 February 2024, the Provincial Superior, Fr. Samuel Maranresy MSC, officially closed the conference, which was followed by a Eucharistic celebration led by the Vice-Provincial Superior, Fr. Ignatius F. Wong Sani Saliwardaya MSC, at Ratna Miriam Samadi Home Chapel, Malino. The following day, the participants had mass with the parishioners of Mamajang, followed by a city tour and meeting with Archbishop Mgr Francis Nipa in the evening.

Joseph Harbelubun, msc