The Claretian brothers of ASCLA East held their first Brothers’ Gathering from July 24 to 30

in the Philippines to share the experience, challenges and aspirations of a Claretian brother’s vocation, to know the history of the Claretian brothers in the congregation, and to experience the Claretian mission in the Philippines. Br. Nicer Natulla CMF (Philippines) coordinated the event, attended by four other brothers: Br. Fujio Masakawa CMF (East Asia Japan), Br. Hironimus M. Ngampu CMF and Br. Paulus Yosan CMF (Indonesia-Timor Leste), and Br. Sid Ching CMF (East Asia); Sch. Soh Nagasaki CMF (East Asia Japan) also participated as translator. The Philippine Province hosted the gathering at the Claret Retreat House in Quezon City, and a day at the Claret House, Pansol, Calamba, Laguna.

Input on the Claretian Brother’s Identity was given by the Philippine Provincial Fr. Leo Dalmao CMF, History of Religious Life by Fr. Jonathan Bitoy CMF (ICLA), and Living the Claretian Charism by Sr. Jolanta Kafka, RMICM, Sr. Rizalyn Solitario RMICM and Sr. Agnes Dorado MC. The brothers visited the different ministries of the Claretians in Metro Manila: Claretian Publications( CCFI), Institute of Consecrated Life in Asia( ICLA) , Claret Urban Poor Apostolate( CUPA) and the Pastoral Care of the Sick at the National Orthopedic Center , where the hospital chaplain, Fr. Arnold Abelardo CMF, facilitated an afternoon of recollection. They also visited the different formation houses (college seminary, postulancy, and theology house) and shared with the students.

At the end of the gathering, the brothers prepared a statement they plan to present to respective major institutes of ASCLA East. And to continually strengthen their Claretian vocation as brothers and for mutual encouragement, they propose to hold another Brothers’ Gathering, possibly in September 2013 in Indonesia.