Dreams Woven Together: A New Claretian Generation Rises

Dear Brothers of the East Asia Delegation,

In this issue I want to share with you the experience of the student’s gathering in Hong Kong. Deep joy and encouragement filled our recent gathering with all seven of our students – including our new priest, Ian – in Tai O, Hong Kong. For me, it felt like a Chinese family's New Year gathering at the parents' home, a beautiful sense of belonging. I especially cherish the memory of us being together, like children of Mother Mary, in that little Tai O chapel. This was the first time our entire formation community gathered as one.

Simply living together, sharing our lives, and soaking in the unique joy of our Claretian brotherhood was a precious gift. It truly felt like building our family. Beyond this wonderful fellowship, our time had clear purpose: we worked to recentre our shared direction (like a GPS), making sure our mission is clear and checking if we need any adjustments for the journey ahead. We also looked back gratefully on the values we've learned and nurtured during our formation so far.

Importantly, we listened closely to each student's personal dreams and the goals they're setting for their lives of service. This helped everyone make clearer, more confident choices about the specializations they feel called to pursue. We thoughtfully considered how their future ordinations fit within East Asia's unique context and the vital work of building vibrant communities here. To keep the inner fire for this mission alive, we also shared practical tools for 'spiritual auditing' – simple ways to nurture and check the health of our own spiritual lives, ensuring we stay connected to God's grace.

Reflecting on the opening day's Gospel, where Jesus calls his disciples "Little Flock – do not be afraid," really touched us. Yes, we are small, and we might always be small in number. But as our beloved Fr. Rossa wisely said, we are "small enough to be different and large enough to make a difference." This is our call! We are salt, meant to add a divine touch to the world – not poured out all at once, which is too much, but used just right to bring out the best. We are light, meant to shine – not a harsh, blinding glare, but a warm, guiding glow that shows God's presence. Our smallness, when we trust God, lets us make the lives of those we serve a little sweeter, a little more divine, by sharing that heavenly perspective.

This gathering truly wove together our dreams and multiplied our shared joy. For our Delegation, it shines as a bright moment of hope. It gives us confidence that we are growing, moving forward, not standing still. Our students have sparked our imaginations and given us so many reasons to dream big! Without dreams, our spirit fades. So let us dream! Let us desire mightily! For a new generation of Claretians, shaped by East Asia and fired by the Spirit, is clearly rising among us, ready to carry our mission's flame into the future. Let's walk forward together, little flock, unafraid, trusting in Jesus our Lord, the One who called us.

In hope and shared mission,

Fr. Jijo Kandamkulathy, CMF                                                                     Delegation Superior