Tagaytay City—The Ecospirituality Center of the SVD Laudato Si' Farm became the venue for the annual Asia-Pacific (ASPAC) Zonal Meeting last September 25 to 30, 2023, bringing together the mission secretaries of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) from across the ASPAC Zone.
This gathering, hosted by the SVD Farm, brought to the forefront critical discussions on mission work, sustainability, and the ongoing challenges faced by the region.
The ASPAC Zone of SVD encompasses 19 provinces and regions in the Asia-Pacific area, and the ASPAC Zonal Meeting serves as a platform to reflect on and formulate strategies to address the issues affecting the mission work of SVD in the area. Mission secretaries from the three subzones of the ASPAC Zone attended this year’s meeting at the SVD Farm.
The week-long ASPAC Zonal Meeting commenced at the last September 25, 2023, with mission secretaries from the various ASPAC Subzones arriving in the Philippines. The secretaries were warmly welcomed by SVD lay mission partners and accompanied on their way to the SVD Farm, the venue of the event.
Upon their arrival at the SVD Farm, the ASPAC mission secretaries embarked on a tour of the Farm, exploring its facilities and farm production areas. The tour was led by Rev. Fr. Severo “Jong” Biton, Jr., SVD, Vice Rector of Divine Word Seminary Tagaytay (DWST) and Director of the SVD Postulancy, along with SVD Farm personnel and members of the SVD Tagaytay Community.
After their tour, the group indulged in wood-fired oven pizzas from the Pizzeria de Pugon and enjoyed healthy drinks from the SVD Cafe.
Finally, they bookended the day with a dinner and welcome soiree at the Farm’s Ecospirituality Center at 7:00 PM.
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The second day of the meeting, on September 26, 2023 began with an opening prayer, followed by thought-provoking talks by distinguished SVD figures.
Rev. Fr. Antonio Pernia, SVD, former Superior General of SVD, presented on "The Role and Future of the SVD Mission Secretary." Later, Rev. Fr. Stanislaus Lazar, SVD, addressed the assembly on "Our SVD Mission Charism in Light of the 19th General Chapter."
The day also featured group discussions and agenda-setting sessions, culminating in a Holy Mass presided over by Rev. Fr. Jerome Marquez, SVD, President of the SVD Board of Trustees and Provincial Superior of the SVD Philippine Central Province.
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The third day of the meeting, on September 27, 2023, featured comprehensive reports from the SVD Indian Subzone in the morning and from the SVD Indonesian Subzone in the afternoon.
The day concluded with a spiritually uplifting Holy Mass presided over by Rev. Fr. Agerico "Jerry" Orbos, SVD.
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The fourth day of the event, September 28, 2023, witnessed the last round of reports from the SVD Philippine Subzone (with Japan, Vietnam, and South Korea). The afternoon featured a plenary discussion centered around the topic "Fostering SVD-Laity Mission Partnership."
In the evening, Rev. Fr. Albert Ziem, SVD, presided over the Holy Mass at the Divine Word Institute of Mission Studies (DWIMS) Chapel.
Afterwards, the attendees reveled in a delightful dinner soiree at the DWIMS dining area, to inspire camaraderie and shared purpose.
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The fifth day of the event, September 29, 2023, the mission secretaries convened for a plenary discussion on "Fostering Sharing and Synergy among Mission Secretaries."
In the afternoon, the delegates enjoyed an excursion in the picturesque landscapes of Cavite.
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The last day of the event, September 30, 2023, featured the Holy Mass presided over by Rev. Fr. Severo “Jong” Biton, Jr., SVD, during which the attendees shared their optimism for the mission work of SVD in Asia and the Pacific.
As they share breakfast at the Divine Word Seminary Tagaytay (DWST), they bid farewell, knowing that the spirit of the SVD Farm will forever be in their hearts even as they go home and continue their work for the mission.
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In an interview, Rev. Fr. Jose Angel Castellanos, SVD, mission secretary from the China Province SVD mission area, said that the ASPAC Zonal Meeting is an opportunity for ASPAC mission secretaries such as him to share the progress of mission at their respective areas. "One of our biggest challenges is raising awareness of the mission as we work with lay partners together to take care of mission," he said.
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Finally, the ASPAC Zonal Meeting came to a close on September 30, 2023, with a Holy Mass presided over by Fr. Jong. The Holy Mass was followed by a heartfelt breakfast at the Divine Word Seminary Tagaytay (DWST).
As the meeting drew to an end, delegates bid their farewells, departing with renewed commitment and strengthened bonds to continue their vital mission work across the ASPAC Zone. The ASPAC Zonal Meeting at the SVD Farm not only provided a platform for the exchange of ideas and strategies but also reinforced the SVD's unwavering dedication to addressing the challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region.
Read more about the ASPAC Zone through the link below:
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📞 0905-106-5499
📧 contact@svdlaudatosifarmfoundation.org.