The meeting of the Formation Forum was held on 19th December at the provincialate, Nagamangalam. The meeting began with a half an hour of adoration. Fr. Santhiyagu, the Councilor (Formation) wholeheartedly welcomed the members of the forum. All the points in the agenda were discussed, including evaluating the Formation programs in our province for the past three years. We discussed and critically evaluated the programs beginning with the vocation promotion through each stage of formation in the minor seminary to on-going formation of priests. We analyzed and evaluated from academic and pastoral point of view the success and failures of the programs that are offered at present in our various seminaries.

We also had objective discussion about how the Forum has executed the action-plan of the last Provincial Congress and what we can do best for the future. The meeting was indeed a time of critical appraisal of the activities and the formation programs in our province. The members made valuable suggestions for the betterment. As it was the last meeting of the present Forum, the members thanked and congratulated Fr. Santhiyagu for his active leadership as the convener of the forum and the Councilor in-charge of formation. Fr. Santhiyagu expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to all the Forum members for their cooperation and support. With a prayer, the meeting came to an end at 12:30 pm.

Fr. D. Jayakumar, msfs