INSTITUTE OF FORMATION

FONDACIO ASIA (IFFAsia)

School of Discipleship-Mission

INFORMATION KIT

IFFAsia Info Kit Dec 10

 “Behold I make all things new” (Rev 21:5)

T he changing ‟signs of the times‟ challenge us to actively renew the

community—through a proactive response. Through the youth and laity, the
Church has an opportunity to respond to mission needs in new ways that are
appropriate to the local community. To effectively undertake this response,
the agents of change need relevant training—personal-social-pastoral
knowledge, skills and attitudes—that empower them to bring fresh
perspectives to emerging social realities.

The Institute of Formation, Fondacio Asia (IFFAsia) established in May 2006,

seeks to support the mission of local Churches and communities to respond
to local needs. IFFAsia forms young leaders with a community and
missionary spirituality for the renewal of the Asian Church and society.

Students
Year 2009-2010

IFFAsia welcomes young adults and potential leaders in their early

20’s to mid 30’s. A maximum of only 25 students will be
accepted for the 10 month live-in formation. Classes begin from
June to March. Candidates must have a college degree or at least
completed high school, with 2-3 years of work experience. They
must have had some involvement or service in the local Church or
Society as this is helpful in the formation process. IFFAsia gives
priority to those coming from newly emerging Churches and
communities in need.

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 INTEGRATED APPROACH
IFFAsia proposes an integral and holistic approach to formation which includes
various currents of formation in the Church and Society. Our focus is discipleship-
mission.

Human Spiritual Social Pastoral

Formation Formation Development Formation
Taking the Understanding and Experience and Equipping person
existential path of growing in understand the with necessary
self-discovery, Christian faith, challenges of the tools and skills to
growth, healing scripture, times through be effective workers
and transformation traditions and exposure/ and leaders.
in the context of a respect for other immersion, critical
living Community. faiths and cultures. analysis and
integration of faith
& life.

Human & Spiritual Module

Foundation of
Self-Discovery Relationship
Faith

Christian Community Evangelisation

Mission
Oriented
Discipleship

Emergence of Agents of Renewal

the Person and Witness in Asian Context

Mission
Holistic
Integral Community
Development Pastoral Skills
Formation
Understanding Understanding
(society, culture, Communication
religion)
Church

Social & Pastoral Module

IFFAsia Info Kit Dec 10 3

 LIFE AT IFFAsia
The whole formation process is facilitated through the community life of
students and staff. It is a learning community where everyone is in a process
of growth and transformation. The methodology is cognitive, experiential
and participatory. A formation team will accompany students in their
progress.

Lectures Practicum
Theology classes Integration will be comple-
and in-house mented by exposure / immer-
formation help to sion and pastoral work. This
deepen the faith will lead to mission prepara-
formation and tion in the last semester.
make the connec-
tion with their
lived experiences. Prayer, Solitude &
Variety of faculty
and resource Retreats
persons brings a Students will be
rich experience of helped to develop an
ideas and inner life through
approaches. daily and communi-
tarian prayer, weekly
integration of lived
Community Life experience, times of
Through prayer, Accompaniment Journey solitude and retreats.
service, recreation
and other activi- Spiritual Directors,
ties, the students Counsellors and Companions
learn to grow in are available to every student,
respect, trust, to ensure integration of faith
leadership and and life and to work through
fraternal love. life issues during the year.

OPEN SESSIONS
Some sessions will be open to the public:
 Enneagram (August)  Youth Ministry (January)
 Faith Walk (November)  Facilitation Skills (February)

ENGLISH LANGUAGE
All students are required to begin English classes in their home countries and to
have an average command of English. Those who are weak in English must join
the Intensive English classes held in May every year at IFFAsia.

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 YOUR COMMITMENT
COST OF FORMATION
The subsidised amount of fees is
US$300 per month or US$3,000
for the 10-months or US$3,300 for
11 months (including English).
This covers food, lodging, tuition
and formation expenses. Those
coming from difficult situations
can request for scholarships
which IFFAsia will try to make
available. However, the student
and Sending Organisation have to
provide airfare, visa and pocket
money. Estimated amount for the
pocket money will come to a
minimum of US$30—50 per
month and for the visa an addi-
tional US$700 in the Philippines.
Upon acceptance of the student, a
registration fee of US$200 should
be sent ahead. (This will be con-
sidered part payment for visa
expenses).
Letter of Agreement
Upon acceptance, the Student, the
Sending Organisation and IFFAsia
will sign a Letter of Agreement
outlining each one‟s mutual
responsibility during the year and for
the Post-Formation accompaniment
(PFA) process on the ground
for 2 years.
IFFAsia Info Kit Dec 10
SPONSORSHIP
Each student is encouraged to find
some family members, friends and
parishioners who can pray for him/
her, give moral support and concrete
assistance. This „community of fam-
ily and friends‟ can commit to jour-
ney in faith with the student, through
prayer, exchange of news and some
financial help during the year.
Sponsorship when lived in faith is
often a turning point or conversion
for students and sponsors in their
relationship to money and enhances
their trust in God. We will continue to
initiate and support the students in
the grace of sponsorship.
POST-FORMATION
ACCOMPANIMENT
After the year of formation, students
commit to serve at least two-(2)years
in their local community either part-
time or full time. During this two-
year period IFFAsia will accompany
the students through a post-
formation program, monitoring and
evaluation, and ensure they have
sufficient pastoral support in the mis-
sion field. At the end of the 2 year
service period IFFAsia will conduct
an evaluation of students leading to a
discernment retreat to help them in
their life orientation and mission.
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 LAITY IN MISSION (LiM) Program

As part of its vision to provide on-going formation for laity, IFFAsia is developing
on an experimental basis an upgrading and support system for laity in various
services and ministries. Over 3 years, lay persons are encouraged to take up on a
part time basis a specialized area of formation or studies together with community
life, spirituality, accompaniment and service.

PROGRAM OUTLINE

INTEGRATION PHASE
- PERSONAL and COMMUNITY

 Initiation and Transition

 Introduction to the Program
 Fondacio Spirituality and Mission
 Initiation to a Christian Community
 Discipleship Program 1: Human &
Spiritual Awareness

LEADERSHIP(PASTORAL) PHASE

 Discipleship Program 2: Pastoral Skills

Training and Enhancements
 Leadership and Community Management
 Personal Management

MISSION PREPAREDNESS PHASE

 Mission Spirituality and Formation

 Asian Spirituality
 Sponsorship and Fund Raising
 Project Proposal Writing
 Specialized Studies in Particular Fields

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 STUDENT TESTIMONIES

The formation provides existential foundations

 To prepare oneself to take initiatives for the challenges of the Church & society
 To understand the mission in relation to the world, religions and cultures
 To live the Christian community life and spirituality of Fondacio
 To understand man from the aspect of Christian anthropology
 To build one’s life on the faith in Jesus Christ—Spiritual Growth.

Over the past years, all the students from 8 countries have gone back to serve
their local communities; and 90% are serving full time.

I want to continue to serve Before I only thought of what I

because my passion is here with
the youth… I see their needs,
their struggles, especially when I
work on the ground with them.
I am not into a big thing, but I
want to journey with them, into
their daily lives. just to listen to
them, to talk with them, not to
advice, not to mother or to be
teacher to them, but a friend.
Working as a young lay leader
today is very challenging and it
will need lots of commitment
and time, but it also is a blessing
to see our youth grow, to see
hope in them.”
Lucy, Malaysia
2006-07
wanted to do and never stopped
to think about what others need.
I never thought of showing
gratitude for the chance I have
to live life. Through some visits
to slum areas and the 3 months
at IFFAsia, I am learning to love
everyone. I would like to pay
more attention to those who are
disadvantaged lonely and give
them more strength, organize
them to take part in all sorts of
social activities, take them out of
the emptiness of their soul, so
that they will once again feel
God‟s Love.
Duan Ran, China
2009-10

IFFAsia Info Kit Dec 10 7


“My encounter with Jesus led
me to the Institute of Forma-
tion. My biggest challenge is to
let go of the Nina that I used to
know and to live in the here
and now. I am slowly learning
how to feel again, to let the real
me live, become a real follower
of Christ.”
Nina Chan,
Malaysia,
2008-09
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“Catholics are a small minority in
my country. When I went home
after formation, youth ministry in
my diocese was not organised yet.
The challenge I faced initially was
to work alone. At that time, I felt
very heavy burden. Then I found
many people who were willing to
give me the support… Each time I
begin helping others, they in turn
are willing to help me. There are
times when I don‟t know what to do
and before I could even plan, they
had already planned successfully. I
really want to continue. I see my
fruits and what I have become so
far. I need to persevere so that I can
become even more fruitful. Now it
is just starting. I feel that I am
called to do more, to serve and to
discover. How can I do to fulfil my
dream? ... If I give up who will be
the hope? Now I try to build the
new generation, the new ones who
can continue.”
Lattana, Laos, 2006-07
 I am in the BEC team working as an animator. This
is very new in my diocese and we targeted two
parishes as a pilot project. We give 3 formation
modules to the communities before we organize
them. I am now going into the Family renewal
program for BECS., which covers 5 topics. Working
in the BEC is a way for me to discover more the
realities and know my community.

I also accompany youth and conduct personal and spiritual formation ses-
sions for them. This is the first time I give formation to youth. We start
with whatever we have and use it well. I see this as a way to expand our
mission in the field. What I am doing is helping to grow our communities
into one community. I want to live in the present and that means being
disciplined to be with God and to become his disciple.

Peter, Myanmar, 2007-08

IFFAsia Info Kit Dec 10 9

 WHAT BENEFICIARIES SAY…

“I am thankful for the three young women from our province that you
have trained in your institute in the Philippines. They are now serving the
dioceses. I also appreciate the assistance you have provided us in the
evangelization camps the previous year. As you know China is in a time
of transition and the Church has to upgrade and renew itself to be relevant
to the people and situation of today.”
Bishop Stephanus, China

“A recurring need of youth ministry has been in the formation of its

animators and leaders. IFFAsia aims to answer this need. We wish to
recommend IFFAsia as a partner in building up the local church in Asia.”
Bishop Rolando Tria Tirona, OCD, DD
Prelature of Infanta, Philippines.
Chairman FABC—OLF - Youth

”On my part, I have no hesitancy to recommend wholeheartedly such an

Institute. I have known the members of Fondacio for the past years and can
vouch for their commitment and devotedness as lay leaders.”
Archbishop Charles Bo, SDB
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar

The interaction within a community forms the heart first before the head.
The experience of community is an on-going formation that helps prune
the young to become stronger and prepares them for situations of crisis. I
am happy to see that the formation at IFFAsia emphasizes this aspect.
Bishop Joel Baylon
Diocese of Masbate, Philippines

“We raised youth workers not only within the structures of youth ministry
but produced workers in the area of social development”
Carol, Fondacio Myanmar

“Being the first full time youth worker in the diocese, she is the linking
person between the hierarchy and youth”
Bishop Ling, Laos

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 “The two students who returned are …more confident and comfortable in
their mission, clear development of Youth Ministry, good impact on the
youth in the parishes”
Fr. Bruno, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

“The students from Laos who followed the formation at IFFAsia are able to
use their knowledge to implement formation programs for the youth. They
are becoming role models for the young and the bishops are happy with
their contribution.”
Sr. Jesse, DC
Diocese of Vientiane, Laos

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board consists of a Bishop Chairman, 2 priests and 4 lay persons with
experiences in formation, pastoral and social work in Asian countries.

IN-HOUSE FORMATION TEAM

The in-house formation is conducted by a team of 6 facilitators, majority of

whom have done post graduate studies. Their skills are continuously
upgraded through regular programs during the year.

PARTNERS and COLLABORATORS

 St. Vincent School of Theology  Asian Social Institute (ASI)

(SVST)
 Centre for Family Ministry
(CEFAM)
 National Secretariat for Social
Action, Justice & Peace (NASSA)
 Philippine Educational Theatre
Association (PETA)
 Bukal Ng Tipan Retreat Center
 Center for Ignatian Spirituality
(CIS)
 East Asian Pastoral Institute
( EAPI)
 Religious congregations and
others.

IFFAsia Info Kit Dec 10 11

 Fondacio—Christians for the world is an international
association of the lay at the service of the world.
It has pontifical recognition and is present in more than
20 countries. Fondacio is Catholic and ecumenical and
works with youth, professionals, couples and families,
the elderly and marginalized to bring hope and renewal.

The Apostolic Project of Fondacio

 To propose the Good News to men and women of today
 To contribute to the construction of a more humane society
 To call and form workers for the Kingdom
 To contribute to the growth and renewal of the Church

For Application forms and enquiries, please contact:

Institute of Formation, Fondacio Asia

(IFFAsia)
Little Lamb Compound,
St. Martin St. Rosalia Village 2
Tandang Sora, Quezon City 1116, Philippines
Tel: +63-2-937-3681
Email: ifa.fondacio@gmail.com
Web : www.fondacio.org
Blog: http://fondacio-asia.blogspot.com

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