Former seminarians to contribute their knowledge and skills

Think tank responds to question “How can we continue to collaborate with one’s own Alma Mater?" raised by Fr Joseph Kristanto Suratman, executive secretary of the Seminaries Commission of the Bishops’ Conference. Proposals target major and minor seminaries.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) – The Association of the Good Shepherd (Paguyuban Gembala Utama, PGU) is an organisation of graduates from Church-run schools in Indonesia. Its goal is to contribute to vocational programmes offered in Indonesian seminaries and help seminarians face the challenges of modern society.

Several months ago, during a meeting with former classmates from the St Peter Canisius Minor Seminary in Mertoyudan (Magelang, Central Java), Fr Joseph Kristanto Suratman, executive secretary of the Seminaries Commission (Komisi Seminari) of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Indonesia (KWI), asked "How can we continue to collaborate with one’s own Alma Mater?"

PGU accepted the challenge. To answer the question, Basuki Ismael, one of Fr Suratman’s former classmate, set up a think tank under Johannes Wasisa, which came up with several proposals.

Fr Suratman shared them with the participants in the national gathering of the rectors of major seminaries held in Muntilan (Central Java) at the end of July.

"Everyone was happy to get the proposals to develop the personal and professional skills of Indonesia’s seminarians," Fr Suratman told AsiaNews.

"What we need from PGU is its strong network of knowledgeable and skilled professionals to help students in major seminaries to meet modern challenges in terms of communication skills, emotional management and leadership."

In view of this, a three-day workshop will be held in Ambarawa (Central Java) next year, which the PGU will organise and run in cooperation with the Bishops’ Conference.

Minor seminaries can also rely on PGU support. Two days ago, Intony Yuswanto gave a lecture on study methodologies (pictured), attended by 107 students from the Stella Maris seminary in Bogor (West Java). The aim of the initiative was to provide the tools needed to better organise ideas and thoughts, better understand the content of books, and identify issues more quickly and effectively.

Starting next month, similar activities will also be held in other schools, like the St Vincent de Paul Minor Seminary in Garum (East Java) and the St Paul Minor Seminary in Palembang (South Sumatra).

• indonesia
• catholic church
• seminaries
• education
• training
• students