This is the weekly "Oasis News" of Silsilah Dialogue Movement for our friends and linkages printed also to a local newspaper of Zamboanga City (Mindanao, Philippines). It is our way to maintain the LINK (Silsilah) with you. You can find this news and the previous Oasis News in our official site www.silsilahdialogue.com. Feel free to publish this news if you find it relevant. We appreciate your comments and suggestions. Thanks.

4th Week -November 23, 2011

Renewing the Commitment for Dialogue and Peace

Members, alumni and friends of Silsilah Dialogue Movement coming from different parts of Philippines gathered on a 3-day event for the Renewal of Commitment for Dialogue and Peace on November 18 – 20, 2011 at Oasis of Dialogue Training Center, Harmony Village, Pitogo, Sinunuc, Zamboanga city.

The Renewal of Commitment is an annual activity of the movement for members, alumni and friends of Silsilah to renew their commitment for dialogue and peace as a “style of life” that covers one’s dialogue with God, with the self, with others, and with the creation. The Renewal of Commitment, with the theme, “Padayon the Silsilah Dialogue as Love in Action, Silence and Harmony” focused on the importance of the application of the culture of dialogue in the present realities like misunderstanding, violence, differences and the like, which are faced by the society. It encourages everyone to bring the spirit of Silsilah in the family, school, government and be the tool in the promotion of peaceful coexistence among people of different religions and cultures.

The event started with a group activity in which the participants answered a questionnaire. They were asked about their different expectations and intentions in joining the event.  After the sharing, they gave their different welcome presentations as part of the opening ceremony.  In the afternoon, the coordinator of the formation program, Ms. Visitacion S. Emmanuel gave the first session “reflection, deepening and workshop on the theme Padayon the Silsilah Dialogue as love in action, silence and harmony”. It was then followed by sharing of individual reflections among participants regarding the topic.

The night ended by a film viewing of two different documentaries: the Youth for Dialogue and Peace, a documentary of the Silsilah Solidarity Youth Camp and Concilium Vaticanum II (The Vatican II Council), a documentary about the fundamental turning point for the Catholic church. These films synthesized the entire learning of the day which is to believe in a certain advocacy and to do it with all sincerity and heart. These films helped the participants to understand the importance of renewing their commitment for dialogue and peace.

The founder of Silsilah Dialogue Movement, Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME gave the second session on the morning of second day. He talked about reflection and deepening on the death of Fr. Salvatore and the challenge to live and promote dialogue and peace. Fr. Salvatore died in the name of promotion of dialogue and peace in the summer of 1992. The talk of Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra painted how difficult it is to promote peace in the midst of diversity and violence, but this must not hinder us to continue the cry for peace.  The challenge inspired everyone to work for peace and to do their own effort to live harmoniously with one another.  The session was followed by a workshop in which the participants were grouped to share their individual idea on the violence in Mindanao. The groups shared about their different experiences in violence and how the spirit of Silsilah helped them survived these challenges.  The third session of the Renewal of Commitment was given by the president of Silsilah Dialogue Movement, Aminda E. Saño. She talked about the 25^th Anniversary of Emmaus Community Reflection and deepening on “lay consecrated life and the challenge to encourage Emmaus and Muslimah spirit. She talked about how Emmaus Community was started 25 years ago and who can become part of the community. She also explained that the doors of Emmaus is also open to males and married females to be part of Emmaus Circle and as well as the existence of Muslimah, a group of Muslim women who lives the teachings of the Holy Qur’an with the spirit of dialogue. The session was followed by a round table sharing with Emmaus Community, Emmaus Circle and Muslimah. The second day ended with a solidarity night in which the participants shared their talents and different group performances like dance and song presentations.

Members, Friends, Alumni and Staff of Silsilah affixing their signature as they renew their commitment for dialogue and peace.

In the last day of the gathering, the participants wrote their individual commitment inside the illustration of their hands on a piece of paper. They committed to bring the spirit of Silsilah in their respective communities and in everything they do. They promised to continue to live the culture of dialogue and to value the relationship they have with God, with their self, with others and the creation. The ceremony was then followed by a closing program which was attended by the participants of the Renewal of Commitment along with different friends, guests, youth, community leaders and alumni of Silsilah who joined the last day of the 3-day activity. Guest speakers gave their testimonies and challenges to the audience that they must actively participate in peace building and to be continuously in dialogue with one another.  The renewal of commitment is a manifestation that people who were touched by the spirit of Silsilah will never get tired to believe that dialogue is important to one’s life and to the bigger society as a whole.