Dominican Studentate holds Annual Pastoral Conferences and Exposures Program

Br. John Paul R. Pamintuan, OP

The annual Pastoral Conferences and Exposures Program (PCEP) of the Dominican Studentate was held from June 9 to 22, 2025. The program consisted of various talks, seminars, and immersions focusing on key ministry areas and the needs of the Province, namely: Urban Poor, Care of Creation, Resource Management, Leadership and Administration, Local Mission, Guidance and Counseling, Campus Ministry, and a newly introduced program called Local Church Immersion.

Four brothers underwent their urban poor immersion at the Refinette Cosmetic Manufacturing Corporation, where they engaged in manual labor for two weeks while listening to the stories of their fellow workers.

In the Care of Creation exposure, seven brothers attended a talk by the Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department of Quezon City, where they learned about environmental protection and the city’s sustainability programs. They were also immersed in the Caleruega Retreat Center, where they received hands-on training in plant propagation, composting, and waste segregation.

Ten brothers participated in the Resource Management exposure, which included a series of talks on stewardship, human resource management, archiving, and financial management. Meanwhile, three brothers joined the Leadership and Administration exposure, learning about the challenges of running a school, a parish, and a hospital.

Five brothers were assigned to St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Companion Martyrs Parish in Dagat-dagatan, Navotas City, for their Local Mission exposure, while two brothers attended sessions under Guidance and Counseling, which covered basic counseling skills and spiritual direction.

The Campus Ministry exposure, involving three brothers, was hosted by Colegio de San Juan de Letran–Calamba. There, the brothers learned about the roles and responsibilities of the Campus Ministry and were also tasked with conducting a short recollection for school employees.

This year marked the launching of a new program called Local Church Immersion held at San Isidro Labrador Parish, Pinyahan, Quezon City. It was attended by eight of the most senior brothers in formation. The exposure aimed to immerse them in the life and administration of a local parish and inform them about the current challenges that the ministry presents.

Through these various exposure programs, the student-brothers were given opportunities to engage with the ministries of the Province and deepen their understanding through meaningful encounters with lay collaborators and local communities.