Bernard Holzer
Manila, July 2018

Letter to my Friends

Dear Friends,

Just a short notice to give you some news as I just celebrated my 70 years.

I passed this new step after a fifteen-day trip to Vietnam and during the annual retreat of the Assumptionists of the Philippines in Tagaytay. It is a day to thank God, my parents and my family, my brothers and sisters, and you my friends.

It's a new stage, an awaited moment, to pass the baton. Since July 1st, after 12 years as superior of the Adveniat community, the relay is taken by Cris, an ordained priest last May. Our two formation communities are now under the responsibility of Filipino brothers, both for animation and for finances.

Our community is becoming truly international with 6 Filipinos, 3 Vietnamese, 1 Guatemalan, 1 from Burkina Faso and myself.

In 18 months, on January 1st 2020, the Vicariate of Asia-Oceania will be in place. There too, the succession will be ensured. The coming months will be decisive in creating "a common soul and spirit" between the Assumptionists of Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines, not forgetting our two brothers from New Zealand, and giving new impetus to our collaborations. That will be one of my priorities.

But we have to keep also the relay in our different missions. Our Assumption Language College will celebrate its tenth (10th) Year Anniversary. The College, recognized and appreciated, is at a turning point: Should it be enlarged? Should we create subsidiaries in other Asian countries where our students come from (Vietnam, China, Indonesia...)? (See Facebook: Assumption Language College and www.alcmanila.com)

Bayard-Philippines continues to grow, but is looking for more competent local collaborators. (See Facebook: Bayard Assumption)

Kaloob, our NGO, needs to redefine its priorities. (See www.kaloob.ph)

I find myself in this paradoxical situation where I still have lots of dreams and projects when my age is advancing and the succession is not yet quite ready. I need to find a new balance in life, adapted to my age when I have the chance to live with young people in an international and intercultural context. It remains an exciting challenge because it deals with living together and with the world of tomorrow.

Thank you for your presence in my life, for the precious moments spent together, the sharings, the pleasant convivial times, the common prayer.

Please, forgive my impatience, my lack of listening, my judgments to the punch, my angers sometimes (but they do not last)...

Thank you for continuing the journey together and concentrating on the essentials: coming together, dialogue, sharing of what makes us live and grow, makes us more tender and more human.

With all my friendship, waiting to hear from you.

Well cordially,

Bernard.
bernardholzeraa@gmail.com

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