My Experience at the 2025 Core Leadership Workshop and Congregational Conference

Bro. Gasper Kalisto

Participating in the 2025 Core Leadership Workshop and Congregational Conference was a deeply enriching and memorable experience for me. As this was my first international congregational meeting and my first time serving on the Joint Secretariat, I approached it with excitement, humility, and a strong desire to learn. From the very beginning, the environment was filled with warmth and brotherly love. My fellow brothers welcomed me wholeheartedly, fostering a sense of unity, openness, and belonging that made the entire experience truly special.

The atmosphere throughout the workshop and conference was inspiring, reflective, and collaborative. It provided an ideal setting for genuine sharing and meaningful dialogue. We dedicated quality time to discussing and exchanging ideas on how to strengthen communication—among individual brothers, between provinces, and within the congregation as a whole. The discussions were guided by one of the key themes of the 36th General Chapter Resolutions, particularly Resolution 8, which emphasises the promotion of communication within our congregation. By sharing experiences from different provinces, we explored ways to improve the flow of information and foster better mutual understanding. Together, we proposed practical strategies that, when implemented, will help us become more informed, connected, and effective as a global FIC family.

Reflecting on these conversations, I was profoundly reminded of the wisdom in our FIC Constitutions, Article 21, which states: "If we intend to set up our apostolate in a thorough and effective way, this requires of us, among other things, that we should be well-informed about contemporary spiritual trends and needs, and about the conditions in the countries and places where we work." This article resonated deeply with our discussions. It highlights that authentic apostolic effectiveness relies on being well-informed and well-connected—a call for us to communicate better, listen with depth, and share knowledge and experiences openly. Communication is thus not merely an administrative tool but an essential expression of our mission and fraternity.

The insights from Bro. Nee Wayoe Bertrand were particularly valuable in helping us discern the essence of communication—not just as a means of exchanging information but as a way of fostering genuine understanding and efficiency. His initiatives challenged us to think beyond making communication merely effective to making it efficient, ensuring that what we share genuinely builds communion and strengthens the life of the congregation. His reflections invited us to view communication as both a spiritual and practical responsibility, rooted in attentiveness, empathy, and accountability.

Serving at the Joint Secretariat offered me a unique perspective on the workings of such a significant event. It provided a closer look into the administrative and organisational aspects of such an important gathering. Performing secretarial duties helped deepen my appreciation for teamwork, attention to detail, and the spirit of service that sustains our brotherhood. The conference was an eye-opener and a space for both professional and spiritual growth. I commend the General Council for their excellent facilitation and thoughtful organisation of this international gathering. The sessions were well-structured, interactive, and spiritually enriching. They reminded me that communication, when carried out with love, sincerity, and a spirit of fraternity, becomes a true reflection of our vocation as Brothers FIC.

As I return to Malawi from the conference, I carry with me a renewed commitment to promote open, honest, and compassionate communication within my province and across the congregation. I am convinced that when we intentionally share information, listen to one another, and remain connected as one family, we not only strengthen our internationality but also bear living witness to our charism and mission as religious brothers—to make God’s love visible through simplicity, unity, and brotherhood.

(Bro. Gasper Kalisto is a member of Limbe-Mary View community, Malawi)