COMMUNICATIONS from the Bishop

No.  804      Diocese of Marbel, Philippines                               11 February 2015

1. 2015 DIOCESAN STRATEGIC PLAN: AN ORIENTATION

An orientation seminar on the 2015 – YEAR OF THE POOR – diocesan strategic plan took place 21 January 2015, Greenwoods, Brgy. Morales, Koronadal City.

 A. Who are the poor?

In general, any person in need of help.  In particular: marginalized workers, laborers, dysfunctional families, street children, children in conflict with the law, vulnerable groups.

 B. Responsible persons/groups

• Parish priests, commissioners, directors, chaplains, CM/RE ministers, schoolheads, catechists, Kriska alagads, GKK Officers, etc.
• Groups: COCF, COWL, COSA, PPC, PCOCF, PCOWL, PSAC, RO & Ms, CFC, DLC, SAC, F & LM, MEWS, CYM, etc.

C. Possible Programs for Implementation

(1) Thrust I: education/formation

a) Recruit, train, organize Team of Evangelizers (TOES). Topics: Human Dignity, Renewed Integral Evangelization, Basic Christian Community, Church, Sacred Scriptures (Bible), Christ, Mary, Sacraments, Social Teachings of the Church, Lay Spirituality.

b) Continuing education in the Faith: updates.

c) Seminars/lectures on: Faith, Laity, Poor (new).  Modules at DLC

d) Skills training/management skills

Modules on pastoral management, pastoral planning, simplified financial accounting, available at DLC.

e) Technical skills: entrepreneurship, IGP and employment opportunities.

• Electrical, mechanical, plumbing, welding, etc in partnership with TESDA, NGO, etc.
• Food processing, cooling, herbal medicines, etc. Some parishes have them already.

f) Formation for youth and children

• Strengthen the CYM/DYM
• Counseling, youth camp, crusade through music.

g) Family and Life

• Strengthen and expand MEWS
• Facilitate and expand Sons and Daughters Encounter (SADE)
• Create partnership with schools.

h) Formation in schools for youth and children

• Intensify catechetical instruction in schools, integrating the spirituality of the poor, in religion/values classes.
• Organize a Congress of Ministry in public schools.

i) Marginalized workers (seasonal, contractual, daily wage earners, “Kasambahay”, construction workers, working students, laborers, drivers, security guards, small fisherfolk, vendors, etc.

• Recollection with picnic (bring home pack of rice).
• Tap sponsors

j) Vulnerable groups like the LGBT, etc.

• Provide pastoral care, frank conversation, opportunities.
• Listen to and discern their needs.

k) Information Drive on Bangsamoro Basic Law

• Coordinate with SAC
• Integrate BBL during Board of Parish Representatives.

l) Political education for voters

• Recruit, train, organize volunteers
• Four Cs in choosing candidates for elective positions: credibility, competence, commitment to the common good and compassion for the poor (“malasakit”)

m) Awareness on Human Trafficking

• Information drive: parish to GKK level.
• Link/forge partnership with concerned agencies.

n) Care of the environment

• Intensify the poor’s involvement in caring for the environment
• Intensify campaign at the GKK level.
• Lectures on global warming, hazards of open-pit mining, coal-fired power plant, aerial spraying.
• Tree planting and tree growing
• Proper garbage disposal

Note:  mobilization when needed.

(2) Thrust 2: Liturgy

a) Continuing education/formation on the liturgy

• Seminars/lectures on fundamentals, sacraments and sacramental, lay participation, norms, music. Modules available at DLC.

b) Sacramental/spiritual programs

• Kasalan ng Bayan (Free)
• Baptism, confirmation, First Confession/Communion
• Anointing of the Sick and elderly within the Mass.
• Recollection in poor areas
• Morning prayers before the Mass, daily Mass and first Mass on Sunday
• Create new ministry, Ex. hospitality.

c) Family

• Revisit policies/procedures in liturgy, sacraments and sacramental concerning the family
• Mission sending of Family Ministers (entire family)

d) Urban poor

• Enhance their liturgical participation
• Recollection in remote areas.

e) Indigenous peoples

• Deepen their appreciation of the sacraments by integrating faith and culture
• Meaningful celebration of IP Sunday
• Recollection for the IPs
• Kriska sessions for the IPs

f) Prisoners

• Make priests available for their liturgical and spiritual needs.
• Meaningful celebration of Prisoners’ Awareness Sunday.

g) Youth

• Enhance youth participation in liturgical celebrations
• Initiate creative liturgy for the youth
• Organize Praise and Worship outside the Mass.

To be convtinued: Thrust 3: Social Action

Back to: 2015 COMMUNICATIONS from the Bishop