DMII Seeks Spiritual Upliftment Thru Mission Thrusts

MATI CITY–The Daughters of Mary Immaculate International (DMII) from ten DMII circles of the diocese of Mati sat together for their 7th Diocesan Assembly on February 21-22, 2014 at the Tesda Hall in Lupon, Davao Oriental, to discuss ways and means of strengthening their five(5) Mission Thrusts as their special contribution for the spiritual upliftment of the lay faithful, particularly women, during this Year of the Laity. This was spelled out in their theme that was the keynote speech delivered by Fr. Pedrito Mapayo, DCM – “DMII: Living in Faith, Hope and Integrity, Serving with Love and Charity for Spiritual Upliftment of Women in the Year of the Laity.” Fr. Mapayo, current Clergy House in-charge, used many quotations and life-examples from Pope Francis “whose poverty like St. Francis of Assisi and humility and work for social change, including the equality of men and women can radically transform a sinful society through metanoia or change of heart of men and especially women who are missionary-oriented and generously share their gifts and talents to build up the Church.” In this light, four speakers gave further light on the first four DMII Mission Thrusts as also approved by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP): 1- Pro-Life Mission Thrust – elucidated by Fr. Edito Baño, DCM, episcopal vicar and parish priest of San Pedro Ferrer Church – as maka-Diyos, maka-tao, maka-buhay, maka-pamilya, maka-kalikasan,maka-pobre, all these to help bring families to a better quality of life. 2- Morality in Media Mission Thrust – expounded by Sr. Marietta Alo, OND, CMN Mati Program Director – to equip the members with the required knowledge and skills to promote good and wholesome media, and to network with other groups such as the Catholic Radio and TV for good media campaign. 3- Upliftment of Women Workers Mission Thrust – illustrated by Sis Sarah Gudez of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office representing Sis Mayor Tina Yu – through actual reaching out to abused women and children and the work of the Reception Study and Diagnostic Center, also a rape crisis center. 4- Assistance to the Prisoners Families & Their Victims Mission Thrust – justifiably explained by Atty. Alejandro Aquino in stressing charity and compassion in dealings with prisoners, aside from free legal aid. The presence of young ladies in white – the “Squirettes of Mary” who portrayed the invocation prayer, served to represent a 5th thrust for Youth Welfare. The Daughters of Mary Immaculate International is an association of Catholic women pledged to the service of God and country; historically beginning in Connecticut, but formally organized in the Philippines since 1951 in Manila, with more circles subsequently organized throughout the country, including the Mindanao region, but the word “international” was appended due to its international identity. In the Diocese of Mati, DMII activities are supervised by diocesan regent Sis. Virginia David and Director Fr. Ricardo Siblos, DCM.