4,000 PREX Grads Gather in Davao

‘How-to-Preach’ lectures emphasized on confab

CHRIST and Mary as stars of new evangelization in this church of the poor, summarizes this year’s line-up of talks as Parish Renewal Experience (PREX)-Davao host the 13th Parish Renewal Experience (PREX) National Convention.

The conference which commenced with a motorcade and program at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) last April 17 will end today. The last talk entitled, “We are all called to proclaim the Gospel,” puts into life John 15:11, as NAAPS President Couple Kuya Manny and Ate Abel Gaite wants all participants to become “spirit-filled evangelizers with the courage to proclaim the newness of the Gospel with boldness in every time and place…”

This is the 2nd time that Mindanao will be hosting this kind of conference. “First time dito sa Davao. In 2000, sa GenSan ang 11th convention…ang among mga speakers piling-pili, mostly mga archbishops, bishops at saka mga pari na galing sa National Association of Parish PREX Secretariat (NAPPS),” says Davao Archdiocesan Association of Parish PREX Secretariat (DAAPPS) Ate Le Chu Tan.

Ate Tan expressed her hopes earlier, that with the P200 registration fee for a three-day event, the spirit of generosity from sponsors and supporters would greatly manifest. As one among the pioneering graduates of PREX-Lagao, she brought the 1st PREX seminar to Davao particularly at the Sacred Heart Parish in Calinan 15 years back.

Speakers include Archbishop Romulo G. Valles, , Fr. Albert E. Alejo, S.J., Most Rev. Antonio R. Tobias, D.D., Rev. Frs. Arnel F. Recinto and Ramon Ramos, CP, Most Rev. Gilbert A. Garcera, D.D., Rev Msgr. Bartolome Santos.

Parish Local Preparation

AS of this writing, the diocese of Novaliches topped the delegation’s list. To ensure that Davao can also send many participants to this national affair, other parishes called back its members again. Others conducted another batch of PREX seminar.

The seventh batch of the PREX of the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Bangkal produced 24 new graduates last April 12, 2015, during the Feast of the Divine Mercy. The three-day PREX seminar enriched their hearts as OLLP PREX Steering Committee Assistant Coordinator Kuya Al Rabanez confirmed, “for a parishioner is enlightened whenever he or she hears about PREX; for PREX is life in Bangkal”. Among the graduates who are already qualified to join the national conference are: Parish Worship Coordinator Ate Marilyn Lallen (elected as Batch President); PSA Ate Thelma Bernasor (elected Vice-President), Kuya Roy Christopher Escalante (Secretary); and Kuya Jesus Gabriel Cabanilla (Treasurer).

“PREX seminar must be availed by all Catholics as it strengthens personal weaknesses, and helps us persevere in all of life’s challenges,” said Ate Marilyn.

“In PREX, we learned that Jesus is always in our life; so we must trust in him always and pray to him all our burdens in life,” added Ate Thelma.

All graduates promised to actively participate in the GKK as they were all inspired by John 12:26, “Whoever wants to serve me, let him follow me, and wherever I am, there shall my servant be also.” (Scan interview transcripts: DavaoCatholicHeraldOfficial FB) (Cheryl A. Vilog and Vonz Hijada)