DADITAMA BEC ‘Heaven on Earth’

On earth as it is in heaven – God’s children in communion with one another.

This is the story of our lives. On this part of the earth, every moment is a chance for joy. Every minute, a step in the journey for salvation. Every day, the privilege of sharing the light of Christ through our Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC).

The Reverend Father Karl Rahner, towards the end of his life, declared that lay people “answers to a need to rediscover the Church and, in a sense, to re-enter and renew her from below.” This is the story of our lives, the story of our people, of our Basic Ecclesial Communities.

COMMUNION
Our BEC life is a picture of true communion. It is about give and take.

All sides come together to talk things over. Opinions are respected. Formation, sacraments, membership policies and plans for celebrations are set after due consultation and deliberation. People offer their own ideas to make things better. The annual Flores de Mayo is abloom with good examples: local businesses taking turns in donating snacks for the kids, children offering cups of rice of flowers. Through moments of sadness and bliss, one can expect heartfelt, spontaneous, creative acts of goodness from proud BEC members.

WORSHIPPING
Our BEC life means all of us pray together as one. Holy Mass is celebrated with regularity. Kasaulogan sa Pulong or Liturgy of the Word even when a priest is not around has become the center of Sunday life in far-flung rural areas. The praying of the Holy Rosary is a shared experience, essential to the spiritual bonding and growth of our communities.

TEACHING
Our BEC life is the space where lessons of faith are taught with enthusiasm. Catechetical instruction is done every week before the Liturgy of the Word. We have an ever-growing group of BEC Formators who conduct trainings like Basic Social Teachings of the Church. We have seen a significant increase in the number of catechist volunteers who keep alive and well the tradition of Flores de Mayo.

SERVING
Our BEC life provides us with a platform to serve each other. The unexpected scourge of Typhoon Pablo opened our hearts and minds to the necessity of mindful disaster response and risk management. We have organized BEC Emergency Response Teams for better-coordinated relief efforts in times of crisis. The medical practitioners among us come together every month to conduct free medical and dental check-ups for the less fortunate around us.

CLERICAL LEADERSHIP
Our BEC life is enriched by the meaningful participation our clergy. Apart from celebrating the Holy Mass, priests give seminars and recollections, join in family celebrations, conduct sick calls, provide spiritual comfort at all times. These servant-leaders are with the people through good times and bad.

LAY LEADERSHIP
Our BEC life leads us to embrace servant-leadership. Youth camps and other regular team activities provide the younger generation with the opportunity to develop a sense of service, the ability to listen, and the capacity to share their talents with others. Through seminars and workshops,
adults are constantly encouraged to hone and strengthen their capacity to serve and lead, for the greater glory of God.

BEST PRACTICES
Our BEC life is a world filled with ways to help improve our communities. To lift people out of poverty is a challenge facing the country for years. We are doing our share through initiatives like the Food Bank for the Poor: mass offerings like rice and canned goods are made available to the less fortunate. Our economically-disadvantaged BEC members can avail of loans from Banko sa Kabus, a micro-lending venture. For the unemployed, a candle-making project allows them to learn a craft for livelihood. Their products are immediately sold to parishes, assuring them of a steady source of income. To be part of Basic Ecclesial Communities is a way of life here in Davao, Digos, Tagum, Mati. As one of our bishops, the late Most Reverend Joseph Regan once said, Basic Ecclesial Communities “are all well-organized and can really take care of themselves. They are quite strong and united; they take care of their own problems. I think that’s the best thing we did.”

We hope we are doing Bishop Regan proud. Our Basic Ecclesial Communities now and forever in communion with God through one another. Every moment. Every minute. Every day. A vision of heaven here on earth. (Juojou Into | Vicky Anghag – Consultants)