Year of the Parish

As we head for the anniversary of the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines, we cannot help but wonder, how far have we grown in our spiritual development? In this year of the parish, let us inspect particularly our unity as a Church.

By this time, every baptized Catholic should have matured in brotherly love and with it, a strong sense of oneness with the Church in her mission and life. Regretfully, Filipino Catholics fall short of this ideal. Therefore, what ought to be done to counteract the slide? So far, we are already addressing the issue. Changes are being made and in time it will impact the Church in a profound way. In the year of mercy, for example, the issues that divide us were resolved in favour of mercy.

Homosexuality continued to be shunned but the homosexual is recognized as a faithful, not an outcast. In the year of the Filipino family, the importance of the family was acknowledged as critical point in designing pastoral programs that, before, usually focus on the B.E.C. We are going back to the basics. At the center is the Eucharist, the loving mercy of God, the Filipino family’s inspiration and parish communion celebration. That is the convergence of unity and Church’s life. The Eucharistic celebration becomes the concrete manifestation of families united into a parish and being one with the Catholic Church.

Still, much can be done. Evangelization of families, and consequently, the evangelization of individual persons must be realized. Conversion of, not just leaders, but of every soul needs to be won. Personal conversion was a prerequisite back when apostles were evangelizing, before baptism. This tradition has been neglected and should be returned in place. Another tradition lost in transition is the fellowship of believers. One of the hallmark teachings of Christianity that toppled the Roman Empire was the universal brotherhood of man. There was no exclusion, any gender or class bias: each man was a brother in Christ. Parish simply means “family”. There was concern for the general welfare of the Church because each member felt a genuine sense of belongingness. Involvement (participation, cooperation, submission) came naturally out of selfless love for God and one another. (Rev. Fr. Allan Joie Nuñez)