San Pablo vicariate held Year of Parish training

One hundred leaders and formators from the vicariate of San Pablo gathered at the Mother of Mercy Formation Center, Magtuod, Ma-a, for the Formation Training on the CBCP’s Year of the Parish as Communion of Communities last April 29, 2017.

“In order to build up communion for mission and mission for communion, every member’s unique charism needs to be acknowledged,” said Fr. Ritsche J. Gamaya in his input. Fr. Gamaya, the station manager of DXGN Spirit FM is the keynote speaker of the said formation facilitated by Vicky Estoque, Pastoral Coordinator of the Archdiocese of Davao.

The formation was also attended by respective priests of participating parishes: Bishop George Rimando, parish priest of San Pablo Parish, along with Parochial Vicars Frs. Zenon Ampong and Leomel Puerto, Fr. Leonardo Dublan Jr., parish priest of the Ascension of the Lord Parish; Fr. Dexter Veloso, parish priest of the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish; Fr. Emmanuel Gonzaga, parish priest of the Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, along with his parochial vicar Fr. Loreto Bastasa; Fr. Joel Caasi, parish priest of San Isidro Labrador Parish; and Fr. Jupiter Morales.

Abp. Romulo G. Valles also dropped by and shared a message on the Synodal Church: “Walking and journeying together is the true nature of the church,” said Abp. Valles.

To express their gratitude for the success of the whole day formation, the Holy Eucharist was celebrated by Bishop Rimando along with the priests in attendance.

“I am so happy of our success, and we led the way gathering in formation the key leaders and formators of our vicariate along with the parish priest. We are looking forward for more formations so that others will follow,” said Bishop Rimando.

It is being hoped that these leaders will cascade the information that they got to their respective parishes and Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs).

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has declared 2017 as the Year of the Parish as Communion of Communities. Every baptized Catholic is enjoined to become agents of communion, participation and mission with active participation to faith communities, lay organizations, movements and associations. (Vonz Hijada | OLLP SoCCom)