Digos holds conference on New Evangelization

Photo by Al Divinagracia

More than half of the Filipinos have popular devotions or religious practices such as praying the rosary, devotion to Sto. Niño, and Nazareno, among others.

These devotions, according to Bishop Guillermo Afable, D.D., Bishop of Digos, “with proper formation and education, can be our faith’s greatest treasure.”

This message was bared during the first Diocesan Conference on New Evangelization held in Digos City last August 16 to 18, 2019 at the Fatima Center, Mary Mediatrix Cathedral.

The event circled on the theme “Live and Share the Joy of the Gospel.”

The conference aimed to understand and appreciate New Evangelization; share and appreciate each other’s experiences on New Evangelization; establish mechanism for animation, formation and resource generation for New Evangelization; and, rekindle sense of Mission and resend forth disciples in New Evangelization with power, joy, and hope.

A total of 368 delegates from 29 parishes and mission stations, 16 Catholic schools, five lay faith communities and three religious congregations joined the conference. Delegates from Balut Island and Barangay Nuing in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental joined the event.

The delegates from far places were hosted by the parishioners of Digos.

The activities of the conference included praise and worship, animations, talks, sharing, and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

It included topics such as The Urgency of Evangelization delivered by Rev. Fr. Erick Parantar, DCD-Diocesan Youth Director, and Discipleship: Encountering the Trinity in Jesus given by Rev. Fr. Juan Macalisang, DCD-Vicar General.

It also included Integral Discipleship by Rev. Fr. Anselmo Forteza; The New Evangelization by Sr. Ma. Sofia Aldemita, ADM-Diocesan FLA Coordinator; Dialogue with Indigenous People and New Evangelization by Rev. Fr. Jomar Momo, DD-IPA Director/DCFC Asst. Director; and, Popular Devotion and New Evangelizaton by Most Rev. Guillermo D. Afable, D.D.

The closing mass was celebrated by Bishop Afable. In his homily, he reminded the delegates that the Church exists in order to evangelize and since they all members of the Church they are all missionaries, with the mission to evangelize such as to bring the Good News of God’s love and goodness to their families, to those in their respective parishes, GKKs, apostolates, schools and organizations. (SUGID SoCCom)