Remembering the beginnings of BECs

(Excerpt of Archbishop Romulo G. Valles’ homily during the opening Mass of the 4th BEC National Assembly in San Pedro Cathedral on November 11, 2019 at 5:00 P.M.)

These days the diocese of Mati, Tagum and Davao are continuing our campaign for help that we bring to the suffering earthquake victims in the dioceses of Digos and Kidapawan.

And I am very certain that our campaign for help goes through the parishes and down through our BECs reaching our people in the far corners of our dioceses. From packs of rice, canned goods, coffee sticks, dried fish, money for tents, powdered milk and gallons of drinking water, truckloads of relief goods have been sent to the people of Digos and Kidapawan and more will be sent still. Talk about serving and shepherding character of our BECs.

A week ago, I went to the Diocese of Digos and Kidapawan to see for myself what the situation is. Indeed, the situation is bad, sad and bleak. Bishop Bagaforo met me and together with the Parish Priest of the quasi parish Quisante in the town of Makilala, he brought me to a number of evacuation camps. One of these was a small cluster of evacuee families, maybe 25 to 30 families belonging to one BEC or GKK.

Bishop Bagaforo described this as one of the big number of out of the way, less served or not served at all evacuee families. They were camped on an open grassy area away from the highway, meaning it is an interior location. While talking with the families who met and welcomed us, a man talked to me at the side, while they were talking he was kind half-whispering to me, telling me of his gratitude to the Lord that no one among them was injured or killed.

And he requested me to follow him and see what he got in his family’s makeshift shelter and there he showed me on a makeshift altar the statues of the Sto. Nino, of Our Lady of Fatima and of San Isidro Labrador. And while recounting to me how he took these statues from the BEC chapel before it totally collapsed, tears were in his eyes.

He did not ask me if we were bringing theme more rice, food stuff or tents, or any monetary help for the rebuilding of their houses. At that moment, I felt that what he cared for most was to share with me his faith experience. He is convinced that the Lord is present for them and with them during this very difficult times. What strong faith these people have. And I am confident to add and say, these people’s faith is greatly sustained and nourished by the life they shared together in their BECs.