Digos Holds Diocesan Fellowship of the Laity and Clergy

Once again, a group of faithful come together for their annual solidarity day in line with the week-long celebration of the National Laity Week. September 29 was a rare Saturday for Digos National High School because hundreds came to join said event and gathered at the school gymnasium. The theme: “The Laity in Solidarity with the clergy and consecrated persons towards social transformation” was at the center of the whole day activities.

The activity started at 8 AM for registration. An hour after, a celebration of the Holy Eucharist followed and it was presided by Rev. Fr. Kristian Peter Edwin Dorilag, DCD, the Rector of St. John Paul II Seminary in Digos City. He was joined by Rev. Fr. Anselmo Forteza DCD, the assistant parish priest of Sto. Nino Parish in Magsaysay.

During the homily which was given by Fr. Anselmo, he started by asking if anybody in the gym have seen an angel? That has got everyone chuckling. He followed by asking what is everyone’s thought about the characteristics of an angel. This time he introduced the three angels mentioned in the Bible. He started introducing St. Gabriel who serves as the messenger for God to certain people who in the Old Testament appeared before prophet Daniel to explain his visions. He is described as “one who looks like a man”. In the New Testament, he appeared before Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist and announced that his wife will bear a son. He is described as an angel of the Lord who brings good news. Then Fr. Anselmo talked further this time about St. Raphael whose name means God heals. He restored Tobit’s vision, allowing him to see the light of heaven. And lastly, he tackled about St. Michael the Archangel whose feast being celebrated today. He described him as the leader of all the angels in God’s army. Today, St. Michael is invoked for protection. He is the patron of soldiers, police and doctors. After introducing these angels, Fr. Anselmo then proceeded to ask the laity to look around the room and see if there is an angel they see. Again to the chuckling of those present. This time he said that if we become messengers of good news, if we know how to forgive and live a life free of hatred and anger, and if we live strong enough to drive the evils and distractions in life away then we are living the life of an angel. He closes his homily by asking the same question; Have you seen an angel in this room?

A short program was held after the mass hosted by Mr. & Mrs. Paul & Emmy Torreon of the Couples For Christ (CFC). The different ministries in attendance were the Covenant Communities of Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement, the CFCs, the CMMs (Confraternity of Mary Mediatrix), the Oblates of St. Benedict (OSB), the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI) and the laykos from Sta. Cruz, Guihing, Sulop, Kiblawan, Bansalan, Basiawan, San Isidro Labrador in Digos City and Mary Mediatrix Cathedral also in Digos City.

The guest speaker Mr. James Solano, a CFC International Council member, talked about the roles of every Layko in their respective GKKs. He emphasized that Laykos and Clergy should work together to evangelize, to set good examples to the community where they live and to unite with the Bishops and priests in daily prayer and penance. This way, we are helping in the transformation of the social world. (Blaze Q. Cantaros, SJP SoCCom, Sta. Cruz)