Davao marks National Bible Week

Obrero Parish celebrates National Bible Week

Every year the National Bible Month is celebrated in the month of January and this year’s theme is: “Engaging Every Family in Proclaiming and Living the Word.” January 20-26 is the celebration of the annual National Bible Week.

The celebration encourages the faithful and proposed that the families that already pray together integrate the reading of the Word of God into their family. Reading, sharing and praying the Word of God as part of family bonding is like building a household on the rock that will remain standing firm and strong even if being assailed by the storms of trials that engulf every families nowadays.

The bond is made even stronger when the family links up with the larger family of the Church on Sundays, breaking the Word together around the two tables – the table of the Word and the table of the Eucharist – on the strength of the Lord’s own assurance that “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Mt 18:20) In every family that is engaged in proclaiming and living the word of God together, Christ becomes truly present in our midst, constantly building his Church on solid rock. (Bp. Pablo Virgilio S. David, D.D.-Chairman, ECBA – The Catholic Daily Bible Reading Guide)

The Parish Bible Apostolate in Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish–Obrero opened the celebration of the National Bible Month in the Parish by the Enthronement of the Bible and together with the celebration of the Feast of Sto. Niño in the 6:30 a.m. Mass, January 19, 2014, celebrated by our Resident Priest and Spiritual Director of HCDC, Fr. Rolando Mandreza, DCD.

The SHJP-PBA Obrero Team distributed free Bible reading guide and Bible Verses Bookmarks after every Mass to the parishioners and sold Bibles at a minimal cost. In the afternoon from 1:00pm to 5:00pm we held a program at the Parish Hall II for the children, youth and adult gathered from the different GKK’s of the Parish for the continuation of the whole day celebration of the said event. It started with the Praise and Worship songs with Maria Elizabeth S. Olea and the Team, Invocation by Jose Maria Glenn B. Olea and Welcome address of Sr. Vangie Capilitan, OND, and a message from Fr. Rolando Mandreza, DCD, in lieu of our Parish Priest – Msgr. Paul Cuison, JCD who is out of town.

Part of the activity of the program are the 3 events (contests) regarding the Bible; 1. Bible Puzzle Contest in 3 categories: [Children – 8-12 years old], [Youth – 13-19 years old], [Adult – 20 years old and above], one winner for each category; 2. Bible Verse Contest (Memorization) in 2 categories: [Children 8-12 years old], [Youth – 13-19 years old] and; 3. Bible Quiz Contest (Selection type) (All Ages) facilitated by our SHJP-PBA Team Leader Bro. Rey Tiongco. Puzzle Contest Winners: Children – John Roman Lanoy, Youth – Rachelle Diano, Adult – Reynaldo Villaflores; Bible Verse Contest Winners: Children – Dimple Lamicday, Youth – Jessa Grace Manayan; Bible Quiz Contest Winners: 1st Prize – Jessa Grace Manayan, 2nd Prize – Gerlyn Mae Cañada.

The program was very successful because it was graced by the presence of Davao Catholic Herald-Manager/Editor in Chief and Archdiocesan Bible Apostolate of Davao (ABAD) Director – Fr. Ritsche J. Gamaya, DCD who gave us not only an inspiring message regarding the celebration and the Bible but also gave additional Prizes (Herald Mugs and Umbrellas). The event was graced with the presence of Sis. Mila Punsalan – ABAD Coordinator, Dr. Andy Selga – Parish Formation Coordinator, Sis. Jane Barnes – Parish LCM Coordinator and Bro. Henry Evangelista – PPC Lay Coordinator who prepared the puzzle and served as Judges of the contest. Ms. Mae D. Hipolito – Branch Manager of Planters Development Bank – Bajada Branch also attended the event and donated five Bibles as Prizes to the contestants which were all won by five children. Sis. Rose Denuna – SHJP-PBA Coordinator and the other Team members, namely; Adora Liong, Bebi Neri, Camilo and Emelita Pacaldo, Pelagio and Belen Brabante, Roy and Marlene Guardarama, Debbie Yap, Adela Guardiano, Letty Castro, RA, Andy Castro and Rupito Adamos in behalf of the Parish would like to thank all the sponsors and benefactors who in one way or another become part of the mission of the Parish Bible Apostolate-Obrero in the propagation of our faith thru the Word of God. (jmgbo)