Living the Threefold Mission

Christians are all called to holiness, they share Jesus’ threefold mission, his kingly, priestly and prophetic mission. This was how Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao categorized the different presentations that were reported during his recent pastoral visit at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, La Verna last April 18-20. Enriching the spirituality of believers through prayer, worship and service by taking care of the poor and evangelizing the good news were the key themes of the presentations.

During the second day of his visit, different Parish Coordinators reported their wins to the humble Archbishop. Among the reports that were highlighted, Archbishop Valles was most happy and proud of their recycling figures. Last year 2023, the Archdiocese of Davao is reported to have donated 1,500kg of single-use plastic to be made into plastic chairs which were then donated to public schools. Half of this was from St. Francis of Assisi Parish in La Verna and that made a mark. Because of this success, Archbishop Valles asked the parish priest, Fr. Pedro Lamata to report these figures during the presbyterium meeting in the hopes that other parishes would also do the same.

Of course, there will always be hurdles, and among the 21 GKKs, there still are those who have no leaders and those that do not have physical chapels. But these concerns do not in any way, hinder the lay faithful to continue the mission of the Church. Archbishop Valles said, “nalipay ko, excited kaayo ko when I close my eyes, when I leave, very confident ko to know 21 GKKs, tanan naglihok.”

Indeed, this was true because the parish has 120 beneficiaries for their Food Bank Program where they sell donated food items for a lesser price with bonus savings in the event that they can already fend for themselves. Towards the end of the second day, Archbishop Valles was presented a token of appreciation which moved him, not because he felt that he was honored or loved but because the people love the church along with its leaders.