DaDiTaMa Subregion Celebrates the Season of Creation with Tree Planting and Stewardship Initiatives

On September 3-4, 2024, the DaDiTaMa Subregion gathered for their quarterly meeting at the Sea World Oasis Resort in Pantukan, Davao de Oro. This meeting coincided with the global celebration of the Season of Creation, a time dedicated to ecological awareness and action within the Catholic Church. In line with this, DaDiTaMa launched a tree planting and growing campaign, emphasizing their commitment to environmental stewardship and the promotion of care for God’s creation.

Day 2 of the event commenced early, as bishops and delegates participated in a tree planting activity at 5 a.m. in the peaceful surroundings of Sto. Niño, Mabini. This initiative was a symbol of their shared responsibility in nurturing the environment and advocating for sustainability within their communities. It also highlighted the need for collective action in protecting the natural world, in line with the teachings of Pope Francis in Laudato Si’, which calls for ecological conversion and an integral approach to caring for our common home.

Rev. Fr. Rex Barte, Pastoral Director in the Diocese of Tagum said in one of the Facebook reels posted on Diocese of Tagum – DiTasCom, “dili ni para sakua, but for the next generation, ingon nila ulahi nadaw, no walay ulahi, ang importante, the present moment, na naa tay matanom, para naa tay mabilin for the next generations.”

Following the tree planting, the attendees reconvened for breakfast, and the meeting resumed with a series of vibrant discussions on various diocesan matters. Key topics covered during the session included the success of the DaDiTaMa Youth Convention, ongoing Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) accompaniment, and the crucial role of Social Communication in addressing pressing social issues such as LGBTQ clarification. The discussions also focused on the Season of Creation celebrations and efforts to advance the diocesan stewardship program.

A notable highlight of the meeting was the DADITAMA Logo contest, which seeks to represent the unity and shared mission of the dioceses. This initiative reflects the dioceses’ deepening collaboration and commitment to embodying the Church’s mission of service and evangelization.

As DaDiTaMa continues its mission, the dioceses remain committed to nurturing both the spiritual and physical environments they inhabit. By promoting ecological awareness and encouraging the faithful to embrace a life of stewardship, they strive to live out the values of the Gospel and reflect God’s love for all creation.