Guidelines and Norms on the Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK)

Archdiocese of Davao

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INTRODUCTION

Beginnings of the GKKs in Davao

Vatican II’s vision of Church renewal gave rise to the emergence of Basic Ecclesial Communities or BECs in the Philippines. Their humble beginnings can be formally traced to the First Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral Conference (MSPC I) in 1971 which was held in Davao City. The Basic Ecclesial Communities or the Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKKs) of the Archdiocese of Davao have been existing since the beginnings of the 1970s following MSPC I. The description from MSPC I of worshipping, teaching, and serving communities paved the way to the building of GKKs which were reinforced by MSPC II’s (1974) theme of self-nourishing, self-sustaining and self-governing communities.

MSPC I and II brought the lay involvement, lay empowerment and lay leadership into the mainstream of the mission of evangelization. Before Vatican II (1962-1965), lay participation was present but it was basically passive, like the various mandated organizations. There were also faith based communities gathered around chapels. However, there were lay-initiated movements like the Cursillos de Cristiandad and the Barangay Sang Birhen Seminars which were seen as major programs of renewal through catechetical formation. These programs deepened the understanding of the living of the faith, of what the Church is (ecclesiology) and of the meaning of the sacraments. And this made easy the establishment of GKKs and lay leadership.

Development of GKKs in Light of Church Renewal

In 1982 the Archdiocesan Pastoral Assembly of Davao (APAD I) was held focusing on the GKKs. The pastoral program envisioned by APAD I highlighted evangelization, catechesis and formation of leaders towards the organization of the GKKs. APAD I confirmed that the Archdiocese of Davao had already embarked on a pastoral journey of making the local Church of Davao a growing, vibrant and participatory community of faith in which the workers for renewal — laity, religious and clergy — are meant to work together based on the experience of the GKKs.

In 1991, the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II) presented a vision of the Church as communion, participation and mission emphasizing the co-responsibility of the laity, thus paving way to a vision of a participatory Church throughout the Philippines. Thus, the Second Archdiocesan Pastoral Assembly of Davao (APAD II) in 1994, building on the experience of GKKs from the early 1970s, APAD I and PCP II, gave birth to its Vision-Mission Statement. The Vision-Mission Statement born at APAD II is continually growing in our local Church but it needs to be nourished to maturity, so to speak! APAD II revived again that spirit of renewal into the actual life of our Church. It took its “flesh and blood” in the GKKs of the now existing 37 parishes in the Archdiocese. It also bore fruit in the first Guidelines and Norms on the Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK) and the Sacraments in 1996.

Indeed, the GKKs are dubbed as “a new way of being Church.” What an appropriate description of the emergence and growth of ecclesial communities at the grassroots level! “Anew way” because they are one of the ways of making the local Church of Davao a participatory, co-responsible and missionary Church.

Theological Foundations of the GKKs

Yes, a new way of being Church! But it is not entirely new in the sense of originality. The early Christian communities had already practiced the “BEC way”. Scriptural basis of this can be found in Acts 2:42-47, Acts 4:32-35 and in some Pauline letters, like in 1 Cor. 12.

The early Church’s sense of communion, participation and mission was evident as “they devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers… All who believed were together and had all things in common… And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47) Their sharing in the breaking of the bread, sharing of their material/financial resources, prayers and their reaching out to other communities summarizes their living the faith. Isn’t this the essence of a participatory Church enfleshed nowadays in the GKKs?

Theologically, the GKKs are a reflection of the Trinitarian relationship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As communities of faith, GKKs are rooted in the communitarian dynamic outgoing love of the Father, Son and Spirit (See Lumen Gentium (LG), 4). The Biblical images of Church as People of God, Body of Christ and Temple of the Holy Spirit are evocative of the mystery of the Triune God (See Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 781-810).

As mentioned by Pope Paul VI, “the Church is a mystery. It is a reality imbued with the hidden presence of God. It lies, therefore, within the very nature of the Church to be always open to new and greater exploration.” Thus we who are engaged in building GKKs should be open to new realities in the life of the Church.

No wonder, PCP II considers the Church as a Community of Disciples of Jesus Christ! APAD II adopted such a model, as reflected in its Vision-Mission Statement. It is now clear that GKKs are not only organizational/sociological entities. They are primarily communities of the Church, that is, communities of faith rooted in Jesus Christ, inspired and nourished by the Holy Spirit.

The ecclesiological foundation of the GKKs is based on the following: Church as communion, participation, mission (PCP II, 87-105; 137). Also the Church shares in the threefold mission of Jesus Christ: priestly, prophetic and kingly (PCP II, 118-121; CCC, 783-786). Because of this, the GKKs are indeed worshipping, teaching, and serving communities of faith (PCP II, 137). Moreover, the GKKs are the concrete expression of the Church of the poor. (PCP II 122-136)

Because of the danger of using the GKKs as mere tools for ideological and political agenda, the teaching authority of the Church (Magisterium) has emphasized their being of the Church. As aptly described by PCP II, GKKs are the concrete expression of ecclesial renewal (PCP II, 140).

Community Life and Mission of the GKKs

The GKKs, as Christian communities, possess a two-fold dimension in their community life. On one hand, the inward dimension (ad intra) refers to discipleship. On the other hand, the outward dimension (ad extra) refers to apostleship. This means that the Church that grows inwardly in its life in Christ must also grow by bringing Christ to others. The GKKs are called to be evangelized and evangelizing (See Evangelii Nuntiandi (EN), 58; John Paul II. Redemptoris Missio (RM), 51; Ecclesia in Asia (EA), 25; Apostolorum Succesores, 215e).

To emphasize the missionary character of the Church, Pope Benedict XVI mentioned about the inherent connection between discipleship and mission. He stated that “discipleship and mission are like the two sides of a single coin: when the disciple is in love with Christ he cannot stop proclaiming to the world that only in Him do we find salvation.”

Moreover, Pope Francis repeatedly describes the Church as “a community of missionary disciples” (See Evangelii Gaudium (EG), 24, 40, 120). He further states that the Church is not self-referential: it is meant to go out to the periphery.8The Church as “the community of disciples does not exist only for itself or its members. It exists for the world. It is sent on mission to proclaim the good news of Christ and to be the instrument of his grace. It exists in order to evangelize, i.e., to proclaim the Good News, to build up the Church, and to serve the Kingdom by permeating the world with Gospel values so that finally all creation may be united in Christ as head” (PCP II, 104).

In the Philippine context, PCP II has emphasized the vision of a renewed Church, as a Church of the poor. The poor are meant not only to be evangelized but they are called to be evangelizing as well! Indeed the poor can be an effective force for renewed integral evangelization (See PCP II, 122-136). The challenge to become a Church of the poor is recently echoed in what Pope Francis calls “a poor church for the poor”. As a Church of the Poor, the GKKs are by their very nature “a little flock” who cares for everyone, especially the less fortunate and the marginalized.

The Parish as a Communion of Communities of GKKs and Other Communities

It is noteworthy that because of their being of the Church, the GKKs should be viewed as integral part of the parish community (See EG, 28-29). While the GKKs have certain degree of autonomy in running their community, they are never independent from the parish, much less from the local Church to which they belong! Pastorally speaking, in the same manner that the diocese, as a local church, is a wider community of faith composed of parishes, a parish is “a community of communities”. As RM 51 reminds us, “because the Church is communion, the new ‘basic communities’, if they truly live in unity with the Church, are a true expression of communion and a means for the construction of a more profound communion. They are thus cause for great hope for the life of the Church.” Indeed the GKKs are meant to be places of communion, not only from within but also reaching out beyond themselves.

Conclusion

As mentioned, the Vision-Mission Statement of APAD II led to the establishment and publication of Guidelines and Norms on the Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK) and the Sacraments in 1996. This pastoral publication is one concrete expression of the on-going implementation of APAD II. The updating of the Guidelines and Norms on the Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK) in 2014 continues that same spirit of renewal from Vatican II, APAD I, PCP II and APAD II for the local Church in the Archdiocese of Davao.

SECTION 1
Description and Nature of the GKKs

The GKKs are communities of faith in Jesus Christ and of the Catholic Church who reside in a certain territory within a parish. These communities are truly worshipping, teaching and serving communities. The GKKs are the contexts for their pastoral care, on-going Christian formation, prayer, worship, service, evangelization and missionary outreach. They are participatory, co-responsible and small faith communities of families transformed by the love of the Triune God, witnessing the values of Christian communion and mission to the world, especially to the poor through a renewed integral new evangelization!

Article 1 Communities of People of Faith
They are primarily communities of faith rooted in Jesus Christ, inspired and nourished by the Holy Spirit. They are communities of Catholics bonded by one faith, one baptism and one Lord around the Word of God. They are small enough to allow personal interaction among its members, and big enough to sustain, nourish and govern themselves. They are communities of Catholic families. It is here in the GKKs that one feels the sense of belongingness and acceptance. They are “a new way of being Church” because they are one of the ways of living the faith and in making the local Church of Davao a participatory, co-responsible and missionary Church. They are communities where Christian values of sharing, of communion and of participation in life are expressed, shared and lived.

Article 2 Communities of the Church
Since they are communities of Catholic faith, they are communities of the Church. As Church communities of faith, GKKs are rooted in the Trinitarian communitarian dynamic outgoing love of the Father, Son and Spirit. They reflect the Church as the People of God, the Body of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Spirit. The ecclesiological foundation of the GKKs rests on the nature of Church as communion, participation and mission (PCP II, 87-105; 137). The Church shares in the threefold mission of Jesus Christ: priestly, prophetic and kingly (PCP II, 118-121; CCC, 783-786). Hence, the GKKs, as concrete expression of Church renewal, share too in this threefold mission. The marks of the true Church — one, holy, catholic and apostolic — are expressed and experienced in doctrine, in worship, and in works of charity in missionary outreach.

Article 3 Communion of Communities in a Parish
The GKKs are communities of faith and of the Church that reside in a certain designated territory within a parish. The GKKs are wholly integrated into the local parish, which is “a communion of communities.” It is noteworthy that because of their being of the Church, the GKKs should be viewed as integral part of the parish community (see EG, 28-29). GKKs are formally established and recognized by the parish priest as communities of the parish. While the GKKs have certain degree of autonomy in running their community, they are never independent from the parish, much less from the local Church to which they belong! They should not “loose contact with the rich reality of the local parish and to participate readily in the overall pastoral activity of the particular Church. This kind of integration will prevent them from concentrating on only a part of the Gospel or the Church or becoming nomads without roots” (EG, 29).

Article 4 Communities of Formation, Worship, Service, Evangelized and Evangelizing
The GKKs are communities of faith and of the Church in a parish and are the contexts for pastoral care, prayer, sacraments, on-going Christian formation, evangelization and missionary outreach. These communities are the places where the disciples of Jesus Christ are formed and where they become apostles, communities of missionary disciples. The GKKs are contexts and vehicles for the priestly, prophetic and kingly mission of the Church. They are truly worshipping, teaching and serving communities. The GKKs as communities of missionary disciples do not exist only for themselves or for their members. They exist in order to evangelize, to go out of themselves to proclaim the good news of Christ to the world (see PCP II, 103-104). In this sense, they are missionary because in the measure that they evangelize, they are themselves evangelized (RM, 49; EN, 58). They reach out in selfless service to the wider community from their being evangelized. They are not “a self-absorbed cluster made up of a chosen few” (EG, 28). As “a poor Church for the poor” (EG, 198), the GKKs are by their very nature “a little flock” who cares for everyone, especially the less fortunate and the marginalized in solidarity with other groups.

SECTION 2
Membership and Roles of Service

PCP II 137 states:

“Our vision of the Church as communion, participation and mission, about the Church as a priestly, prophetic and kingly people and as a Church of the poor — a Church that is renewed — is today finding expression in one ecclesial movement.This is the movement to foster Basic Ecclesial Communities.”

All GKK members are expected to be participatory and co-responsible for the growth of the GKK faith-life. All members together are the GKK. Some members are called to roles of service for the good of the GKK. Concretely, what is needed is a facilitation, coordination and animation to promote a truly participatory community. This calls for a servant leadership style that is evocative, enabling and facilitative. Therefore, leadership in the GKKs is for service, a leadership that is rooted in Jesus Christ “Who came not to be served but to serve and as a ransom for many” (Mk. 10:45). It is a servant leadership, a leadership of service.

GKK membership which includes a ministry of leadership should focus on living-out the values of communion, participation, co-responsibility and a sense of mission.

MEMBERSHIP

Article 5 Membership
All persons baptized in the Catholic Church and those formally received into it residing within the GKK community are all members of the GKK.

Article 6 Participation in Other Communities
While all Catholics here in the Archdiocese of Davao are members of GKKs, some in addition are also members of different movements and other faith communities. Membership in these faith communities is commendable because it helps develop their catholic faith.It is highly encouraged and appreciated that members of these other faith communities share their God-given talents and gifts for the building up of their GKK where they belong.

Article 7 GKK Registry
In order to foster participation and communion in the community, the GKK shall have a current registry of all its members as individuals and as families within its territorial jurisdiction. The Archdiocese will provide the format for the registry.

Article 8 Rights and Responsibilities
A GKK member has the right and responsibility:

• To participate in the life andmission of the community;
• To get actively involved in the building up of the community;
• To practice the threefold ministry: priestly (worshipping), prophetic (teaching) and kingly (serving);
• To be evangelized and to receive Catholic formation;
• To receive the sacraments and sacramentals;
• To reach out to other communities such as other GKKs, other Christian communities, Lumads and other religions;
• To promote a sense of stewardship and integrity of creation.

Article 9 Issuance of the GKK Information Data Sheet
By nature, the Information Data Sheet (IDS) is for information purposes. It is a tool to identify the GKK members. It is freely issued to all members who intend to receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and marriage; those asking for parish recommendations; and certifications.

Issuance of IDS is based on the GKK Registry.It is released by the secretary.However, in the absence of the secretary, any member from the Social Communications Committee (SoCCom) may do so. IDS shall be signed by the Pangulo sa Katilingban (PSK). In the absence of the PSK, anyone of the three leaders — Pangulo sa Liturhiya (PSL), Pangulo sa Alagad (PSA), Pangulo sa Panudlo (PSP) — may sign.

It is highly recommended that signing be done at the chapel after the celebration of the Liturgy of the Word or during a GKK meeting.

ROLES OF SERVICE

Article 10 Shared Servant Leadership
All members of a GKK by baptism are called to full participation in the GKK. Some members are called to roles of service for the good of the GKK. To foster a shared servant leadership, it is expected that all leaders always coordinate with their Pangulo sa Katilingban (PSK) and with other GKK Leaders.

It is expected that GKK leaders will attend scheduled meetings, formation sessions and Kasaulogan Sa Pulong (KSP).

The following are considered key servant leaders of the GKK whose functions are regulated by the diocesan bishop through the parish priest. They are:

PANGULO SA KATILINGBAN (PSK)

Role: GKK overall facilitator, coordinator and animator
Functions:

• Facilitating the faith-life growth of the GKK;
• Coordinating with the other GKK leaders in handling GKK activities;
• Presiding-over GKK meetings;
• Linking with other PSKs in their Zone;
• Working with the Parish GKK Coordinator;
• Networking with the local government units & civil society groups (Non-Government Organizations [NGO] and Peoples Organizations [PO]).
• Signing the IDS form.

The PSK should not hold any other leadership role/functions in the GKK. Neither should the PSK hold civil executive positions.

PANGULO SA LITURHIYA (PSL)

Role: Overall in-charge of worship ministry
Functions:

• Enhances the liturgical life of the community. He coordinates with groups at the service of the liturgy, like music ministry, altar servers, lectors, commentators, cantors and psalmists, arts and environment.
• Organizes devotional activities such as rosary, processions, via cruces, traditional novenas and initiate special activities focused on the Word of God.
• Presides over the Liturgy of the Word — Kasaulogan Sa Pulong (KSP): Hiniusang Pag-ampo (HP); Kasaulogan Sa Adlaw’ng Domingo kon Walay Pari (KSD), and Kasaulogan Sa Kristohanong Paglubong/Kamatayon.
• Acts as altar server in GKK Masses in the absence of altar servers.

PANGULO SA PANUDLO (PSP)

Role: Overall in-charge of formation
Functions:

• Facilitates the basic and ongoing formation of GKK members and leaders on the truth of the Catholic faith and the doctrines of the Church whenever and wherever possible, be it formal or informal;
• Coordinates with the Parish Formation In-Charge through his/her PSK;
• Handles the yearly Flores de Mayo;
• Reads the weekly PSP Han-ay before every KSP/HP/KSD;
• Assists in the catechetical activities and formation done in every school located within the territorial jurisdiction of a particular GKK.

PANGULO SA ALAGAD (PSA)

Role: Overall in-charge of service ministry
Functions:

• Facilitates education/formation for Justice and Peace;
• Coordinates the socio-economic, political and cultural development of the GKK;
• Facilitates the assessment of the social condition of the community;
• Identifies issues and concerns affecting the life of the GKK;
• Organizes socio-economic development projects;
• Provides opportunities for formation towards social and environmental concerns;
• Oversees the Disaster Preparedness and Response Program;
• Sets up a functional GKK Social Action Committee which includes Caritas.

Article 11 Special Roles of Service

FAMILY AND LIFE

PANGULO SA KRISTOHANONG BANAY (PSKB)

Role: Overseer of the Family and Life Ministry in coordination with the PSK and other GKK leaders
Functions:

• Promotes the Pro Life orientation such as the practice of Natural Family Planning-Billings Ovulation Method (NFP-BOM);
• Facilitates basic and ongoing Family and Life formation;
• Recruits live-in couples for the reception of the sacrament of marriage.
• Works closely with the Pangulo sa Batan-on (PSB)/Youth Ministry.

YOUTH

PANGULO SA BATAN-ON (PSB)

Role: Overseer of the faith-life of the youth in coordination with the PSK and other GKK leaders
Functions:

• Organizes the youth in the GKK;
• Enhances the integration of the youth with other ministries;
• Animates the participation of the youth in the GKK life;
• Facilitates basic and ongoing formation of the youth;
• Works closely with the Family and Life Ministry/PSKB

Article 12 Selection of Nominees and Appointment of GKK Servant Leaders
In the selection and appointment of leaders, the parish priest as shepherd, should motivate members to take leadership roles and be part of the decision making process.

In the selection process, the parish priest will make sure that the necessary requirements are met.

• Pre-Selection stage:
  • Orientation-formation for everyone;
  • A committee is formed by the parish to take charge of the selection process
• Selection Proper:
  • Every listed member, present or absent except anyone who is holding an executive position in the Local Government Units, is qualified for nomination.
  • Mode of nomination is secret balloting.
  • The first three highest nominees are to be interviewed by the parish priest or with the parish team;
• Post-selection:
  • Selected leaders undergo basic/renewal formation before they are sent forth.
  • Term of Office: tenure of three years, renewable for another term as determined by the parish priest.
• Other considerations:
  • To enhance personal and community growth, leaders shall undergo yearly formation-renewal program.
  • In normal situations, every GKK shall have one PSL and PSP, unless the parish priest deems otherwise.
  • In the case of PSA, it is highly recommended to have one.

Article 13 Clustering of Families
The Clustering of Families is a smaller expression of the GKK as a Church of the neighborhood.

• Clusters of families (Cluster of Families [CF]) are to enhance a deeper sense of GKK communion, participation, co-responsibility and mission. It is highly recommended that the GKK members be clustered into 8-15 families per cluster, whenever possible.
• Clusters of families engage in activities that will cultivate the GKK values of communion, participation, co-responsibility and mission.
• Every Cluster will choose its own Cluster of Families Facilitator (CFF).
• The Word of God is of utmost importance in the life of the Clusters of families.For example: Bible Reflection, devotional prayers, celebrations of the liturgical seasons such as Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter.

Article 14 Cluster of Families Facilitator
Role: Facilitator and animator of the Cluster of Families
Functions:

• Animates Bible Reflection among CF members;
• Relates and coordinates with the PSK;
• Cultivates fellowship among CF members;
• Facilitates implementation of GKK programs and activities;
• Enhances a two-way information dissemination that is from the cluster level to GKK and vice-versa.

Article 15 Finance Committee
The GKK should have a Finance Committee which shall be composed of a Treasurer, as head of the Committee, and two members. The Treasurer shall be chosen by the GKK members while the (2) members shall be appointed by the GKK leaders. One of the members of the committee shall act as Auditor of the GKK. It shall be the duty of the Finance Committee to raise funds, as authorized by the Parish Priest for the support of the GKK.

Role: Steward of GKK funds and properties
Functions:

• Safeguards the funds of the GKK;
• Takes charge of GKK fundraising with the approval of the Parish Priest;
• Keeps the inventory of the GKK properties including documents on GKK lots;
• Facilitates banking transactions (if applicable);
• Establishes simple financial system;
• Makes periodic financial reports to the GKK.

Article 16 Social Communications Committee
For purposes of communications flow in the GKK, a Social Communications Committee (SoCCom) be established.

The Social Communications Committee is headed by the Secretary and the GKK leaders shall appoint 2 to 3 members to the SoCCom.

Role: Records keeper, documenter/facilitator of GKK communications.
Functions:

• Records and keeps minutes of the meeting;
• Provides the Information Data Sheet (IDS);
• Maintains the GKK Registry;
• Facilitates information dissemination;
• Documents important events of the GKK (written and pictures/videos).

Article 17 Flow of GKK Ministries and Apostolates
The basic understanding of Church and therefore of GKKs is a faith community of all the baptized. This faith community is at the service of all Christian families so that all members can live out their baptismal commitment. Facilitation, coordination and animation are needed to promote a truly participatory community. The flow of GKK ministries and apostolates should be enabling in order to focus on living-out the values of communion, participation, co-responsibility and a sense of mission. The diagrams below serve as an aid and guide for the community to live and witness their Catholic faith.

SECTION 3
Pastoral Formation and Skills Training

The importance of the formation of all GKK members (which includes leaders, families, children, youth and other members) is in conformity with the document ofSt. John Paul II entitled The Lay Members of Christ Faithful People (Christifideles Laici [CL]):

“The formation of the lay faithful must be placed among the priorities of the diocese. It ought to be so placed within the plan of pastoral action that the efforts of the whole community (clergy, lay faithful and religious) converge on this goal” (CL,57)

“Formation is not a privilege of a few, but a right and duty of all. Possibilities of formation should be proposed to all, especially the poor, who can also be a source of formation for all. For the purpose of a truly incisive and effective pastoral activity, the formation of those who will form others is to be developed through appropriate courses and suitable schools.” (CL,63)

Each of the lay faithful should seek further understanding and appreciation of the Catholic faith. In this regard, all GKK members should undergo basic and continuous integral faith formation. A well-founded formation program needs to be provided for all GKK members. Formation helps all members of the Church to grow in their call to holiness which is for the renewal of the temporal order — social, political, economic cultural and environmental.

Article 18 Direction of Pastoral Formation
The spirit of renewal envisioned by Vatican II, as incorporated in PCP II and APAD II is the basis for the direction of Pastoral Formation. This is achieved through an integral and continuing faith formation program for all GKK members. The Archbishop, together with the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council of Davao, is to oversee a well-coordinated formation program. The diocesan pastoral agencies will design various formation programs to be implemented by the parishes. These programs should be geared towards formation for mission, witnessing, personal conversion and social transformation.

Article 19 Foundational Integral Faith Formation
To strengthen all GKK members foundational integral faith formation must be given an utmost importance (see CCC, 287). This formation should center on the tri-mission of Christ (Priestly, Prophetic and Kingly) that they share by virtue of their baptism.

Thus the basic seminars given to all the GKK members should include Introduction to Salvation History, Encounter with the Jesus Christ through the Bible, Church Renewal Focusing on the Parish as a Communion of Communities, Liturgy Focusing on the Kasaulogan Sa Pulong (KSP), Bible Reflection and Devotional Prayers.

Article 20 Continuing Integral Faith Formation
This continuing formation shall include simple and further or deeper catechesis on the Doctrines, Sacred Scriptures, Christology, Sacraments, Ecclesiology, Mariology, Morals, and the Social Teachings of the Church based on the Sacred Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium.

Other matters concerning the regular continuing formation program may be given to all GKK members for the deepening of their faith such as:

• Intrapersonal
  • Personhood
  • Values Formation
  • Spiritual Deepening: Recollections, Retreats
  • Pscyho-spiritual formation
• Interpersonal
  • Community Relationship
  • Family-community living
• Ecclesial
  • Missionary Nature of the Church
  • Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue
  • Family Catechesis
  • Orientation on the moral dimension of the socio-economic and political issues
  • Encyclicals, Apostolic Exhortations and other Church magisterial documents
  • Spirituality of Stewardship
  • Philippine Church’ events
  • Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)Pastoral Letters
• Historical
  • History of BEC Development in the Archdiocese of Davao
  • History of the Archdiocese of Davao
• Social
  • Social, political, economic,cultural (SPEC)
  • Environmental concerns: seminar on environmental protection (Climate Change, Waste Management Segregation, Risk Reduction, etc.

Article 21 Integral Pastoral Skills Training
The following skills training should be given to all GKK Leaders:

• Christian Servant Leadership
  • Human Relations Skills/Pakiglambigit sa isig-kaingon
  • Basic Communication Skills
  • Facilitating Skills
  • Coordination Skills/Team Building Skills
  • Simple Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation (PIME)

Specific skills training for each leader about:

• PSK
  • presiding at meetings
• PSL
  • facilitating Bible sharing, presiding or conducting KSP, having an effective impartation of prepared sharing, conducting sacramentals, for example, funeral blessings, house blessings, etc. (if applicable), coordinating liturgical ministries
• PSP
  • creative teaching, forming and learning skills
• PSA
  • conducting Basic Orientation Seminar on Social Action Work (BOSSAW), organizing disaster preparedness and quick response efforts, organizing income generating projects (IGPs), handling advocacies
• PSKB
  • conducting effective seminars related to Marriage Enrichment and Family and Life concerns; capability of explaining the NFP-BOM; basic skills in counseling; basic skills in family catechesis
• PSB
  • evangelization through theater arts
• Cluster Facilitators
  • facilitating Bible Reflection
• Finance Committee
  • Simple/Basic Accounting, Reporting
• SoCCom
  • documentation and formulation of minutes, basic journalism

SECTION 4
Establishment of GKKs

GKKs are communities of faith in Jesus Christ and of the Catholic Church that are established within a parish. The GKKs are the contexts for pastoral care, on-going Christian formation, prayer, worship, service, evangelization and missionary outreach.

Article 22 Accompanying Idea/Concept in the Establishment of a GKK
Any community of baptized Catholics residing in a particular neighborhood within the parish may be established as a GKK.

Article 23 Steps for the Establishment of a GKK
The following are the steps to establish a GKK:

• request to establish a new GKK to the parish priest
• indicating enough members of the proposed new GKK (who are willing to undergo seminars/formation),
• endorsement from the chapel of origin (if applicable),
• consensus on the choice of the patron saint, approved by the parish priest,
• determination of a lot (if applicable), and the location poses no danger to the people.

Article 24 Location of a GKK
A GKK may be established in a subdivision, condominium, or any natural neighborhood of families.

Article 25 GKKs are a Part of the Communion of Communities in a Parish
An established GKK is a separate entity from the barangay and purok structures, and from homeowners’ associations. Furthermore, it cannot have its own identity apart from the parish and it should not be registered in Securities and Exchange Commission.

Article 26 Pastoral Care of the Parish Priest
The parish priest takes care of a GKK that experiences serious crisis in leadership, dwindling number of members, lack of personnel for its ministries, and the like.

Article 27 Reduction of Numbers of a GKK
For various reasons a GKK may experience a reduction of their members to a point where the GKK is unable to sustain its life and activities. Those remaining families may form a cluster or clusters of families that incorporate themselves to a neighboring GKK.

Article 28 A GKK Ceasing to Exist
A GKK shall cease to exist if there is total eviction of all members from their actual residences; and the like.

SECTION 5
Liturgical Celebrations, Religious Practices and Regular Encounters as Expressions of Communion

A GKK, as an integral part of a parish, is a community of faith that is nourished by the Word of God, the Eucharist and other sacraments. Popular devotions and other religious practices are also expressions of communion. All liturgical celebrations are celebrated according to the liturgical norms of the Church.

Article 29 Liturgical Celebrations
The celebration of the Holy Eucharist other liturgical celebrations such as the Liturgy of the Word, that is, Hiniusang Pag-ampo sa Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban or HP sa GKK, Kasaolugan sa Adlaw’ng Domingo Kun Wala ang Pari or KSD, other sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, Confession, Anointing of the Sick) and sacramentals (blessings and funerals) are to be celebrated meaningfully and solemnly in the GKKs.

Article 30 Religious Practices
Popular devotions and religious practices such as procession of statues of a GKK patron saint, praying the Holy Rosary, doing the Aurora, recitation of the Angelus, novenas to Christ, Mary and other Saints, Holy Hour, Way of the Cross, and the like may be celebrated in a GKK.

Article 31 Other Celebrations
Other celebrations such as Santacruzan, Panuluyan, Pabasa, Bible Enthronement, Bible Sharing, communal prayer meetings, Flores de Mayo, funeral wakes, private prayers and meditations may be celebrated in a GKK.

Article 32 Fiesta Celebration in the GKK
Aware of the utmost importance of the Eucharist, its celebration is the core of the GKK fiesta celebration. Novenas and all other popular devotions or practices come next in importance to the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

Pre-fiesta catechesis may be facilitated by the parish formation team in coordination with the GKK leaders.

• Other Activities:
  • Cultural and Social activities have become part of the community’s way of celebrating together their patronal fiesta. Patronal Fiesta may be celebrated without these activities.
  • It would be helpful for the GKK leaders to invite and discuss with the local authorities and civic leaders during fiesta planning and preparation for a fruitful fiesta celebration.
  • Gambling is discouraged during fiesta.

SECTION 6
The GKK Chapel

The GKKs are the contexts for pastoral care, on-going Christian formation, prayer, worship, service, evangelization and missionary outreach. The GKKs need a place to gather as a community. Normally, the GKKs gather in their chapels. The GKK chapel is considered as a sacred place, where the faithful, living in communion, gather and express their faith through becoming a worshiping, teaching and serving community.

Article 33 Chapel
Normally, aGKK is to have its own chapel.

Article 34 Alternatives to a Chapel
Under other circumstances, or maybe even in cases of natural disasters, a GKK may use another place to gather, provided that:

• there is a clear agreement, or permission between the owner of the chosen place and the GKK for its use;
• the community and the parish priest have agreed on the suitability of the chosen place;
• the sacredness of the place and the solemnity of the celebrations are faithfully observed;

Article 35 Sharing the Use of a Chapel
A GKK chapel may be shared for use by other GKKs that may not be able to have their own chapel (either permanently or temporarily), upon the approval of the parish priest.

Article 36 Chapel Property Ownership or Use
Chapel properties should be titled and donated to The Roman Catholic Bishop of Davao, Inc. (RCBDI). Otherwise, other forms of agreement for the use of the property should be entered into by the RCBDI and the landowner.

Article 37 Assistance in Acquiring or Using a Chapel Property
The Archdiocese of Davao shall assist the GKKs in the processing of documents pertaining to the acquisition or use of GKK chapel properties.