November 18, 2022. Thirty four religious sisters and priests gathered today at the Bishop’s Chapel for their first General Assembly. It began with a beautiful prayer prepared by the St. Paul Sisters community followed by the warm welcome by Fr. Art Daquilea, OFM who is the appointed Vicar for Religious. Sr. Grace, CB then made a short historical background of the early beginnings of the association which was formerly WRAP (Women Religious Assoc. of Pagadian).
Fr, Belstar Ediang, STL then took time to share some of the important highlights of the recently concluded MSPC (Mindanao Sulu Pastoral Conference) held in Cagayan de Oro City. He stressed that MSPC is all about the Church members (priests, religious and lay) coming together in mutual participation, cooperation and collaboration by virtue of our baptism and not from the roles and status we play. He reminded us that after 500 years of Christianity and 50 years as a diocese, we are not just gifted to give, but we ourselves are gift to the Church and to the world. Likewise, we are a missionary Church and we are called to carry out the following Pastoral Work Ad Extra: 1) Ecology 2) BEC 3) IRD and 4) Spirituality
After a delightful morning break, the group proceeded to the election process where they chose the six officers who will continue to carry out the mission and vision of the association.
In the afternoon, Bishop Bong shared the salient points of the FABC 50 (Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference) held in Bangkok, Thailand in October. The theme: Journeying Together as Peoples of Asia (And they went the other way…) was an invitation to revitalize the Church and at the same time, a call to search for new pathways for service in the Church and in the world. He enumerated several concerns that was given much importance: 1) Ecology 2) Youth 3) Women 4) Families 5) Peace 6) Social Media Platforms. In the end, it was a reminder for us the Church in Asia to Dialogue and to reach out to the peripheries joyfully. The pastoral and ecological conversion was emphasized as a response to the Cry of the Poor and the cry of the Earth together. Finally, the FABC also stressed the need for a greater participation of the CL and the Lay people.
The assembly concluded with the celebration of the Eucharist prepared by the SASMP community and concelebrated by Bishop Bong and Fr. Art Daquilea, OFM.
Grateful to the Steering Committee who made this event a successful one!
Padayon ta sa panaw DPAR!
