November 19, 2022. Around 429 lay ministers coming from ten parishes of the St. Joseph the Worker Vicariate happily gathered together at the Santo Niño Cathedral for a whole day reunion. This joyful event started with a warm welcome from the Diocesan ALK President, Bro. Leo Decastro Acenas followed by the Holy Mass with Rev. Fr. Allan Onden, the parish administrator officiating the Eucharistic celebration.
In the afternoon, there was a lively presentation participated by the lay ministers from the ten parishes:
1) Sto. Niño Cathedral 2) San Jose Parish 3) San Pedro Parish 4) Balangasan Parish 5) Danlugan Parish 6) S.A.C.A. 7) Dumalinao Parish 8) Tigbao Sub-Parish 9) San Pablo Parish.
This was followed by the input of Bishop Ronald Lunas, DD who gave an enlightening reflection on Synodality as companions in the journey. It is opening pathways for those who have been left at the margins of the Church like those who are no longer active church goers, non-Catholics, the poor, the indigenous peoples, the elderly, the youth, the LGBTQ+, the separated and those who are living together as couples. He invited the lay ministers to listen to their stories because the spiritual journey is all about listening and discerning the will of God in each one. He pointed out that sin is when we are too absorbed with ourselves and our petty concerns forgetting God, others and the environment. He reminded them that salvation is found in the cross of the Lord Jesus where love for God and for others meets at the center. Ministry is therefore a call to service at its fullness where love reigns supreme. “Deus Caritas Est” (God is Love).
This was the first gathering of the ALK lay ministers after two years since the lockdown caused by the Covid19 pandemic and it turned out to be a successful event. Grateful to the different working committees who made it possible: Liturgy, Registration, Finance, Food Distribution, Sounds, Physical Arrangement, and Program.
Hangtud sa sunod ug Padayon nga madasigon mga ALK sa SJW Vicariate!
