On November 17, 2024, the Diocese of Catarman and the Redemptorist Mission Team celebrated Thanksgiving Mass as a concluding activity for almost one year of “Journeying Together in Faith in the Spirit of Mission,” redefining Basic Ecclesial Communities toward becoming a WAY of LIFE.
Most Rev. Nolly C. Buco, bishop-elect of the diocese, represented today by Bishop Emeritus Most Rev. Emmanuel C. Trance, shares his joy and gratitude to the Redemptorist Missionaries and Diocesan mission partners for their dedication, service, and commitment to sharing the mission of Christ in different communities.
Inspired by the banner theme “ONE BARANGAY, ONE BEC” Mission, the team piloted three barangays of each parish in the diocese from November 28, 2023, to November 16, 2024, covering a total of ninety barangays of the 30 parishes, mission centers, and chaplaincies of the Diocese of Catarman.
Most Rev. Oscar Jaime L. Florencio, D.D., Bishop of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines (MOP), served as the presider and homilist of today’s Eucharistic celebration. He said that his MOP brother seminarians, Redemptorist priests, and other missionaries need to go from one mission area to another, or so-called journey, but they will keep their experiences and synodal encounters in the Diocese of Catarman, which must continue, especially in the celebration of its Diocesan Golden Jubilee. They will be happy leaving Catarman with so much hope that this BEC Mission will continue.
Fr. Gerardo Matriano, C.Ss.R., Coordinator of this Diocesan Mission, presented to the faithful all the Redemptorist Missionaries from Cebu, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Iligan, Davao, Tacloban, Calbayog, Vice Province of Manila, Baclaran, and Catarman. Their team is headed by Rev. Fr. Edilberto Cepe, C.Ss.R., Provincial Superior. According to Fr. Matriano, they considered Catarman one of the biggest mission areas with many volunteers, as it covers the entire diocese and not just selected parishes. Their journey in the diocese is enlivening and inspiring.
Bishop Trance and Pastoral Director Fr. Eduardo E. Dorico emphasized the thematic preparation of the diocese, catering to the Synodal Themes of Communion, Participation, and Mission, so that by March 11, 2025, on its Golden Jubilee, the local church will celebrate the visible expressions and way of life of “Masiningbahon, Masinaksihon, Masinerbihon.”
This BEC Mission is indeed an inspiration and a challenge for the clergy to strengthen their pastoral zeal and missionary spirit among the faithful.
(Source: Facebook page of Diocese of Catarman Pastoral Secretariat Office)
Photos by @Arnel de Silva/DocuTeam
