Submitted by Vox Bikol on
SORSOGON City, Feb. 13, 2012—Thousands of delegates from various parishes of the Diocese of Sorsogon celebrated the 3rd Diocesan Basic Ecclesial Communities day last February 4, 2012 at Pilar, Sorsogon.
With the theme, “Saradit na Kristianong Komunidad padagos sa paglakbay na nagsisimbag sa pangapodan na magin mga tunay na Kristianong Disipulo,” (Basic Ecclesial Communities continue to journey in response to the call to become authentic Christian disciples) the celebration began with a motorcade led by Bishop Arturo Bastes, SVD, and 28 parish priests in the diocese.
The motorcade from Sorsogon City to Pilar town symbolized the “journeying together” of the Basic ecclesial communities in Sorsogon.
Bastes led the Mass with over 30 priests concelebrating at the newly- renovated parish church. Tents were set up outside the church for the delegates who could not be accommodated inside.
Various photos of activities highlighting the lives and experiences of BECs as well as products of their livelihood projects were exhibited after the Mass.
Father Amado Picardal, CSsR, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ BEC Committee, gave an inspirational talk titled “The Challenge for the BECs in Sorsogon.”
He emphasized the need to sustain and expand the efforts of BECs in the following areas: poverty alleviation, environmental protection, good governance, and peace advocacy.
Picardal stressed that with over 20 years of sustaining the BEC in Sorsogon, it is important for the communities to look upon what they have accomplished and what they will be facing in the coming days.
“Dapat linawin din natin ang ating patutunguhan at kung ano pa ang dapat gawin para maabot natin ang ating mga pangarap sa hinaharap,” Picardal said. (Ronalyn Regino)