Activities of National Bible Week Slated

MANILA, Jan. 2, 2010-The Episcopal Commission on Biblical Apostolate (ECBA) of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has lined up various activities in celebration of National Bible Week slated from January 25 to 31.

ECBA executive secretary Fr. Oscar Alunday, in a letter sent to different dioceses and partners in the Biblical-Pastoral Ministry, said the Bible Week celebration "calls for unity in making the prayer of Jesus come true, that 'they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us...' (Jn 17:21)"

Alunday said the Bible week festivities will be an occasion for everyone to deepen their knowledge of the Scriptures.

"[It will give] us a chance to explore different approaches in deepening our experience of the Living Word in the sanctuary of our homes and families, in our busy life in schools, offices and institutions, in centers of formation and renewal, in the government and military service and in the Basic Ecclesial Communities," he said.

A long list of activities is lined up for the week meant to involve all sectors of society in creating awareness on the importance of the word of God in the life of the individual.

Planned activities include Bible Enthronement in homes and families, in classrooms and offices, in chapels and Churches (also on birthdays, anniversaries etc), and integrating it in novenas, devotions and where it is possible in liturgical celebrations; Gospel Sharing in homes and in the BEC, before or after Holy Mass, in different occasions; Ecumenical Bible Parade and Bible Rally with biblical quotations in posters and flaglets.

To encourage the public, especially those in government offices to participate in Bible reading in accordance to Presidential Decree Nos. 1923 (1979, Marcos) and Presidential Proclamation 44 (1986, Aquino), and PP 1067 (Ramos), ECBA proposes biblical animators to request a letter of endorsement or municipal ordinance from authorities.

A request for a Pastoral Letter from the Local Bishop is also advised to encourage the full participation of the faithful in reading, studying, praying, celebrating and supporting the national bible week celebration and the Bible Sunday Collection. During Bible Week, 40 percent of the collection goes to the diocese, 30 percent to the region and 30 percent to ECBA.

Other activities are Family Bible Quiz (Youth Bible Quiz, Children's Bible Quiz, Senior Citizens' Bible Quiz); Biblia Sports Festival: Biblialakad (pilgrims walking to Shrine); Bibliabola (games with biblical names of teams); Bibliagala (public reading and parade of biblical personalities in different attires); Gospel Song Festivals (and concerts): public contest during the week; semi-finalists on Saturday and Championship on Bible Sunday; Live Radio interviews and Updates on the daily activities during the National Bible Week; Salitext: forwarding biblical verse and Bible Anime; and continuous reading of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation on Jan.30 afternoon, eve of National Bible Sunday. (CBCPNews)