Where are all the flower's gone? Where are all the laity's gone?
The laity comprises the vast majority of the faithful of Aklan. With a population of about half a million and with a clergy of only 67, (and not all are present in the diocese) one could imagine that the diocese could not go ahead without the laity.
But look at what the SODA of the beloved bishop indicate. Although they "have been given importance," "are encouraged to take an active role in the parish and in the Diocese," and "are given opportunities to exercise their (different) charisms," --- "much has still to be done."
This is especially true in the area of the family "today being bombarded with many anti-family values coming from many sectors of our society."Statistically, we cannot totally rely on the priests, but on the laity, perhaps under the priest's guidance.
The best persons who could help the laity are the lay persons themselves.
Perhaps, liturgical participation is not enough, though it is very important. Perhaps, only prayer is not enough though it strengthens us to face the ever more dark world. The laity, who are in fact beginning to be aware, that hey have to help one another concretely, is the best visible sign of being Church.
Where are the laity's gone? Yes they mabe be inside the church, but the visible love, help, cooperation, mutual understanding of common problems they face, in short, their mutual love for one another in whatever or wherever field of work are in, be it in politics, education, journalism, sports, culture, music, etc, is the best flowering of the presence of Christ in Aklan. And this is a good sight!
In continously reading the State of the Diocese Address of Bishop Lazo, it is edifying to note "an increase of lay participation in the liturgical life" in Aklan. And this is not only qualitative but also qualitative.
Thanks to the help of Rev. Fr. Mark Beloso: the young chairman of the liturgical commission of the Diocese. Though at the same time the chancellor the "Diocesan Liturgical Commission, together with the Diocesan Catechetical Commission made a lot of difference in the liturgical and catechetical celebrations and the faith-life of the people," SODA affirms.
This is a happy reality. "Sacraments now are received / celebrated with instructions. The choir and the new Akeanon songs enhance the participation of the faithful especially during Sunday masses. The emergence of the liturgical ministries helped to highlight the role and responsibility of the lay in the liturgy.
The Diocesan Catechetical Ministry has been printing catechetical materials for the use of the catechists in the schools in the diocese. Regular meetings and seminars have been held. By and large the liturgical and catechetical life of the people is very much active and interactive." Since the Word of God and the Sacraments are inexhaustible treasures of the church, the bishop added "many things sill have to be put in place," as if to ask: "what could we generously offer to make our province more near to God and to man, especially the poor and the marginalized?"
About 30 years ago, in a nationwide survery only 15% of Filipino catholics go to the church during sundays. Now, in Aklan mass attendance is on the rise. Maybe thanks to the faithfulness of her ministers and to Fr. Mark Beloso who in spite of all the odds and an increasing secularization, continue to be faithful to the gift and grace of the priesthood.
We would like to express our gratitude for this gifts of God bestowed on our province!
Fr. Am Mijares
Focolare
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In continously reading the State of the Diocese Address of Bishop Lazo, it is edifying to note "an increase of lay participation in the liturgical life" in Aklan. And this is not only qualitative but also qualitative. Thanks to the help of Rev. Fr. Mark Beloso: the young chairman of the liturgical commission of the Diocese. Though at the same time the chancellor the "Diocesan Liturgical Commission, together with the Diocesan Catechetical Commission made a lot of difference in the liturgical and catechetical celebrations and the faith-life of the people," SODA affirms.
This is a happy reality. "Sacraments now are received / celebrated with instructions. The choir and the new Akeanon songs enhance the participation of the faithful especially during Sunday masses. The emergence of the liturgical ministries helped to highlight the role and responsibility of the lay in the liturgy. The Diocesan Catechetical Ministry has been printing catechetical materials for the use of the catechists in the schools in the diocese. Regular meetings and seminars have been held. By and large the liturgical and catechetical life of the people is very much active and interactive."
Since the Word of God and the Sacraments are inexhaustible treasures of the church, the bishop added "many things sill have to be put in place," as if to ask: "what could we generously offer to make our province more near to God and to man, especially the poor and the marginalized?"
About 30 years ago, in a nationwide survery only 15% of Filipino catholics go to the church during sundays. Now, in Aklan mass attendance is on the rise. Maybe thanks to the faithfulness of her ministers and to Fr. Mark Beloso who in spite of all the odds and an increasing secularization, continue to be faithful to the gift and grace of the priesthood. We would like to express our gratitude for this gifts of God bestowed on our province!
About sixty percent of the population of Aklan are young. The figures could be higher in as much as a twenty eight year old man/woman is considered some years ago by the CBCP as “young”. This is understandable since the development of young persons today, especially the generation X is slower. Age of maturity becomes higher and higher. Consider that Canon Law, about some decades before, considered the age of fourteen as a marriageable age.
The State of the Diocese Address (SODA) of the bishop of Aklan has this to say regarding its youth Apostolate: “The Youth Apostolate is picking up and there had been a number of youth encounters in the diocesan as well as parish level. Like the family the youth of today is very vulnerable to the inroads of mass media and the environment that are not always value-oriented. Our youth need direction and guidance to be able not only to thwart the evils in society but also to sharpen their capacity to be “useful” and value, person and community oriented.”
Outrightly, this “picking up” is due to the efforts of a priest who is himself young: Fr. Glen Magpusao. This this does not mean that it was going down in the past. The sheer number of young people of Aklan makes it almost physically impossible for any Diocesan Youth Director to meet all these young people. Yet, thanks to Fr. Glen, since “there had been a number of youth encounter.” These “encounters” are very good capsulated formation course for three to four days designed by the Episcopal Commission on the Youth Apostolate for our Filipino youth. It is substantial in doctrine, relational in its approach and very actual in its response. But how many of the 60% of almost half a million population of Aklan attended this? Certainly, only a fraction.
Thanks to the youth themselves who retain their ideals in the their hearts and foment their relationship with God through other means: fraternity is one, respect for parents – another, joining advocacy groups is a good sign among others, participating in the liturgical celebrations in the church is a very good help. Another interesting sign among the youth are the involvement in actions for the sake of the common good under the leadership of some by our NGO’s. Volunteerism seems to be on the rise. But the bishop admits they are “very vulnerable to the inroads of mass media and the environment which are not always value oriented.” It is encouraging to note that some youth involved in the media (like the group responsible for this online news) take unto themselves in presenting not only the bad sensational news but those that could be called “good” news.
As a whole the bishop admits “our youth need direction and guidance.” Christianity in the first centuries of growth in Rome, became an agent of change and influenced their pagan society and environment for the better, rather than being influenced by them for the bad. Their faith in Christ urged them to have a vision of society according to the values and principles of their Master, who is the Lord of the universe and at the same time, is continuously going along with them in their desire to build a better world. And they succeeded, not without pains and sacrifices, sometimes, heroism - to the point of martyrdom. We cannot deny, in spite of contradictory signs, the roots of Europe is Christian. Even our Christianity comes from her.
As the he bishop aptly said, they need guidance so that they “be able not only to thwart the evils in society but also to sharpen their capacity to be “useful” and value, person and community oriented.” Social evils in Aklan need social and concerted solutions. The youth have this capacity for a fraternal and group commitment, if guided accordingly. They have the great capacity to be of service through volunteerism, inner capacity and sensibility to human dignity and the common good. So what are the youth waiting for?
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