As a follow up of their successful Formation Conference held in Baguio City last April the Parish Pastoral Council of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Rizal, Santiago, Isabela again gathered together to formulate the Vision, Mission and Goal (VMG) of the parish. The meeting was held last May 13-15,2014 at the Villa Sylvia Resort in Nagcarlan, Laguna.
The formulation of the VMG was
facilitated by Fr. Chris Tibong, OFM who challenged the parish leaders in
reflecting about the very existence of the church: Why is there a Church and to
where Holy Spirit leading the newly erected parish of St. Francis of Assisi?
In the workshop the participants
were divided into four groups. The first three groups reflected on the
three-fold character of Jesus as a Prophet, King and Priest relating them to
the ministry of Worship, Service and Evangelization. The fourth group reflected
on the ministry and mission of the parish administration as a whole. After a
thorough reflection the group finally came up with a clear Vision of the
parish: "Ang St. Francis of Assisi Parish ay isang Sambayanang Sama-Samang
Sumasamba, Tapat na Naglilingkod at Nagsasabuhay ng Salita ng Diyos ayon sa
Buhay ni San Francisko ng Assisi."
After accomplishing their difficult
task of setting the vision of the parish the participants celebrated Franciscan
Joy at the pool side of the resort. Then before leaving for home the following
day the group made a pilgrimage to the old Franciscan churches in Nagcarlan and
Liliw and visited the Underground Cemetery in Nagcarlan. They also went
Tsinelas shopping in Liliw. The group also visited the Franciscan Novitiate
where they had lunch and the chance to visit the Hermitage Huts. Back in Manila
they visited Santuario de San Antonio, Forbes Park, Makati City and was
welcomed with a dinner by the guardian, Fr. Baltasar Obico, OFM.
The parish priest of St. Francis of
Assisi Parish in Santiago, Isabela and the parish leaders wish to thank all who
have helped in the Formation Conference of the PPC and their Pilgrimage to some
Franciscan Churches. They are asking for prayers as they begin task of
spreading the Gospel in the small community of St. Francis of Assisi Parish,
Rizal, Santiago City.
