PPC IN NAGCARLAN

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.

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI PARISH HELD FORMATION CONFERENCE

Last April 8-10, 2014 the Parish Pastoral Council of the newly erected St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Rizal, Santiago City, Isabela went to the Franciscan San Damiano Integration House, Baguio City for a 3-day Formation Conference. The said formation conference aimed to strengthen the leadership and commitment of all the parish leaders.

The first part of the conference was facilitated by Fr. Vonci Del Mundo, OFM, the parish priest. He gave an input concerning the effects of the Transition: from being a Quasi-Parish to a Parish; from being administered by the La Salette Missionaries, then by the Diocesan Priests and now by the Franciscan Friars. Fr. Vonci invited the leaders to undergo a spiritual reflection by looking into the ministry of Jesus as he challenged the ways the Pharisees and Scribes or the Religious leaders lead the flock during his time.

The theme of the conference was: "Transition: Boon or Bane? and The New Wineskin, The New Cloth and the New Wine". The Second part of the Conference focused on the Strategic Planning and the Formation of the Minister. It was facilitated by Fr. Chris Tibong, OFM.

The group also watched the film "Brother Sun and Sister Moon" to introduce to the leaders the life of St. Francis of Assisi. After watching the film, most of them cried and were inspired about the life of St. Francis of Assisi.

After the formation conference the group toured around Baguio City and had their lunch at the Little Flower Convent of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Concepcion.

Contributed by Fr. Vonci Del Mundo, OFM