Aligned with the celebration of the Year of Faith, the Association of the Pauline Cooperators (APC) of Cagayan de Oro (CDO) considered distribution of Bibles to typhoon Sendong survivors and Bible enthronement in their homes as one of their programs for the year 2013. This was a project they committed to carry out when they met for the APC National Convention last May 2013.
To accomplish this plan, they invited Sr Divinia de Claro, FSP to conduct a bible seminar among the APC members. Hence, on June 22-23, 2013, they attended a very successful 2-day-bible-refresher-course which culminated with an actual Bible enthronement.
By June 25, the APCs had their first trial class among selected students from Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGHS) of CDO. It was held in Fatima Chapel. The students were very receptive and promised to start Bible sharing in their school.
To celebrate the feast of St Paul on June 30, the APCs together with Sr. Gina and Sr. Divinia, conducted a Bible seminar among Sendong survivors relocated at Mother of the Divine Mercy Relocation Center, Opol, Misamis Oriental. This is where hundreds of families who lost their homes after the devastating floods of Sendong were given free house and lot, sponsored by religious and civic groups.
Almost 70 families participated in the Bible seminar. They promised to read and share the Word among family members after the Bible enthronement in order to strengthen their bond and unity as a Basic Ecclesial Community.
“We are fed with spiritual food and with physical food!” exclaimed one of the Bible seminar participants who thanked the APCs and the Daughters of St Paul for breaking the Word of God among them. In a gesture of solidarity and gratitude, the participants showed how to live the Word. The Pauline Cooperators and Sisters brought some bread and drinks for the participants. But when their transport was delayed and it was past noon, the leaders in the community brought to the table whatever they had from their meagre resources – a pot of steaming rice, a can of sardines, etc. to feed the sisters and cooperators. For the Sisters and Pauline Cooperators, it was a fulfilling experience of being messengers of the Gospel.
By: Grace Fernan, APC and Sr Divinia de Claro, FSP
