To conclude this year’s Initial Formation (IF) summer activities, the aspirants, pre-postulants, postulants, novices, junior professed sisters, and some formators of the Daughters of St. Paul went on a mission at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Lobo, Batangas from May 3 to 19, 2014. The parish was chosen to commemorate the beginning of the missionary activities of the first Paulines in the Philippines. His Excellency, Most Rev. Ramon C. Arguelles, D.D., Archbishop of Lipa, approved the initiative as the Daughters of St Paul celebrate their 75th year of foundation in the Philippines, particularly in Lipa, the cradle of the congregation in the Philippines.
Aside from the usual daily visits to the families, the Pauline missionaries also conducted Sunday media displays, Bible enthronement, Bible seminar, and catechism sessions for adults and children.
The Juniors took charge of the adult catechism and Bible seminar which centered on the theme, “Buhay na Saksi ni Kristo”. This is in line with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) theme for the celebration of the Year of the Laity: “Speak up for Jesus and his Church in public discussions. Do not be afraid to be identified as Catholic Christians. You have been called to be saints; you are sent forth as heroes. Take courage. Choose to be brave!”
The novices, postulants, pre-postulants, and aspirants also gave basic catechetical instructions to children especially on the sacraments.
The “Biblia sa Bawat Pamilya” project was also intensified during the mission. In fact, several families from distant areas in the parish were reached by the sisters during their town fiesta, the only time Mass is celebrated in their place. They were grateful for the sisters’ visit and especially for the Bible Mission.
In addition to the input on the Eucharist given during the daily catechism, those who attended a half-day basic Bible seminar were also encouraged to feel their responsibility as Catholics and especially towards God’s creation. This is in response to the appeal made by Rev. Fr. Bernard Aguila, the parish priest, to disseminate information regarding advanced exploration for gold and silver mining in the locality.
As a conclusion to the mission, the sisters attended the Archdiocesan Prayer Rally against mining in Lobo. Archbishop Arguelles, some clergy and the Archdiocesan Ministry on Environmental Protection made its public appeal to the provincial government of Batangas and the local government officials of Lobo and its residents to come together and fight against the mining plan in the area.
