After the historic seminar/workshop on Social Media with the Catholic Bishops of the Philippines in January, Bishop Emilio Marquez of the Diocese of Lucena invited the Daughters of St Paul to conduct a similar workshop for his clergy. On March 10, 2014, Sr. Carmel Galula and Sr. Rose Agtarap facilitated the Social Media for Ministry workshop at the Sentro Pastoral of the Diocese of Lucena where more than 50 priests participated.
Many of the younger priests already have a Facebook profile and have attempted to use this to inform and connect with their parishioners. Others showed interest in this new means of networking but were not sure how to begin. Sr. Rose presented the different social media platforms and how these can be used for the new evangelization and their ministry in the parish, the diocese and the world at large. After the presentation, Sr. Carmel and Sr. Rose assisted some members of the clergy in using Facebook and setting up their accounts.
Lucena is the capital city of the province of Quezon, approximately 170 kilometers south of Manila. The diocese of Lucena is blessed with many priests and religious. In fact, eight bishops of the Philippines come from this diocese. It also boasts of using the means of communication in its ministry and publishes a weekly newspaper, has its own printing press and a radio station broadcasting from 4:00 AM to 12:00 midnight.
Because of their distance from Manila, many do not have access to reading materials necessary for their ministry and spiritual growth. So side by side with the workshop, Sr. Leah delos Santos and Sr. Porferia Ocariza set up a book exhibit. The priests expressed their appreciation for the workshop and for the wide range of materials made accessible to them and for the unique ministry of the Pauline sisters.
