PERSPECTIVE SETTING

Msgr. Gerardo O. Santos- Executive Secretary, ECCCE

"Abide in me and bear much fruit" (John 15.51)

The program of the church for the third millennium outlined by the Holy Father is loud and clear: the program of holiness - the program that will make saints out of us. It is program in Jesus, of Jesus and by Jesus. Thus, all pastoral initiatives must be in relation to holiness: that Christ be formed, that Christ be proclaimed!

The program of the church is expressed in the following: communion with Jesus which gives rise to the communion of Christians among themselves, is the indispensable condition for bearing fruit, and communion with others, which is the gift of Christ and his Spirit is the most magnificent fruit that the branches can give. In this sense, communion and mission are inseparably connected. They interpenetrate and mutually imply each other, so that "communion represents both the source and fruit of mission: communion gives rise to mission and mission is accomplished in communion." (EZ 24)

We gather to celebrate our communion with the Church - called to live the mission of proclaiming Jesus in the Ministry of catechesis and education in schools. We should never lose sight of our commitment: we are called to live the mystery, teach the faith and share the experience of God's love in Jesus.

More than ever before, the work of catechesis and education demands a collective response. The church has entrusted to us the responsible stewardship of forming the children, the young and the adult through direct proclamation known as catechesis or religious education and stewardship of the institutions of learning known as the school.

First, responsible stewardship challenges us to be the lead agents in the passage of the bills on mandatory religious instruction in public schools and the subsidy scheme to private elementary and secondary schools. A directed reading of the documents will be facilitated by our friends from the CEAP.

Second, responsible stewardship calls us to look seriously on how media technology can be at the service of catechesis and education. Three groups are invited to share to us their experience and products: the Daughters of St. Paul, the Jesuit Communications and the Communications Foundation of Asia.

Third, the assurance of quality in the religious education program in schools and in our own school curriculum as a whole is to be discussed through draft documents known as "accreditation instruments". For lack of a better word, we are using the word accreditation. Some suggest recognition or certification. But the purpose is clear: to follow the inspiration of John Paul II in his Ex Corde Ecclesiae.

On the second day, two simultaneous conferences are to be held. Heads of catechetical centers or RE program heads in colleges and universities gather to share practices in the supervision and formation of catechists. This will culminate in the presentation of the EMLCs. "One solid cause of hope is the increasing number of better trained, enthusiastic and Spirit - filled lay people who are more and more aware of their specific vocation within the ecclesial community. Among them the lay catechists deserve special recognition and praise." (EA 9)

Diocesan and congregational school superintendents convene a conference to discuss two standing agenda items: the manual for superintendents and the discussion on quality assurance in schools - accreditation of instruction, benchmarking and ISO in management are a few of the areas to be covered.

In all these, braise yourself for a  never ending, yet exciting workshop, after workshop the last day of the convention focuses on the reports and resolutions documentation the workshops for direction setting.

Lastly, while we gather to discuss and to plan and to commit, one can never lose sight of one essential principle of the Christian view of life: the primacy of grace. Our praying together in the Eucharist or as individuals confidently assures us that there is a presence among us. It is prayer which roots us to this truth. It reminds us of the primacy of Christ and in union within him, the primacy of the interior life and holiness.

And when Jesus is present, we can go into the deep waters of mission life in communion with him and with each other.

DUC in ALTUM!