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Opening Statement delivered by Msgr. Gerardo O. Santos, ECCCE Executive Secretary during the National Convention of Catechetical Centers and Colleges Offering Religious Education held on 22-25 May 2006 at NPC Seminar Center, Bagac, Bataan.
Introduction
It is a most auspicious year. It is the year of Deus Caritas Est, the first encyclical of Benedict XVI. The program of his pontificate is found in the pages of this remarkable document. The interplay of philosophy and theology found in the reality of eros, agape and logos is a deep reflection on the richness of Christian tradition. We are touched by the spiritual reflection of the statement "God is Love" found in the contemplation of the pierced side of Christ. We take the challenge to make love real in a world that hungers for it. Love that does justice, love that transforms, love that is the heart of the church's mission are all the many sides of the encyclical.
It is the year of social concerns. Our bishops declared so. In their own words: it is the year to teach, to appropriate, and to implement the social doctrine of the church as contained in the compendium of the social doctrine of the church. We are called to build a civilization of love – a society more human, more worthy of the human person.
We commit ourselves to a three fold program of pastoral action: building character, building capacity, and building community. The year of social concerns is the year under the auspices of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It is the 150th year of the Feast of the Sacred Heart instituted by Pius IX in 1856 and the 50th year of Pius XII encyclical Hauretis Aquas, on the Sacred Heart. After all, all Christian social concerns and programs flow out of the Heart of Jesus.
It is along these historical-theological lines that we gather this evening in the Bahay Pari of the Diocese of Balanga under the guidance and care of Bishop Socrates Villegas.
Three objectives to our third general assembly
First, is to build communion among ourselves through fellowship and celebration. The truth of church is that it is community of friends – people who walk the way of Jesus. Kung gagamitin ko salita ay bayanihan. Tulungan—suportahan. Nakikinig sa bawat isa—sabay sabay na naglalakbay.
Second, is to create a structure of communion in the service of catechesis. This is the creation of the Association of Catechetical Centers and Colleges with Religious Education. Its main objective is sharing and support of best practices and training ground for trainers of catechists and campus ministers and pastoral workers.
Third, is to take an introspective look at ourselves as formators and trainers in light of the central message that we are tasked to proclaim. We ask ourselves a question: Church, are we living up to your expectations? Are we truly and really the authentic training ground for catechists, religion teachers and campus ministers? What are the verifiable indicators that flow out of the standards set by the Church for our institutions? Do we have a checklist of what a good center is and ought to be?
May these days be events of grace for us—a time of planting for a future that begins now!
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