by Dionisia E. Embuido
San Fabian, Pangasinan – 14 August 2011. The Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, held a one-day gathering of the different communities or Cenacles in the parish. The gathering was called “BEC Day” held at the Parish Center of the parish.
The Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) of the parish are also called Cenacles of the Divine Mercy because of the devotion of the communities to the Divine Mercy. (See “Formation of BECs through the Devotion of the Divine Mercy” – ed.).
Basic, Ecclesial, Community
The gathering of the different communities began with the reflection of Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, the parish priest, on the vision of the parish regarding the BEC. He reflected on the three fundamental meanings of the words "BEC”.
He said that the Cenacles are communities composed of different members, and are neighbors to one another. “One” cannot be a community; but “where two or three are gathered in Jesus’ name” is a community. The basic members are families, the smallest community. They are the church. “You belong to the church; we are the church”, Father Mendoza reminded the BECs.
The communities then broke into groups to reflect on the present situation of the different communities. They asked themselves what they could do to better improve their communities regarding their membership, celebration of the Eucharist, reflection on the Word of God and their livelihood opportunities.
The Cenacle Resolutions: “Saray Paknaan”
After the sharing their reflections, the cenacles came out with very concrete resolutions, which they called “Paknaan”, their “Promises”:
Saray Paknaan na BEC-Cenacle na Parokya na San Fabian, Papa tan Martir:
Siak so kabiangan na BEC-Cenacle na Divine Mercy, sirin:
- Anggapo so paolyan kon miembro na Cenacle ko.
- Mabonlok ak ya mangiter parad Cenacle ko, laut la ed say oras tan panaon ko.
- Mandasal ak ed inagew-agew na Chaplet na Divine Mercy.
- Pablien ko so Salita’y Dios diad pambasak na Biblia ed inagew-agew.
- Awiten ko so Bibliak ed oras na Cenacle mi kada simba.
- Ibilay ko so nanpapaknaan ya “Word of Life” ed kada simba.
- Mimisa ak! Masakbay ak. Mantanggoyor ak na kaibak ya mimisa.
Ten Zone BEC-Cenacle Coordinators
The communities divided the parish into ten zones. They then chose from among themselves 10 coordinators who would meet every 3rd Sunday in the Parish to better coordinate and make concrete plans and programs for the BEC-Cenacles.
Bro. Antonio Supremido, the parish BEC coordinator, facilitated the gathering.
Ms. Dionisia E. Embuido is a regular news contributor of the parish website. She is at present a Grade 4 teacher at the East Central Elementary School (San Fabian), and a member of the Feeding Program of the parish. – ed.