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Latest on Fri, 01:49 pm: frpicx@gmail.com and cbcp_bec@yahoo.com.ph po.
: Hi! Ms. Lorrie... Thank you so much po, para sainyong magandang offer. Pero dapat po sa diocese o parish level of social action center or [...]
: Gil, that article was written in 2011. The National Gathering referred in the article was held in Taytay in October 2011. Our latest data was [...]
: Dear Nancy, the GKK song is already in this website (under Video - Awit sa GKK, on the left side). This can also be accessed [...]
: Please read the articles in our website. You will find the answers there.
» Please post your comments and questions here!
Hi to everyone, Have a good day and God bless you all.
Hi Nani. Thanks for helping me registered in this website. I hope to interact actively and share my learning experiences in BEC. God bless us all.
I am a graduat studen in religious studies who wish to know if we have a BEC that is engage/d in an interreligious dialogue between Christians and Muslim? If so where? What diocese, parish. Please give contact persons and their phone numbers. God bless! Thanks
Hi Jaime,
The best example of BECs engaged in Christian-Muslim dialogue can be found in Nalapaan, Pikit parish, archdiocese of Cotabato. It was organized by Fr. Bert Layson, OMI but he is no longer there and I don’t know who is the new priest in charge. For more info, you can contact Archbishop Orlando Quevedo via his email address: abpquevedo@yahoo.com.
is it alright to conduct a research for my dissertation regarding “the impact of the BEC as an avenue for spritual growth and Eschatological redemption? I am just inquiring if there is any duplication of the said topic. thanks and God bless
Sure, Vincent. I haven’t come across a similar topic.
Dear Maryann, sorry I don’t have that information
I like this webpage, cause I need more knowledge about BEC so that I can express more to our parish being the over-all coordinator.
good pm,,, may i ask father if what is the function of BEC’s and WESTY officers? thank you farther…
Maganda at may website din pala ang BEC at malaking tulong po ito sa on going updates. Ang tanong ko lang po bakit ganoon, 14 years ng BEC lay worker ang kilala ko pero wala man lang philhealth, SSS at sahod na 5thou lang, samantalang ang Social action worker na di man immersed sa community ay napakataas ng sahod at kumpleto sa materials like computer at mga transpo allowance, ano po ba pinakamagandang gawin? pakiusap po itago na lang po name ko? nais ko lang po maliwanagan .Salamat po.
Ang pagbubuo ng BEC ay hindi hanapbuhay o trabaho ngunit isang misyon – kaya karamihan sa kasapi ng parish BEC formation team ay part-time volunteers na may ibang pinagkakitaan. Ang iba binibigyan ng allowances at operational expenses. May mga parokya na may isa o dalawa na full-time paid pastoral workers at 30 to 40 part-time volunteers. Depende na sa parokya kung magkano ang makakaya para sa full-time pastoral workers – dapat sapat pero hindi ito ituring na hanapbuhay na pagmatagalan.
Fr. Picx, san po kayo pwede madalaw? Nasa Diocese of Caloocan po ba kayo?
Fr. Picx, are there different approaches in BEC? Just wondering if a Cell Group is different from a Bible Sharing Group? Medyo po kasi nalilito kami. May nagsasabi po kasi na iba ang approach sa BEC pero dito posa amin kasi parang Bible Sharing Group po kami which ginagawa na po namin sa ibang grupo tulad nang Charismatic at Couples for Christ…
While a BEC cell has regular bible-sharing, it is not merely a bible-sharing group. It is more than that. It is neighborhood-based community where the members interact regularly, are close to one another, pray together, share the Word of God, actively involved in evangelization and catechesis, and in social action. I advise that you read my articles explaining what BECs are in this website. By the way my office is at the 3rd floor CBCP building – but I’m always traveling around the Philippines assisting dioceses in BEC promotion and formation.
good pm dre, as I know from your article that forming a BEC is not optional. So, my ist question is; is this mandated? next question, if it is mandated why other Diocese is not implementing and supporting it?
I’m hopping your answer. Thank you & God Bless You.
It is decree coming from the PCP II, not a suggestion or recommendation. It takes time to fully implement BEC – although majority are already implementing it.
Hello po! May i ask kung ano po yung definition ninyo ng Bible Sharing? Thanks po in advance..
Ric, the bible-sharing is when members of a group or community come together to listen to the Word of God (a particular passage from the bible/gospel), reflect on it (what it means for them in relation to their life/situation) and then share their reflection with one another. It is not a bible-study or a time for debate. It usually begins with an opening hymn/prayer. After the reading there is usually a period of silent reflection. After the sharing, a prayer of petition follows, then the final prayer of thanksgiving. There is also a bible-sharing method where the group after the sharing of reflection can discuss what actions need to be undertaken based on the readings and what they have shared. The bible-sharing is one of the regular activities of BECs – especially the neighborhood cells or family groupings. Other groups (non-BECs) can also use bible-sharing.
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Mayrong upcoming events ngayong September 16-19 tungkol sa BEC, at gusto ko sana maka-attend ngunit papaano kaya kasi sa aming Diocese hindi pa kasi ipinapatupad ang BEC ngunit kami sa aming parokya naporma na ang BEC kaya lang humihina dahil sa kulang sa suporta galing Diocese. Papaano kaya para maka-attend sa upcoming event ngayong September? Thank you.
Isaias, ang makadalo sa Sept 16-19 ay official delegates lang ng bawat diocese – ang priest director at lay o religious coordinator. May invitation na na pinadala sa obispo at BEC priest in charge sa bawat diocese.
Thank you Fr. Picx, hope that Fr. Chito Lozada will be sent this gathering, but I’m not sure also cause our diocese here in Talibon BEC is not implemented yet. But in our Parish we are BEC organized without the support of the Diocese, that’s why we encountered problem like what is written in your article about problem & concerns.
Dre, good evening. Is it ok for you if I collect some topics of your article that I use to insert during our seminar here in our BEC? Actually, we will conducted a BEC enrichment seminar this coming July 20 and this seminar is initiated by me as member of the Parish Formation and the President of our Parish BEC. Thank you.
Hi Isaias, you have permission to use whatever you find useful here. I’m glad to know that you find the articles in the website for your seminar.
Dre, good evening gusto unta mangayo sa tono sa kantang “Munting Sambayanang Kristiyano” ug lyrics sa BEC theme song. Salamat
Ok, ako ipadala by email
Dear Fr. Picardial,
Si Joefel po ito, isang parish pastoral worker po sa Patronage of St. Joseph Parish sa pototan, Iloilo dito sa Archdiocese of Jaro. Sa limtado man po naming kaalaman dito ay nagsisikap kami na makapag buo ng BEC sa aming parokya. Malaking bagay at sumuporta dito ang aming kura paroko. Sa kasalukuyan ay nasa yugto pa lang kami ng pagbubuo ng pastoral plan namin na mula noon ay wala nito sa aming Parokya. dahil may background ako ng konti sa NGO work ay sinisikap naming maging participatory ito.
Kumukuha kami ng idea sa iba’t ibang documents pati na rin ang galing sa mga sulat ninyo. Isa sa mga kinuhanan namin ay ang kina Sr. Julma Neo, DC, ang kay Dean Dicen ng PCLM at iba pang ibinabahagi naman ng sa Jaro Archdiocesan Pastoral secretariat.(Karamihan ula sa Bukal ng Tipan)
Hangad sana namin na maimbitahan ka para magbigay ng talk sa amin dito. Itataon sana natin sa Laity Week. September 28 ang target naming Parish Congress pero gusto namin na ang pagpunta mo dito ay gagawin naming Vicariate level na aktibidad at relatively naiinfluence na rin ang mga katabing parokya. So maaring bago mag siguro mag Sept 28 para higit na makatulong ito sa formation namin.
Inaasahan ko po ang inyong pagtugon. Maari po akong magpadala ng ibang materils namin dito para higit na maunawaan ninyo ang context namin. Maraming alamat po.
joefel
Hi Joefel, ang aking papel bilang executive secretary ng CBCP-BEC BEC Committee ay makipag-coordinate sa diocesan BEC directors at magbigay ng “formation sessions” para sa mga pastoral workers/formation teams sa diocesan o vicariate level. Papel ng diocesan BEC director at diocesan BEC formation teams sa pagtulong pag-bigay ng training sa mga parish formation teams sa parish level. Ang pagbuo ng BEC kasi ay diocesan BEC program na at ang bawat diocese ay may sariling “approach” sa pagbuo ng BEC. Kaya mas maigi na uunahin ninyo pag-imbita kay Fr. Robert Amalay o kay Msgr. Joemarie Delgado (consultant ng CBCP-BEC Committee). Kung hindi sila available saka na ninyo ako imbitahin na may pahintulot galing sa parish priest at diocesan BEC director (Fr. Amalay). HIndi kasi ako basta-basta makapasok sa mga parokya unless may coordination at pahintulot sa diocesan level.
Salamat sa pagtugon Fr. Picardial.
Tuloy tuloy naman po ang pag iimbita namin kina Fr. Robert at nagbibigay sila ng formation sessions sa Parish Formation Team namin. Ganun din Si Msgr. Delgado ay nagbibigay din ng talk sa amin. Actually babalik siya sa August 17 para magbigay pa uli sa parish assembly ito. Kaya sa tingin namin ay napapanahon na rin na maimbitahan kayo para makapagpalawak din sa pananaw naming mga Layko.
Noong nakaraang taon ay inimbitahan din namin si Archbishop Lagdameo at Bishop Alminaza nang maibahagi namin ang inabot ng aming pagsisikap at nagbigay sila ng kanilang mga pananaw. Ganun din si Fr. Robert Amalay.
Magpapadala na lang siguro kami ng pormal na imbitasyon para sa inyo matapos i coordinate kay Fr. Robert. Maraming salamat po.
Ok, Joefel. Before you send me a formal invitation in the future just contact me through my cellphone (texting) to make sure about my availability on the dates you are planning. I will be meeting Fr. Robert and Mgr. Joemarie on September 16-19 for the National Gathering of Diocesan BEC Directors & Coordinators. If you are planning your parish BEC congress around the last week of September, I will still be free. My schedules for October to December are already full.
Fr. Picx, this is ben alforque, msc. Mahimo ba naay observer o mo-cover sa assembly like the Communication Foundation for Asia?
Hi Ben, kumusta – balik na diay ka sa Pilipinas? Dili pa ni ang BEC National Assembly (2015 pa na mahitabo). Panagtigum lang ni sa mga diocesan BEC directors ug coordinators (2 from each diocese). Gawas sa updates, sharing of experiences sa mga delegates, naa poy initial planning para sa National BEC assembly. Busa dili gyud ni dako nga event. Kung gusto nga mo-cover and CFA pwede man pero live-out lang kay moral dili mi makapasig ug accomodation kay 160 ray ma-accomodate and Holy Retreat House sa Cebu ug priority ang mga delegates.
Greetings of peace,gd mrng. Father Amado L. Picardal thanks for the message about integral formation daghan kaayo m nakat onan, very interesting ou4 heartfelt thanks very respectfully , in christ sis virginia bec member
Good morning fr. Picx. Salamat kaayo sa imong pagtugot nga gamiton ang imong article mahitungod sa problem and concern ug ang mga kinahanglan parporma ug malahutayong BEC kay dako kaayo ug gitabang aron malinawan ang katawhan sa among parokya kabahin sa BEC. Human sa akong gipahigayon nga BEC enrichment seminar niadtong Julyo 20, aduna nay kausaban ang katawhan sa among parokya. Salamat gyod kaayo dre. Ang imong gi-email nako nga mga module ako nang gihinayhinay ug gamit aron sa paglahotay sa among BEC sa parokya. thanx again dre.
gud am fr pics, madayaon ba atong national gathering karon september 16-19, 2013? naa participant gikan sa san pedro parish pagadian city nga moattend. pila man kabook ang puede moattend sa maong conference?
Jim, madayon ang national gathering. only 2 delegates from each diocese – ang diocesan BEC director (si Fr. Rico ang sa Pagadian) ug ang diocesan lay o religious coordinator. ako pang pangitaon sa files ang modules sa leadership training.
Hello, Pickx. Yup, balik na ko. Pa-update lang ta ko ba kumusta na ang BEC nato dinhi..para pud sa ako re-integration ug unsay matabang sa CFA..salamat sa tubag ha. Ayo-ayo ug amping kanunay diha… asa ka based karon?
Hi Ben, ang akong office naa sa CBCP building sa Intramuros (3rd floor) ug naa ko sa Redemptorist Baclaran nagpuyo. Didto ka sa Marigondon Aug. 6 – mitambong sa Vicariate BEC assembly sa mga parishes nga gidumala sa MSC. Buhi kaayo sila. So kita-kita ra to kun motambong ka sa National Gathering of Diocesan BEC directors and coordinators. Ikaw na lay bahalag pangitag katulgan.
bitaw, bayPickx, interesado kayo ko maminaw ug makat-on sa Dagan sa atong bec ug church of the poor. Ok ra sa akong mangita’g katulgan, basta makat-on lang.
fatherpicx, pwedi ko malaman kung sino ang mga representative dito sa Diocese sa Talibon, Bohol para sa gatherings sa BEC karong September 16-19? thanx.
Isaias, we don’t have the name of the Talibon diocesan BEC director or coordinator in our directory, so we sent the invitation to the bishop of Talibon and to the vicar general (Mgr Renegado). It is up to them who they will send. We are still waiting for them to confirm their participation in this event. But if as you said – BEC is not a pastoral priority or thrust of the diocese – it is doubtful if your diocese will be represented. I hope they will be able to send delegates. You can ask your parish priest if he knows if the diocese is sending delegates, if there are none – your parish priest and you can ask the bishop’s blessing to attend this gathering.
we want to post our activities event on our gkkk but how pls help us this fron san lorenzo ruiz parish davao
Just send us by email a write-up about your activities (Word file) and also pictures (jpeg file) and we will be the one to upload it in the website. address it to our email address: cbcp_bec@yahoo.com.ph or amadopicardal@yahoo.com. just attach the Word files and jpg file to your message.
BECs in the Philippines mp4 will surely help the newly formed BECs on how to improve each BEC not only spiritually but also in improving the lives of its members physically and economically.
Salamat kaayo, Pickx, sa kahigayonan nga makapaminaw ug makahimamat sa BEC ug mga lumilihok niining panahona. Enjoy ko. Salamat sa imong panahon! Kon nia na ka sa Manila, kita ta!
We’re trying to rejuvenate the BEC in Sto. Nino de Tondo Parish. We actually have a handful number of volunteer youth catechist,but we need several continuous formation by priests. From Sto. Nino de Tondo Parish.
The BEC talks about organizing, helping people with their lives. It talks about improving the human being, humans as the centre of the world. Nothing bad about that.
But does it still carry on the true Church’s mission which is the salvation of the souls?
Does it still preach the true teachings of our Lord, the teachings of the Gospel, the church?
Does it teach people the true teachings of the church against contraception, divorce, etc.
Does priests promoting and organizing BECs still teach the doctrines of the church on salvation, on the Blessed Virgin Mary, on the Incarnation, on the ten commandments, on the Sacraments, on the Holy Sacrifice of the mass?
Remember that our Lord didn’t come here to make us live comfortable lives. He didn’t come to give us more lands, more medicines, more eggs and more harvest. He came to save us from our sins.
From the looks of it, the BEC is an extention of those of promote the communist idea of ‘liberation theology’ in the 70′s–which puts man as the center of everything. Which in turn deviates from the true message of Christ.
Mark, the promotion of BECs is the thrust of the 2nd Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II) and the CBCP. We do not promote any communist idea nor deviate from the true message of Christ. The BECs continue the thrust to PCP II which is Renewed Integral Evangelization – which includes renewed worship, renewed catechesis, renewed social apostolate. The BECs continue to remain faithful to the teachings of the Church and the Magisterium. The mission of the Church is the total and integral salvation of human beings – body and soul. Your insinuation that BECs are promoting communist ideas is false and unfounded.
Fr. Pickx, how can I get a copy of your National BEC Profile? Salamat daan.
Hi Fr. Picx, does BEC have programs for Dialogues for the Muslim communities? Thanks
Dear Erdman,
There are some BECs in predominantly Muslim areas that are engaged in dialogue of life and faith. In Pikit, North Cotabato, Fr. Bert Layson helped facilitate a dialogue in Nalapaa among the BECs, Muslim communities and Lumad communities which resulted in the creation of space for peace (this was long before the MILF-Government peace agreement). The prelature of Marawi has been promoting Christian-Muslim dialogue at the grassroots level – that would involved the BECs.
Hi Fr. Picx… thanks for the immediate response… I am here in Chicago Theological Union and is hoping to finish my Doctorate Paper on BEC and the Interreligious Dialogue… Do we have documents on these? If we do have… I might have to rethink of my topic… DO you have some documents like published books about the BEC in the Philippines?
there are some published books about BECs in the Philippines. The list of books in the library of the CBCP-BEC office is posted in our website.
Hi Fr. Picx, do you have an email address of the priest assigned in Pikit and Nalapaa? Posibli kaya padre na magconduct ako ng isang participant observation research on those BEC areas? Thanks po…
Sorry, I don’t have their email address. I am not sure if Fr. Bert Layson is still assigned in Pikit. I supposed you can do participant observation in Nalapaan and other parts of Cotabato where BECs are engaged in interreligious dialogue. The best person to contact is Cardinal Orlando Quevedo himself. You can ask Abp Tony arrange this with him.
Here are some links about Nalapaan that might be helpful.
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/19896126/Christian-Muslim-Dialogue-in-Min
http://www.asianchristianreview.org/acr_pdf/acr_pdf_0202-03_08picardal.pdf
Fr. Picx,
Thank you for posting a link of my article on BEC and Economics of Compassion. Hope I can still be of help in promoting the cause and thrust of BEC for total human development. I’ve been awarded with a funding grant to finally work on the practical feasibility of a BEC-based Economics of Compassion having selected BECs in the Diocese of Boac as primary respondent and case study. It would be at least a year-long research study.
Best,
Willard Macaraan
Willard, your research is a valuable contribution to the growth of BECs in the Philippines. Please share with us the results of your studies in the future.
Amor, a BEC session guide is usually produced by the diocese or the parish.
Hi Sister Lydia, we don’t have a separate BEC primer for school setting. Strictly speaking, BECs are local, geographical communities in the neighborhood and villages and part of the structure of the parish. Schools are institutions rather than local communities. However, students and faculty may adopt the BEC culture and technology – they can come together to pray and share the Word of God but that does not make them BEC already. BECs are not just prayer groups or bible-sharing groups. The students and faculty should be involved in their own BECs in the local communities or neighborhood.
Irene, this is a link to the Lumko Institute. ttp://en.pastoral-global.org/index.php/LUMKO_Institute . The Lumko method is an approach to forming BECs/SCCs which emerged in Africa. This has been adopted by the FABC for Asia and renamed AsIPA (Asian Integral Pastoral Approach).
Hi Che, there is no list of CBCP approved program for BEC members – every diocese and parish has the freedom to come up with their own program without needing an approval from the CBCP. Just go to the National BEC profile and you will find the common BEC activities and programs.
Hi Eden, please specify what images you need.
Riza, just read the articles and posts in this website – it will answer your question about Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs)
Historically, BECs emerged within the womb of the parish – formed through the initiative of the parish priest and the parish formation team and part of the diocesan pastoral program. BECs are an integral part of the parish – at the barangay and neighborhood level. The parish is regarded as a communion of small Christian communities, a network of BECs. They are the basic pastoral unit of the parish, while led by lay leaders are directly under the authority of the parish priest. So trans-parochial communities, although they have similar dynamics as BECs (fellowship, bible-sharing/prayer meeting) are strictly speaking not considered as BECs. Transparochial communities have their own organizational structure and lines of authority and not directly under the authority of the parish priest although they have to coordinate and can be regulated by the bishop/parish priest in so far as they operate within the parish.
yes, all these are aspects of BECs. As to the HOW please read the various articles and diocesan BEC profile since your question cannot be answered by just one sentence or paragraph.
You can send observers. Please send us their names for pre-registration purposes. Our email address: cbcp_bec@yahoo.com.ph.
Please read the articles in our website. You will find the answers there/
Please read the articles in our website. You will find the answers there.
Dear Nancy, the GKK song is already in this website (under Video – Awit sa GKK, on the left side). This can also be accessed in the Youtube (type Awit sa GKK in the search).
Fr Picx
Gil, that article was written in 2011. The National Gathering referred in the article was held in Taytay in October 2011. Our latest data was released recently during the National BEC Assembly held in Manila in Nov 11-14, 2015.
Hi! Ms. Lorrie… Thank you so much po, para sainyong magandang offer. Pero dapat po sa diocese o parish level of social action center or ministry for social service. it cannot be centralized at the national level. So, lapit po kayo ma’am sa diocesan-social action center/Caritas o sa parish niyo po mismo.
frpicx@gmail.com and cbcp_bec@yahoo.com.ph po.