The Synod: A Special Issue
The
The Synod: A Special Issue
The Paraclete
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Communion, Participation, Mission
PARACLETE Parish of the Holy Spirit, BF Homes, Quezon City
January 2022
Our Synodal Journey POPE FRANCIS OFFICIALLY launched the 2021-2023 Synod on Synodality in a Mass he officiated on October 10, 2021 at St. Peter’s Basilica. It was attended by 3,000 faithful. In his homily, Pope Francis emphasized that he was convening a process where we discern “in adoration, in prayer, and dialogue with the Word of God.” He said this is not to be another “Church convention, a study group, or a political gathering, a parliament.” Instead, it is intended to be a truly “grace-filled event, a process of healing guided by the Spirit.” Citing the rich man in Mark 10:17-24, he asked everyone to “empty ourselves, to free ourselves from all that is worldly, including our inward-looking and outworn pastoral models” in order to discover God’s message to His Church now and in which direction He would like to lead it. The Synod of Bishops is scheduled on October 2023. In the Philippines, the Bishops expressed their readiness for the Synod of Communion, Participation, and Mission. CBCP President (Davao Archbishop) Romulo Valles announced on October 17, 2021 a pre-synodal consultation lasting up to February 11, 2022. “What will happen in the next months? We will gather together in small circles in parishes, schools, and basic ecclesial communities to pray together and ask the Spirit to lend us His eyes and mind and heart. We will look at two landscapes not with our eyes but with the eyes of the Lord,” Archbishop Valles said. He also said the “two landscapes” that the Church will be looking at are those of “How is our Church within” and “How is the Church together with the entire human family.” The synodal consultation setup calls for the collation of all data by each Diocese. The CBCP will then conduct a 3-day national assembly on March 7 until 9, 2022 and come up with a national report to the Synod General Secretariat by April 2022. (Sources: https://catholicnews.sg/2021/10/15/the-symbolism-of-the-synod-logo/ and https://rcam.org/philippine-dioceses-launch-consultations-for-2023-synod-on-synodality/) Ate Gel Rivera’s Scientific Seize The word “synod” originates from the Ancient Greek “súnodos” or “assembly.” The theme for the gathering in 2023 is “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.” The process would have three phases. In the Philippines, the diocesan and national phases would be from October 17, 2021 to April 22, 2022; the continental phase in September 2022 until March 2023. The Synod of Bishops will be the final phase in October 2023. This Synod is inspired by the Gospel of Luke’s (24:13-35) “Road to Emmaus” story in which the resurrected Jesus listened to and accompanied His two disciples (who did not recognize Him, for they were distraught at His crucifixion and death) on their way to Emmaus. The approach is similar - listening and accompanying will be used from the grassroots (smaller ecclesial circles) up. In plainer language, all would be consulted, with special focus
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on the marginalized groups. Our diocesan bishop, Roberto Gaa, officially conducted the consultations in Novaliches and had Msgr. Jesus Romulo Rañada as the leader of the Synodal Path Coordinating Team. Msgr. Rañada’s team is composed of all states of life: the clergy, the laity, and the religious. The results from the first two phases would be used for setting the future (doctrinal and pastoral) directions of the Church. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we (at the grassroots) discern what we see that affirms or obstructs us from being Christ’s followers. Those present in the consultations will be the mouthpieces of those who were not. As we discern, we remember that we are not alone. Like the two disciples in the Emmaus epistle, God is with us in this journey. The only difference being the disciples did not know at the outset, we did. Hearing of the Synod, Ate Gel Rivera said, “It’s about time.” She cited the Vatican II reforms which, in the Philippines, took a turning point in 1991 - twenty-six years later. We may have seen liturgical reforms but Vatican II’s doctrinal affirmations and pastoral reforms remained only in theological debates and did not seep enough in Catholic universities, parishes, and families. When the Filipino bishops convened for the Second Plenary Council to contextualize the reforms of Vatican II (especially for the pastoral direction), her polite question was if they reached the grassroots. The Gospel cannot be wrong as it is timeless, she professes, but there must be a rethinking of the methods and approaches of delivering Christ’s teachings. She surmised that Pope Francis must have seen the challenges of listening and careful discernment. Not all realities are the same, however, so they must be discerned according to their uniqueness. The approach from the smallest to the highest ecclesial communities gives meaning to decentralization. The October 11, 2023 start of the final phase of the Synod coincides with the feast day of St. John XXIII, who convened Vatican II. Surely, Pope Francis seeks the intercession of the good late pope for the success of the whole process. We would be well advised to include in our prayers that fruition, too. AMQAH’s (Association of Mary, Queen of All Hearts) Affirmation In an Advent Recollection, Montfortian Missionary Fr. Sherwin Nuñez, chose for his theme “Living Out the Vision of a Synodal Church: Journeying in Communion from Darkness to Light.” He said Advent is a period of waiting but what are we supposed to do in place of the celebrations of the Church which we are so used to already and, therefore, neglect because of familiarity. He decided to use the lenses of the synod to realize, see, and be guided by our reflections of and meditations on it for the rest of Advent. We might add - and beyond! Like, what is our role in a synodal Church? How, then, do we journey with the people of God? By listening to one another and to the Holy Spirit, because a synodal Church is a missionary structure whose doors are open, a prophetic sign, and a most evident way to be the universal sacrament of salvation. Like the Gospel, the coming of Christ is healing the sick and not leaving them behind. Not choosing the lesser evil but one who is not, and has no evil. Listening is the first step to dialogue and decisions. When we listen to, dialogue with, and decide for/(with) our neighbors, especially the poor, we journey with them. Continued on page 4
“I was not aware of such a directive from the Vatican and am surprised. I’m glad that the Catholic Church has become more open and inclusive to collaboration and mutual listening and for this to happen at the parish level is truly encouraging.” (Annie Francisco, Sweet-toothed BF Resident)
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A GLIMPSE OF THE SYNOD IN THE MORNING of November 4, 2021, Sacristan Jessie informed me that Rev. Fr. Mario S. Sanchez, our parish priest, would submit my name to the Diocese as the Parish Contact Person. Thinking that the task would only be as the title suggests, i.e., a parish contact person acting as a link to assist communication, the designation was readily accepted. There was no inkling that it was about the synodal process until a few minutes later when the sacristan forwarded a profile form from the Synodal Path Diocesan Coordinating Office indicating such designation. At past one o’clock in the afternoon of the same day, the secretariat sent a message thanking me for accepting the invitation and mission to be the contact person in our parish and giving notice of the orientation at two o’clock. The orientation was presided over by Msgr. Romulo Rañada of the Synodal Path Coordinating Team of the Diocese of Novaliches. We were asked to set two dates for the consultative gathering. An initial report was made to our parish priest on the following prospective participants: 1-2. Parish Priest and Assistant Parish Priest. 3-5. PPC Chair, PPC Treasurer, and PPC Secretary. 6-37. PPC Officials/Ministries (MOW, LOM, DMI, DMA, BEC, EMHC, MBG, and PREX) with three nominees each in addition to the Ministry Head or four representatives from each. 38-51. BF Homeowners Association/Zone Directors 52-60. Religious (Holy Spirit Sisters, Conceptionist Sisters, and St. Mary Providence Sisters with three representatives each). 61-76. Four representatives from each of the following: Granwood Villas, North Susana Executive Village, Intramuros Village, and Santo Niño de Leyte. 77-86. BF Mobile Palengke (preferablynon-Catholics c/o Ms. Bing Pascual). When copies of the guidebook for the synodal process became available on November 25, prospective participants were invited in a letter dated November 27, 2021. Replacements for the prospective applicants who manifested unavailability, or sent regrets, and returned the guidebook were chosen with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The return of the guidebook was necessary to invite replacements for those who were not available because the order for additional copies could no longer be placed. When my son Regi was informed about my task to take
charge of the online synodal sessions and my plan to make a zoom subscription for the purpose, he offered to assist and allow the use of his zoom account. His wife Cey and my PHILJA Executive Assistant Wyeth also offered to assist in the technical aspect of the sessions. On December 11 and 30, the online sessions were conducted in response to the call of Pope Francis for synodality or involvement, and participation of the whole people of God in the life and mission of the church on the following ten themes: Companions on the Journey, Listening, Speaking Out, Celebration, Sharing Responsibility for our Common Mission, Church and Society, Ecumenism, Authority and Participation, Discerning and Deciding, and Forming Ourselves in Synodality. The synodal process was an opportunity to talk openly about experiences with the local church — whether they be stories that made us feel grateful for the current situation of the church, or those that made us want to speak out and hope for future changes. The gathering was not only for the church people and those active in church; but also for those who left the church, those who belong to other faith-based communities, and those far from the church or even from God. The guidebook on the synodal process provides three questions for each of the ten themes. To facilitate discussion and recording of the participants’ answers during the small group sessions, power point slides were created for the two questions under Listening to One Another for the December 11 session, separately from the third question under Listening to the Holy Spirit for the December 30 session. The participation of the facilitators, recorders, and discussants has greatly contributed to the success of the synodal process, for which they deserve at least “beyond thank you” mementos. It bears noting that thirteen young participants ably handled the task of session recorders, one of whom did the synthesis of the summary reports on the December 11 and 30 sessions excellently well and made possible the submission of the parish working paper on time. The diocesan and national phases will run until April 2022. The continental phase will follow until March 2023, culminating with the universal church phase (Rome) in October 2023. Indeed, doing everything in love for the glory of God becomes a pleasure. (Thelma Ponferrada) TP
4 From page 2 Our Synodal Journey Facilitating the Faithful
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Ate Thelma Ponferrada sent invites for the Parish Synodal Consultation. The participants were divided into groups headed by a facilitator, with representatives from the youth acting as recorders; it was emphasized that the young may speak freely and will not be mere secretaries. The consultations were strictly online. From the plenary, the groups went into their own breakout rooms for them to share their answers to questions which were given in advance through workbooks for proper reflection and preparation. Therefore, on December 11, the first ten themes of the small group sessions were laid out. I’ve attended many zoom meetings in my senior life but this could be the most orderly virtual assembly ever. Each theme had three questions but only the first two (“Listening to one Another”) were to be answered on December 11, based on personal experience and insight. The third was to be answered in the December 30 consultation because, aptly, this question (“Listening to the Holy Spirit”) springs from answers to the first two, to propose steps to move the Church forward. Between these dates, we were encouraged to discern, and pray for, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that we may be properly directed. We found out it was easy to get carried away, especially when the focus turned to problems of the Church, the personalities that comprise her (Yes! including our priests and lay leaders!), the faithful. This process was aimed to unearth personal feelings and there were many - sadness, joy, disappointment, hope. We were asked to listen and listen we did; we spoke when nudged by the Spirit (therefore, courageously), assured there was no wrong answer and subject only to time constraints (even if, according to Ate Marie Tanate, it was strictly a do-not-interrupt sharing, albeit free-flowing). At times, we just could not say enough (it was the first rare time, mind!) - and time was up. God, indeed, was the author of the consultations. He made sure that the temptation to feast on non-essentials was curtailed; those with the tendency felt chastised, not offended. The Syntheses There were only a few journeyers in each group. There were thirteen groups but we knew what were discussed in all because we were provided with Syntheses ably prepared by Ate Gel. I will not bore the reader with superlatives and note instead that the artistic summaries are spread in this Special Issue. From Vatican II to the Covid crisis, God was and is in us. He touched the Pope to alleviate His people’s suffering by calling the bishops to claim good out of a world gripped and compelled by fear to get closer together and be human families again. And, while huddled, call, choose, and include them in a gathering of Church leaders and lay, and discuss, dialogue with one another and the Holy Spirit, keep the plague at bay, and pray, that the synodal process divert our anxiety towards a holy, worthy activity. Mayhap set aside the exclusivity of comfort zones (by denying the toll of the outbreak, because admission may be weakness), reach out to kindred misery and find company, walk with the Church and her people of God. With the Pope’s initiative, the bishops gave their heart and mind in agreement to the rightness of the synodal path. It was our turn to listen – and discern – a similar course of action. Thank God we did. Amen. (Abraham de la Torre) TP “As we continue to search for meaning and purpose in our life and strive to make sense of what is happening in the world – pandemic, mutating virus, senseless deaths, economic activity slowdown, human conflict, threat of war, missile firing, devastating typhoons, pretentious political candidates and incompetent leaders who are idolized by the masses, among others, the message is clear: REBUILD OUR CHURCH, THE WORLD IS IN RUINS. Consequently, we must keep the FAITH, maintain HOPE, exercise CHARITY, spread LOVE.” (Atty. Roberto M. Sison, PREX Graduate) “This synodal process is an eye-opener for all of us who are called to evangelization. I hope and pray that the Holy Spirit ignites within us the passion and drive to bring God’s ever merciful love to the peripheries.” (Kiko Perez, Student, ADMU)
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The Findings and Recommendations of the Synodal Consultations THESE ARE bare-bones (the full report to the Diocese is more than fifty pages long) but one inside the Church will understand this outline. Yes, even those who have veered (“left behind” in the themes) will see why they have taken that direction. Surely, there are problems but there is a strong resolve to find solutions and a firm intention to implement them, including encouraging people back into the Church. There is hunger to know more of God and His Word and this reverberates across many themes. “The synodal discussions were feelings that did not worry being expressed. It is hoped and prayed that the eagerness with which the process was exercised (but will take two years to be realized) be followed through to not die a natural death.” (Milagros Mendoza, PREX Luminary)
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”It was a spiritually invigorating experience. Being able to hear and share the others’ and my own thoughts and insights not only on the current state of our parish but also on broader issues we face as a church gave me time to reflect and gratitude to feel that we are consulted in this important matter.” (Luke Due, Altar Server) “The synodal process was a learning experience where problems hounding the Church and solutions given were discussed. I hope the best solutions get to be implemented at least at the Parish level.” (Jun Due, EMHC)
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“It is a profoundly edifying experience for the Holy Spirit to have called me to be part of this Synodal process, as it was the perfect response to the deep cravings of my heart and soul that my voice be heard even in a miniscule way after listening to others with similar spiritual concerns about our Catholic faith. The open and deliberate comments, opinions, and recommendations sincerely and, at times, courageously made by persons of diverse backgrounds and levels of spirituality and faith that were shared during the two consultative sessions left me no doubt that, with an efficient and properly consolidated synthesis of the significant output of this global exercise, guided by the Holy Spirit, this would provide a meaningful paradigm or framework for unifying the efforts of all in the attainment of Pope Francis’ heartfelt desire for the image of the Church as a genuine Pilgrim People of God.” (Atty. Carmelita Y. Sison, PREX Graduate)
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“The Synodal consultation signals the period of enlightenment and empowerment of the Christian community. It opened two-way channels of communication and active participation of parishioners and lay workers to more cooperation among one another.” (Volet Rojas, PPC Coordinator, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Chapel [North Susana Executive Village]) “This is a good development because it recognizes that the laity is an important part of the Church, together with the hierarchy and the clergy. This is one way the spiritual needs of the laity can be served effectively.” (Bobby Tordesillas, BF Homes Resident, EMHC)
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“The Holy Spirit Parish Synodal process was an eye-opener. A very fortunate event which gave a good opportunity for the parishioners to speak out about certain things concerning the parish and the community.” (Carrot Salas, Secretary, Tower of Ivory) “I am convinced and sincerely believe synodality is the fulfilment of our Lord’s call for us to walk with Him not only to become His disciples but to be evangelizers as well. I consider this move of Pope Francis as the right one to bring us back to the path of our Lord.” (Ed Santiago, President, Mother of God Curia) “Fulfilling. Fun.” (Hans Perez: Student, UST) “The synodal “self-understanding” and “do-not-interrupt” process was the perfect opportunity to pick the minds and hearts of our parishioners without fear of being criticized for one’s thoughts and opinions. It was indeed a shared experience of listening to one another with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.” (Marie Tanate, PPC Treasurer) “It is the meeting of the heart enflamed with love for the Holy Mother Church in response to the call of the Holy Spirit. To hear and respond to this call is an uplifting experience of meeting people with a common goal: to love God.” (Dr. Myla Custodio) “I hope this is not a one-time process. A forum must be put in place in which parishioners are encouraged to speak up (without being disrespectful) and Priests and Lay leaders listen patiently, attentively, and genuinely.” (Miguel Tamase, Student, UP)
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FR. ABE is our new Assistant Parish Priest, appointed in the third quarter of 2021. He participated in the Synodal Consultation of the parish last year. In this interview, Ate Gel Rivera gives us a glimpse of the amiable priest, and his vision for our parish, in the following Q & A. Q. We are blessed to have you, Fr. Abe! Please tell us about yourself. A. Thank you. I was born on August 20, 1969, to a very Catholic family. My late father, Salvador Arganiosa, was an Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Eucharist, who assisted our Parish Priest after his retirement. My late mother, Trinidad Patinio Arganiosa, was a very prayerful woman who was also active in the Cursillo Movement then. I only have two elder siblings: Ate Luz, who served as parish pastoral council secretary, and Ate Marylin, a church lector. I was born in a poor place, Sapang Palay in Bulacan, into a poor family, but we were rich in faith and love for one another. Q. What were the key moments of your priestly life? A. I entered the seminary in 1986 right after high school. I chose a religious seminary of the Somascan Fathers founded by the Italian Saint Jerome Emiliani. The Somascan Fathers Seminary in Lubao, Pampanga, accepted me into College in June 1986 and I graduated there with a Bachelor of Arts in English degree in 1990. Then we were sent to Tagaytay City for one year of Novitiate and that was followed by two years of our second degree of studies. From 1991 to 1993, I took up Bachelor of Arts, Major in Philosophy, at Don Bosco-Canlubang College Seminary. After Philosophy, I was sent back to Lubao Somascan Seminary for two years of practical training and served as a teacher for younger
The Synod: A Special Issue
seminarians. After my two-year practicum, we returned to Tagaytay City to take our third degree course, Baccalaureate in Theology, at the Divine Word School of Theology. We were so blessed to have the then Rev. Fr. Luis Antonio Tagle, S.Th.D. as our Dogmatic Theology professor, a young and brilliant professor who would later become a great man of God – Cardinal Chito – whom we all know today. I graduated with a Baccalaureate in Theology, Cum Laude Probatus, with advance Master’s studies in Dogmatic Theology. After graduation, the Provincial Superior of the Somascans assigned me to the Somascan Orphanage in Sorsogon City, where I stayed for 5 years serving as co-administrator, secretary, and finance officer of the Rectory. At the same time, we served as tutors and guardians of around 50 orphans or abandoned children. After five years in the Orphanage, the Provincial Superior transferred me to the Somascan-owned Aemilianum College in Sorsogon City to be its Chaplain and resident teacher. It was there I experienced teaching religion classes in High School I-IV and almost all branches of the College Department (from Engineering, 4-Yr College, and TESDA courses). During my stay in Aemilianum College, I was invited to speak at its local radio and TV station, The Aemilianum Communications, under the Computer Engineering (CE) and Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) Departments. That stint gave birth to the renowned local TV and radio program, “The Splendor of the Church,” where I would be answering questions about the faith from the students and, later on, the general public of Sorsogon. It became famous in the entire province of Sorsogon and, because of its popularity, I was also invited to co-host the Diocesan Radio counterpart of Radio Veritas in Sorsogon, the DZGN Spirit FM 102.3, for the Wednesday Edition of the program “Hello, Father.” Later, I was appointed Station Manager of the AITV of the Somascan Fathers and even elected President of Kapisanan ng mga Broadcaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), Sorsogon Chapter. In addition, I became the national Spiritual Adviser of the Catholic Faith Defenders (CFD), the biggest and oldest Catholic apologist group in the country established in Cebu City in 1937 and is approved by the Archbishop of Cebu. I also became the founding father of CFD Metro Manila (with Atty. Marwil Llasos), which now exists in three Archdioceses and six Dioceses in Luzon, with episcopal approval. As of now, I serve as its national Theological Adviser.
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After 12 years of mission life in Sorsogon, I asked my Provincial Superior for permission to experience life outside the Order. The Superior gave his permission, and I stayed in the Archdiocese of St. Louis in Missouri, USA, for five years. There, I served in three different parishes in need of priests: (1) St. Andrew Catholic Church, Lemay Ferry; (2) Sacred Heart Parish, Valley Park; and (3) St. Joseph Parish in Farmington. For the first time, I experienced parish life celebrating the sacraments much more frequently. In addition, I practiced preparing people for adult baptism on the converts from other religions, the Prison Ministry, and through regular visits to give Communion and Anointing to various Homes for the Elderly in three parishes. There were also apostolates for the Filipino communities in St. Louis and nearby Illinois. I also celebrated Holy Mass in Spanish for the Farmington Hispanic Communities who loved and accepted me as their very own. Q. How were you assigned to the Holy Spirit Parish? A. During my fourth year in the US, my eldest sibling Luz was stricken with breast cancer. She fought hard and went through a series of operation, chemotherapy, radiation, etc., but eventually died. It was so painful for me because Ate Luz was the de facto head of the family. Since our parents were uneducated folks from the province (aggravated by World War II), Ate Luz served as our leader who made all the decisions. She was the one who paid for my studies from elementary to high school and sustained me during my seminary days. She worked as an OFW in South Africa for 17 years and helped the family rise out of poverty. Almost all my earnings from that US stay went to her medication and treatment. I realized that the Lord allowed me to go to the US so that when the medical crisis came, I had the means for her needs. After more than a year of battling the Big C, Ate Luz succumbed and returned to the Father’s House. She left me and Ate Marylin (and her 9-year-old adopted daughter, Mary Louise), my only immediate family in this world. Ate Marilyn requested me to return to the Philippines because, after taking good care of our elderly parents and Luz, she sunk into depression. She needed my physical presence to combat despair and find new strength to go on with life. So, in 2017, I returned to our homeland and decided to stay for good. I needed to support Ate Marylin, who is emotionally in need of my presence, and provide food and education to Mary Louise, my beloved niece; therefore, I decided not to return to the religious Order of the Somascans.
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Thanks be to God Bishop Antonio Tobias accepted me as a guest priest in the Diocese of Novaliches with the possibility of incardination later on. He assigned me initially to San Bartolome de Novaliches Parish in San Bartolome, QC, then at the Holy Cross Parish in Amparo Village, Caloocan City and, in August 2021, to the Holy Spirit Parish, B.F. Homes (where he is happily ensconced). Q. What is your vision for our parish? A. Since I am not the parish priest, but the Parochial Vicar (in ordinary term, the Assistant Parish Priest), my vision must be dependent on and essentially interconnected with our Parish Priest Fr. Mar Sanchez. However, for specification here they are: • To strengthen the faith of our people through the proclamation of the Word of God and effective teaching of the faith especially to the youth. My first duty as a priest is to bring people to Christ by giving them the chance to know Him, and by knowing they will love Him, and by loving they can serve Him with all their hearts and mind. I am willing to teach our faithful in Bible studies, hands-on explanation of the Doctrines, Moral Teachings, and History of the Church as I did on media. I have done it countless times on social media and in the academe. I am also eager to share the faith with our parishioners. I will make myself available to anyone or any group who wants to know the faith from me in any way I can. • To sanctify the spiritual life of the parishioners by dedicated celebrations of the Sacraments. We all know that our Parish Priest is a senior citizen already and is battling a very difficult kidney disease. He has dialysis three times a week. It is, therefore, my duty to help him at this time of weakness. As the younger cleric, I am willing to work more so that the Sacraments will always be administered to our faithful in the parish and its four satellite chapels. I will not be a lazy assistant priest. I am ready for pastoral demands for the sake of our Cura and our faithful: • To strengthen the ecclesial unity of our faithful; • To make our parish life more attractive so that the inactive Catholics will be attracted to be active in faith; • To energize the youth of our parish; • To improve our parish social media presence and apostolate; and • To reinvigorate the Marian movements and spirituality in our parish. TP We are on Facebook and YouTube @Holy Spirit Parish-BFQC
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THE LOGO EXPLAINED A LARGE, MAJESTIC tree, full of wisdom and light, reaches for the sky. A sign of deep vitality and hope which expresses the cross of Christ. It carries the Eucharist, which shines like the sun. The horizontal branches, opened like hands or wings, suggest, at the same time, the Holy Spirit. The people of God are not static: they are on the move, in direct reference to the etymology of the word synod, which means “walking together.” The people are united by the same common dynamic that this Tree of Life breathes into them, from which they begin their walk. These 15 silhouettes sum up our entire humanity in its diversity of life situations of origins and generations. This aspect is reinforced by the multiplicity of bright colors which are themselves signs of joy. There is no hierarchy between these people who are all on the same footing: young, old, men, women, teenagers, children, lay people, religious, parents, couples, singles; the bishop and the nun are not in front of them, but among them. Quite naturally, children and then adolescents open their walk, in reference to these words of Jesus in the Gospel: “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children” (Mt 11:25). The horizontal baseline “For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission” runs from left to right in the direction of this march, underlining and strengthening it, to end with the title “Synod 2021 - 2023,” the high point that synthesizes the whole. (https:// www.synod.va/en/news/synod-official-logo2.html) TP