With the theme “‘Come and See’ (Jn 1:46) Communicating by Encountering People Where and as They Are,” the Social Communications Ministry (SOCOM) of the Archdiocese of Manila celebrated the 55th World Communications Day last Saturday, May 15, 2021 online with more than a hundred participants.
The online celebration started at 10 in the morning with the opening remarks of Fr. Joselito Buenafe, Assistant Commissioner of RCAM SOCOM and was followed by a reflection on the message of Pope Francis for the celebration by Bishop Marcelino Antonio Maralit of Boac and Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Social Communications of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP-ECSC).
The SOCOM Ministry of RCAM has invited resource persons from the different dioceses to speak and share their stories on how they were able to fulfill their ministry of evangelization through the media during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The list of speakers and sharers is as follows:
Fr. Jonathan Rubin, Chairman of 500 YOC Broadcast and Coverage, Archdiocese of Cebu; Fr. Fiel Pareja, Parish Priest of Immaculate Concepcion Parish, Balibago, Angeles City; Mary Ann Almeria, Anchor of Youth Camp: Kalakbay ni Kristo” DXGN 89.9 Spirit FM, Archdiocese of Davao and Member, DXGN’s Live Coverage Team of the National Consecration of the Philippines to St. Joseph; Margaux Salcedo, Editor in Chief of Dominus Est; Fathers Danichi Hui and Douglas Badong, Parochial Vicars of Quiapo Church and hosts of “Dito sa Quiapo”; and Fr. Kali Llamado, Vice Rector of Manila Cathedral and initiated the Healing Rosary for the World.
The SOCOM ministry of San Felipe Neri and the other dioceses like Malolos, Kalookan and Cubao have shared their best practices in the evangelization of the faithful during the coronavirus outbreak.
Msgr. Jose Clemente Ignacio, Commissioner of RCAM SOCOM gave the closing remark and invited the faithful to reflect on the grace of the Lord despite the hardship brought about by the pandemic.
“One thing that we may reflect on are the graces that God has been pouring out upon us and all these have a purpose. We hang on to God we hold on to him, we pray. Remember he will never forsake us, he loves us dearly,” he said.
The virtual celebration held via ZOOM and Facebook live was attended by SOCOM ministers from parishes in the Archdiocese of Manila and neighboring dioceses.
The 55th World Communications Day celebration of the Social Communications Ministry of the Archdiocese of Manila was a collaboration of its platforms – TV Maria, Radio Veritas and Archdiocesan Office of Communications (AOC). (Jheng Prado/RCAM-AOC)
