More than 130 social communication ministers of the different parishes in the Archdiocese of Manila attended the Social Communications Ministry (SOCOM) General Assembly and Lenten Recollection held at the San Pedro Calungsod Youth Center (Knights of Columbus Building) in Intramuros, Manila last March 18, 2023.
The gathering was aimed at helping the ministers to deepen their faith as they prepare for Lent. It also allows them to have spiritual renewal and conversion of the heart while they undertake their duties and responsibilities in the ministry.
Rev. Fr. Carmelo Arada, Vice Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Manila and Parish Priest of Santisima Trinidad Parish gave the Lenten recollection titled “By your holy cross you have redeemed the world: An invitation to the Heart of Jesus” while Rev. Fr. Reginald Malicdem, Vicar General and Vice Moderator Curiae of the Archdiocese of Manila and Mission Station Priest of Our Lady of Hope Chapel (Landmark) tackled the importance of “Rich rituals and symbols of Lent and Holy Week.”
In his opening message, Rev. Fr. Roy Bellen, 2nd Assistant Commissioner of RCAM SOCOM stressed the importance of the spirit of synodality in the SOCOM ministry.
“As you do your ministry, whatever it is, at sa atin po in our case, we are SOCOM, we are also obliged to listen. Pag si Father nag-homily, we listen. Pag merong consecration, we kneel. Pag meron pong ritual, we also respond and take part. We are also part of the congregation,” he said.
Fr. Bellen also encouraged the SOCOM ministers to make the Lent and Holy Week seasons a faith-enriching experience for the faithful.
“Please help the parish have a meaningful celebration with what we are doing. Yung ating coverage, yung atin pong broadcast, yung atin pong documentation. Sa atin pong nandito, please try to make it indeed a memorable experience especially after po ng pandemya,” he added.
Organized by the Archdiocesan Commission on Social Communications in coordination with the Archdiocesan Office of Communications, the SOCOM General Assembly is a quarterly event that desires to respond to the challenges and changes of the times to make good use of the various and available means of social communication in the mission of evangelization.
The commission is headed by Rev. Msgr. Jose Clemente F. Ignacio with Rev. Fathers Joselito Buernafe and Roy Bellen as assistant commissioners. (Hazel Boquiren and Jheng Prado | Photo by Maricar Santos/RCAM-AOC | Photogallery)
