Equipping the Catechist
“A Bible for Every Cathechist” – this has been a long term goal of the Catechetical Ministry of the Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga that found its fulfillment when the first of a series of May They Be One Bible (MTBO) distributions took place in September, 2009. Two hundred MTBO Bibles were then distributed in the Archdiocese’s 92 parishes. The occasion was led by Sis. Quezonia Payanan, head of the Catechetical Ministry, Archdiocese of San Fernando and Fr. Jesus Layug, the Archdiocese’s Catechetical and Biblical Minister. The distribution was a milestone experience for the Catechists, many of whom couldn’t afford until then to have their own copy of the Scriptures. Now they each have a personal Bible which they can bring with them anywhere they go. Having their own Bibles, the Catechists developed a deeper appreciation of the Scriptures. It gave them a renewed zeal in sharing God’s Word to others. The avid Catechists even organized a Bible Quiz Bee for all the public school students in the Archdiocese. The challenge was enthusiastically taken on by the students who impressed the audience and organizers with the high scores they garnered during the Quiz Bee. Responding to the keen interest shown by the students, the Catechists also developed a parish –based Bible studyprogram to provide the students with a systematic and ongoing Bible training.
More Bible distributions are scheduled in different parts of Pampanga. Parishioners who complete 6 sessions on the first 5 books of the Bible (Pentateuch) will each become recipients of the MTBO Bible. The Pentateuch sessions are ongoing in the following places: Holy Rosary Parish, Angeles with 130 participants, Mary the Queen Parish, Guagua with 66 participants, Mother of Good Counsel Seminary, San Fernando with 73 participants and in the Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Bigtas, Arayat with 26 participants.
In Deuteronomy Chapter 8, it is written that” man does not live by bread alone but by every Word that springs from the mouth of God”. The May They Be One Bible campaign was launched to address the hunger of the soul. There is no food that could satisfy the hunger of the spirit more than the Word of God. This is why my challenge to you is to be part of this campaign to bring the Word of God to our poor fellow countrymen. Let us address the problem of hunger – not only of the body but also of the spirit. A person who receives and obeys the Word of God will find his hunger satisfied – both physically and spiritually. Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga and Episcopal Commission on Biblical Apostolate President.
Target No. of Bibles for Distribution for 2010: 500,000 cps.
No. of Bibles Distributed (from Jan 1- 31, 2010): 11,896 cps.
1. RTPV Tagalog = 6,427 copies
2. TEV English = 482 copies
3. BPV Bicol = 500 copies
4. HPV Hiligaynon = 200 copies
6. RIPV Ilocano = 2,287 copies
7. PNPV Pangasinense = 2,000 copies
Total = 11,896 copies
Parishes/Communities served: 45
Total Funds Needed for Printing and Transport of Bibles in 2010: P50-75M
Total No. of Bibles Distributed (from Jan 2009-Jan 31, 2010): 115,827 cps.
Total No of Parishes/Communities Covered: 474
Support the May They Be One Bible Campaign and help bring God’s Word to more Filipino homes. Your contribution of at least P150/month will enable a poor family to own a Bible. For more Campaign info-visit, email or call ECBA – Fr. Oscar Alunday, 470 Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Mla. Telefax no. 5279386; ecba_cbcp@yahoo.com ; PBS-Mrs. Perry Cartera/Mrs. Juliet Rivera at 890 UN Ave., Ermita Mla.; perry@bible.org.ph ;juliet@bible.org.ph ; Tel. nos. 5267777 loc. 600/5215785 Fax 5215803/Mobile Ph no. 09178590019 /09156727492 /09182802775