CBCP declares 2017 as “Year of the Parish”

By Fr. Joselito Jopson

MANILA – The CBCP will open 2017 as the Year of Parish. Dubbed with the theme “The Parish as a communion of communities”, it is in line with the “novena years” of preparation for the 500th anniversary of the Philippine Church in 2021. In the statement released by the CBCP through President, Lingayen Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, Pope Francis, in quoting Evangelii Nunciandi, asserts that the parish “is not an outdated institution … (it) can possess great flexibility still, depending on the openness and missionary creativity of the pastor and the community.” (EG, 28) The Church as a mystery of communion. “Our communion flows from the Trinity overflowing into humanity and sharing a common faith journeying together for the full unfolding folding of the kingdom of God, made possible for us because of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ … It has a double dimension – a vertical communion with God and a horizontal communion with our brothers and sisters.” It is also open to ecumenical and missionary action. CBCP challenges parishioners “to more deeply discern not only the structures of governance of our dioceses and parishes but also of the quality of faith that lie in the parish, the fellowship, belongingness, and participation experienced by its members.” Celebrating communion with Mary. 2017 is also the centennial year of the apparition of our Lady to three children in Fatima, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta. Pope Benedict clarified that the message of Fatima is not only directed on godless regimes but “in another way is still at work today in our time, in the suffering of the Church and the weakening forces of good and of the work of God in the world.” The CBCP exhorts parishioners to counter the active forces of evil in the world, “in our communities, and societies, in our own homes, in our own lives.” Proposals for action. The CBCP proposes the following actions in parishes: 1. Be renewed in personal and community prayer. Teach our society how to pray. 2. Live the Eucharist. The Eucharist is a powerful tool to disturb the complacency in world, to inspire to offer sacrifices to lift up the poor, and for the Word of God to invite the confused, lonely, bored, and suffering to the joy of the Gospel. The CBCP exhorts the parishes to learn from the words uttered at the end of every mystery of the rosary: “Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls into heavens especially those in most need of your mercy.” The Year of the Parish opens this first Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2016. In the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara will preside in a Eucharistic Celebration on this day at 10 a.m.