Lessons Learned From Roman Catholic “Father Acong” About Successfully Building Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) With Enduring Love
Personally, I want the book to highlight the love for the
poor parishioners that Father Acong showed, as he had single-mindedly created
400+ Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) in the far-flung villages of Quezon
Province before he died Oct 2007. If that is not love for the poor, I don’t
know what love is!
About the BECs, Msgr Lope
C Robredillo, VG, says [“An Overview Of The Basic Ecclesial Communities
(BECs), From The Other Side Of History,
msgrlope.blogspot.com]:
The Second Plenary
Council of the Philippines devotes two paragraphs to describe the BECs… “They
are small communities of Christians, usually of families who gather together
around the Word of God and the Eucharist.”
As Roman
Catholic, an editor and with training in selling goods as well as ideas, I want
to repackage the book so that the chapter titles reflect the lessons learned in
building those 400+ BECs – so that other missionaries can emulate the
outstanding example of Father Acong. (With a new book title, to wit.)
You notice that I use the title “Father Acong” instead of
the preferred “Father Sevilla” by the editor of the book, who is his blood
relative (sister). “Father Sevilla” is too formal, and you do not
want to be stiff; you cannot be formal with the village people if you want them
to feel closer to you and listen to your words coming from High Above.
Some lessons from that Father Acong book (with my
translation):
“Magtungo kayo sa mga tao. Makipamuhay sa kanilang piling.
Matuto sa kanilang karanasan. Ang mayroon sila ay gamitin.” (“Go to the people.
Live with them. Learn from their experiences. Use what they have.”)
“Si Father Acong ay isang pari na ang buong kaisipan ay
buhos sa pagmimisyon.” (“Father Acong was a priest whose thoughts were fully on
his mission.”)
“Ang malimit na bilin at turo niya ay magsinop, magrosaryo,
magtipid, at laging umasa sa Diyos.” (“His frequent advice was to take care,
say the Rosary, save money, and always hope on God.”)
“Una, ang kanyang kabanalan bilang isang pari ni Kristo. Ikalawa,
ang kasipagan ni Monsignor.” (“First, his piety as a priest of Christ. Second, the
industriousness of Monsignor.”)
“Ang mga prayer leaders ay may pagsasanay buwan-buwan.” (With
him, prayer leaders had trainings every month.”)
The following is praise from Bishop Teodoro C Bacani Jr: “Hindi makasarili at walang kapaguran.”
(“Not selfish and was tireless.”)
Word On The Streets says, “Today’s challenge is to be a church of the
poor – for if we are not, how can genuinely call ourselves a church for the
poor?” (wordonthestreets.net)
“Church” is “people,” not “building.” Now therefore, we have to learn from one of the best church teachers in our world: Father Acong – faithful to the end!@517
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