Revisiting SMDS accomplishments in 2008

Two years after the Dellas Strada mission and vision statements were articulated, the heads of the Ministries and Tri-council met last November 2008 to identify manifestations of how the Parish is living up to its mission and actualizing its vision. Some of the reported accomplishments of the different Councils and Ministries, as of September 2008, are as follows:

Ministries/ Council	Accomplishments in 2008
Program Implementing Council	Process of coordination among ministries was strengthened Linkage with Vicariate and Diocesan Councils was developed Ministry pastoral teams completed Pastoral office set up
Social Service	28% increase in amount of loans released 25% increase in number of loan accounts 11% increase in amount of additional deposits 22% increase in number of PHILHEALTH additional enrollees 248 clients served through the Helping Hands program 100 children served through its Feeding Program 162 high school students, 19 vocational students, 3 college students granted scholarship and summer tutorials 65 LNP boys given scholarship 80 participants trained in different livelihood programs such as cosmetology, massage 2000 beneficiaries given free clinics
Formation Ministry	Spiritual formation e.g. Lenten, Advent retreats provided to parishioners Pastoral formation e.g. Parish Socio-Civic Catechism Seminar conducted for Ministry and Parish leaders Formation programs for Basic Ecclesial Communities e.g. Basic Bible and Parish Renewal Seminars provided
Public Affairs Ministry	50 new members recruited and attended formation programs
Catechetical Ministry	4,084 (100%) of the Balara Elementary School (BES) attended the Catechetical classes of the Parish; 1,258 (100%) of the Freshmen and Sophomores of the Balara High School students attended the Catechetical classes 683 pupils of grade 3 (of BES) were prepared for Holy Communion 637 pupils of grade 6 (of BES) were prepared for Confirmation
Family and Life Ministry	36 Pre-Cana sessions conducted for the year Family Spirituality programs conducted Sacrament of Matrimony promoted among parishioners Natural Family planning sessions conducted
Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC)	40 new members actively participated in KAWAN activities
Youth Ministry	16 youth members attended the Youth Leaders’ Camp in November
Worship Ministry	Wider participation of the laity and ministry leaders in parish masses Groups subsumed under the Worship Ministry strengthened and their activities better coordinated
Finance Council	P11.4M was raised for the Parish ministry programs and infrastructure requirements through the 10/10 Project
Planning Council	Parish Newsletter published on a quarterly basis Parish planning facilitated yearly Parish assessment conducted yearly Parish Operations Manual completed

Celebrating 25 Years of Sta. Maria della Strada Parish!

The journey of Sta. Maria della Strada to become a parish started in the late 1970s, when the churchgoers of the St. Joseph Church on Aurora Boulevard and the Ateneo Campus chapel had swelled in numbers. The needs of the vast area covering 14 barangays as well as that of a large transient student population from the University of the Philippines, Ateneo, Maryknoll (now Miriam College) and St. Bridget’s school—had to be served.

A group of Loyola residents, acting upon a suggestion by Fr. William Kreutz, S.J., about the possibility of creating a new parish, held a series of community meetings starting in January of 1979. An earnest prayer drive led by the members of the Family Rosary Crusade began to gather support for the idea from the community. In April 1979, a group of representatives from Balara Filters, Pansol, Varsity Hills, Xavierville, La Vista and Alta Vista, accompanied by the parish priest of St. Joseph, Monsignor Arsenio Bautista, and two Jesuit priests, presented the petition to Cardinal Sin, who approved it immediately and appointed an interim priest in charge, Bishop Godofredo Padernal to undertake the parish project.

In the search to find the site for the church, it was eventually discovered that a piece of La Vista property at the corner of Katipunan and Pansol, designated as a park area, was not turned over to the National Housing Authority. The NHA required only that a referendum be conducted among the members of the homeowners association for approval of the donation of the lot to the Archdiocese of Manila as the site for construction of the proposed parish Church. The proposal was approved by 97% of the homeowners.

On January 9, 1981, Cardinal Sin signed the official documents creating the new parish, and on March 25, 1981, he designated Fr. Patricio H. Lim as the first permanent parish priest of Sta. Maria della Strada, a post he held for more than 20 years.

Named Sta. Maria della Strada or Our Lady of the Way because one of the parishioners, upon reading the biography of St. Ignatius of Loyola on his feastday, discovered a picture of Sta. Maria della Strada, at whose wayside shrine St. Ignatius used to stop and pray. Since the Jesuits had done so much for the community, it seemed fitting to name the parish in honor of Our Lady of the Way.

Despite the absence of a physical structure, the parish vibrated with life in the intensified prayers, mortifications, Holy Hour Vigils and Holy Masses for the intention of the establishment of the new church.

At one of the early brainstorming meetings, the group decided to call the emerging parish the “Living Church of Sta. Maria della Strada”. The final agreement that emerged on the structure of the church was consistent with the character of the “Living Church”—the projection of the concept of a church focused on people characterized by dynamism and openness, as seen in the acts of sharing and serving.

To affirm this concept, the people who were the “Living Church” gathered regularly for outdoor masses on the designated church site, under a makeshift tent.

The fund drive for the construction of the church went into full gear with a series of fundraising events managed by a group of energetic parish ladies as well as a group known as the “Friends of Fr. Pat.” Launched in March of 1981, less than 5 months later, the cornerstone was laid for the church. Embedded in the cornerstone were the medals and religious items once buried in a previously considered site, as well as a parchment scroll with the names of generous benefactors.

In a symbolic ground breaking ceremony held on September 12, 1981, representatives of the different parish communities affirmed their unity by pouring pots of soil from each of their areas into the grounds of the future parish church.

Donations in cash and in kind poured in during the period of construction as the church took shape, incorporating all the special features that gave it a distinctive character: the precious marble altar table used by Pope John Paul II during the beatification of the first Filipino saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz; the life-sized Crucifix with a kayumanggi Christ above the main altar; the Italian mosaic icons of Sta. Maria della Strada and St. Joseph; and the simple Blessed Sacrament Chapel, among others.

With the concerted efforts of all the concerned members of the community and their generous friends, the construction was completed in two years and the Church was inaugurated on May 29, 1983.

Shortly after the completion of the church construction, the community launched another fund drive, this time for the purpose of building the service centers now known as the Landas Center and the Lingkod Center.

The three story Landas Center is a functional building that provides adequate space for varied purposes—parish offices, retreats and recollections, training rooms and dorm facilities for trainees, as well as a social hall that also serves as a mortuary chapel. Outdoor spaces serve as a meditation garden and an area for receptions and church bazaars.

Adjacent to the Landas Center is the Lingkod building. Like Landas, this structure serves many parish needs. It provides rooms for meetings and a library for quiet study. It also allots space for livelihood programs for out-of-work youths and mothers, as well as a medical and dental clinic.

Sta. Maria Della Strada: The Living Church in Action

Fr. Pat Lim once wrote: “Sambahan is the building, a place of worship….simbahan is the people, the parishioners of Sta. Maria della Strada.”

From the start, the mission of Sta. Maria della Strada was to empower its members to develop their full potential so that they would become the living and loving manifestation of Jesus Christ in their particular time and place.

From the beginning, the Sta. Maria della Strada parishioners were given opportunities to interact with one another, to become more aware of their common concerns and their various needs.

Parish pastoral programs, initially coordinated through volunteer committees such as Worship, Education, Social Services, Temporalities and the Youth Committee abounded. Involvement of parishioners in the various activities of the forty eight (48) different church organizations promoted the sense of identity, community and stability that the parish set as its principal goals. Various programs were initiated that promoted both the spiritual development and tried to address the temporal needs of its parishioners.

It was during the first Parish Congress in 1992, celebrating and assessing the Parish’s first decade and attended by 100 participants, that the parish community the parish’s first Vision and Mission statements:

Vision (1992):

United in Christ and belonging to his Church, with common desire and purpose we go beyond ourselves, loving and serving God and others, aware of and responsive to the needs of parishioners and the larger community.

Nagkakaisa kay Kristo at kasapi sa Kanyang simbahan, taglay ang ipinagbuklod na hangarin at layunin, nagmamalasakit tayo sa pagmamahal at paglilingkod sa Diyos at kapwa nang may kamalayan at pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng parokya at ng sambayanan.

Mission (1992):

To move towards our vision of a united, loving and serving Church, we commit ourselves to pray and worship, Spirit-led, to integrate faith and life in community with others, to evangelize ourselves and others, mobilizing families into Christian communities, creating reality-based understanding of what it means to be Catholic Christian; to serve humbly, responsibly, generously and selflessly; in solidarity with the poor; sharing resources and empowering all to develop their full potential as persons and as Christians in a truly Christian community.

Upang marating ang pangarap na maging simbahang nagkakaisa, nagmamahal at naglilingkod, tumatalaga tayong manalangin at sumamba, dala ng Espiritu, upang maisabuhay natin ang pananampalataya kaisa ng ating parokya; ipangaral at ipamahagi ang ebanghelyo sa pamilya at samahan upang lalong maranasan at maunawaan ang pagiging tunay na Katolikong Kristiyano; maglingkod ng may kababaang loob, pananagutan, kusang pagbibigay at pagmamalasakit; nakikiisa sa mga mahihirap; nagbabahagi ng anumang kakayahang maibibigay sa pagpapaganap sa lahat bilang tao at Kristiyano sa isang tunay na sambayanan ni Kristo.

It was in the second parish Congress, on May 26, 2001, that the mantle of leadership was passed by Fr. Pat Lim to Fr. Vic Apacible, the incoming Parish Priest, along with the resolutions of the Parish Congress II plenary. Fr. Vic Apacible was replaced by Fr. Aris Sison, who stayed Parish Priest of Sta. Maria della Strada parish. Because of the Diocese of Cubao’s rotation policy, Fr. Aris Sison was sent as Parish Priest to the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary, and he was succeeded by Fr. Emmanuel Sarez in 2006.

It was during a two-day planning exercise held on October, 2006, with Fr. Sarez and selected lay leaders of the parish that a Tri-Council structure was adopted, with a Parish Planning Council, A Parish Implementation and Coordinating Council and a Finance Council, were formed to assist the Parish Priest with the pastoral affairs of the parish. It was also during this planning exercise that the Parish’s revised Vision and Mission statements were formulated that incorporated the most relevant concepts of the previous statements and that emphasized the role of the parish as a community of the faithful:

VISION (2006):

The Sta. Maria della Strada parish, under the guidance of Mary, her patroness, is a vibrant community of faith, hope and charity, ever-growing, with clear and effective programs to enhance the spiritual and temporal lives of its parishioners, especially the poor.

Ang parokya ng Sta. Maria della Strada, sa ilalim ng patnubayan ni Maria na kanyang patrona, ay isang masigasig na pamayanang may pananampalataya, pag-asa at bukas-palad, patuloy sa paglago, may malinaw at mabisang mga palatuntunan upang mapag-ibayo ang pang-ispiritwal at pansamantalang buhay ng kanyang mananampalataya lalung-lalo na ang mga dukha.

MISSION (2006):

We, the parish community of Sta. Maria della Strada, nurtured by the presence of God, and empowered by the spirit of servant leadership, are committed to grow as a living church of the poor, responding to the spiritual and temporal needs of people to attain the fullness of life.

Kami, ang parokya ng Sta. Maria della Strada, inaruga ng mapagmahal na kalinga ng Diyos, at pinasisidhing diwa ng mapaglingkod na pamumuno, ay makatalaga upang lumago bilang isang buhay na sambayanan ng mga kapus-palad. Tumutugon sa mag pang-ispiritwal at pansamantalang pangangailangan ng tao upang makamit ang kaganapan ng buhay.

Aligning with Cubao Diocese Strategic Directions

The Diocese as a Local Church is the concretization of the Universal Church. Headed by the Bishop as the real shepherd of all, she sets the pastoral direction of all the parishes under her fold. The Vicariate which is composed by the neighboring parishes performs the role of coordinating their activities in the context of collaborative ministry. It is in the parishes where the implementation of programs and activities is expected to take place.

In this spirit, the Sta Maria Della Strada parish tries to ride on in the over-all direction provided by the Diocese. While she addresses her unique concerns and needs as a parish community, she always sees herself as an important part of the whole from the perspective of the Diocese as a Local Church.

THE DIOCESAN VISION STATEMENT

A Community of Christ-like disciples empowered and sent through effective servant leadership moving towards becoming Church of the Poor.

The Diocese of Cubao maintains the vision and mission statement which developed through the years when it was yet the Ecclesiastical District of Quezon City – South and then became the Ecclesiastical District of Cubao as a result of the re-alignment of parishes in the Archdiocese of Manila which took effect on March 15, 2002

Basically, it is inspired by the direction set by the Second Vatican Council especially the model of the Church on the People of God. Its dynamism as a living and moving church seeking for greater fulfillment reflects the image of a pilgrim church.

Secondly, it draws its context from the direction of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II) from its proposed model of the Church as Community of Christ’s Disciples and the Church of the Poor. Renewed Integral Evangelization which is also a recurrent theme of PCP II defines its approach to the fulfillment of its mission as a Local Church.

The Diocese of Cubao believes that effective evangelization can best be carried out through the exercise of servant-leadership in all aspects of its ministry to the people. “The task at hand is to become the emerging model of the Church: the Church of the Poor. The community of servant-leader disciples must be in solidarity with the poor. In so doing, they not only evangelizers of the poor but also are evangelized by the poor.(PCP II, #127-136).

DIOCESAN CORE VALUES/MISSION STATEMENT

To better reach this vision, the following basic values, as her mission, have to be imbibed. This can be best remembered through an acronym using – CUBAO

C-onversion and Renewal

The solid basis of effective evangelization and servant-leadership is conversion and renewal. Santatlo need a metanoia or change of heart from a life of sinfulness to a life of grace. From conversion must follow constant renewal to sustain conversion

U- nity in Diversity

But this conversion and renewal can only be done in the context of a community of servant-leader disciples. This community is characterized by unity in diversity who draws its strength from the Blessed Trinity. The Triune God inspires the community to be one Church, synergizing different charisms and ministries. (PCP II, # 91-94)

B – eing and Becoming

Amidst unity in diversity, the community grows in the spirit of communio: being the Church God wants her to be, appreciated and cared for; and becoming, the Church God wants her to become, bearing fruit a hundredfold. (PCM II, Ch 3, p 98)

A – uthenticity and Availability

Being and becoming develops our communal discipleship into authentic servant-leadership where there is sincerity in reaching out to those in need. This also means being available, especially to the poor. (PCP) II, #134

O – penness and Flexibility

To be authentic and available servant leaders demand being open and flexible to the “signs of the times” in order for one’s service to be apt and relevant for the people served (PCP II, #435)

THE DIOCESE OF CUBAO FIVE (5) POINT AGENDA

On the occasion of its 5th anniversary as a Diocese, this month of August 2008, she sets her strategic direction for the next three (3) years with the following statement:

By the end of 2011, The Diocese of Cubao will be a Local Church:

1. where parishes are alive and strengthened through the BECs by

   1. synergizing the implementation of Diocesan Programs

   2. a comprehensive formation program for Integral Evangelizationfor the lay and clergy with the collaboration of the religious.

1. with a self-sufficient catechetical program in the light of its autonomy from the Archdiocese of Manila;

1. that utilizes media (e.g. internet, TV, Radio, Print) for evangelization;

1. that has a sustainable resource mobilization guided by the spirituality of stewardship;

1. where its organizational structure and policies are clarified and updated in the light of some emerging ministries

Defining the Della Strada Strategic Directions

The diagram below shows the strategy map of the Della Strada Parish. It is a graphical representation of the Parish Vision and Mission. IT believes that for the Parish to better address its parishioners’ spiritual and temporal needs, BECs or Basic Ecclesial Communities should be established.

To support the BECs, Parish Ministries should be institutionalized and strengthened. Ministries can be strengthened if the Parish establishes sustainable resource stewardship and improves its research, documentation and deployment of media as a tool for evangelization.

The seven parish ministries are:

1. Family Life

2. Social Services

3. Youth

4. Public Affairs

5. Catechetical

6. Worship

7. Formation

Charting the Della Strada’s Organizational Structure Organizational Structure

The Della Strada Organizational Structure is composed of three major councils: (1) Implementing and Coordinating (2) Planning and (3) Finance. Subsumed under Implementing and Coordinating Council are the 7 Parish Ministries.

Parish Planning Council:

Basis for Establishment

The establishment of the Parish Planning Council is based on the Canon Law of 1983, Pope Paul VI’s Ecclesiae Sanctae, and the Decree on the Pastoral Office of the Bishops in the Church (Christus Dominus).

Role and Mission

The Parish Planning Council is the pastoral arm of the parish with the mandate of “fostering pastoral activity.” It is responsible for planning and policy-formulation, as well as for providing broad guidance and direction to the structures in the parish. It deals with issues and concerns affecting the Church and the world in general, and concentrates on developing priorities and overall resolutions with regard to issues and concerns identified. It also deals with long-range and short-range goals and objectives, and designs those procedures and processes by which the pastoral work of the Church is to be accomplished.

The Parish Planning Council is involved in the implementation only of its own specific tasks so as to provide broad guidance and direction to parish activities and to strengthen the PPC. It devotes its time to discern the parish needs and aspirations, and to deepen its understanding of the broad issues which cause undesirable conditions obstructing the parish vision and mission. It explores possibilities as well as options to build up the faith community.

The PPC mission is to facilitate a process of discovering, identifying and promulgating the parish vision and mission statement in line with the direction and priorities of the Diocese, of the universal church and in response to the signs of the times.

The PPC sets pastoral priorities by continually discerning the changing quality of life surrounding the parish and the world and by evaluating the implementation of the parish pastoral programs and projects with respect to the prioritized goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

With the Parish Priest, the Parish Planning Council:

• Guides the formation of the vision and mission of the parish, as well as its annual goals and terminal performance objectives;

• Undertakes continuing study of the people’s concerns and aspirations for a better life with a view to ensuring that the activities being carried out by the various groups in the parish are relevant and responsive to the needs and requirements of the parishioners;

• Assists in the definition of the role and functions, as well as the composition, organization, duties and responsibilities of the different structures in the parish, and clarifies their relationship with each other;

• Takes the lead in the annual planning of parish pastoral activities and in the conduct of the periodic review and evaluation of the implementation of parish plans and programs;

• Coordinates the resolution of priorities for the programs and projects of the different groups in the parish especially when the expected resources will not be adequate to meet the needs of the entire Parish Pastoral Plan;

• Formulates the broad policies and procedures that will govern the activities of the different structures in the parish; and

• Performs such other tasks as may be assigned to it from time to time.

Composition and Organization

The members of the Parish Planning Council shall be appointed by the Parish Priest and should:

• Have sufficient intellectual and psychological abilities;

• Have the desire, interest and the time for the fulfillment of the functions or duties or the office;

• Have a basic knowledge of Christian doctrine;

• Be a responsible and practicing Catholic;

• Be open to orientation and formation;

It shall be led by the Parish Planning Council head, who:

• Presides over all meetings of the Parish Planning Council;

• Appoints such member-volunteers as are necessary for the administration of the Parish Planning Council;

• Checks minutes of meetings of Parish Planning Council and the Joint Pastoral Councils meetings

• Sets, with the Parish Priest and Tri-Council Heads, the schedules for the Joint Pastoral Council meetings and the General Assembly meetings.

The members of the Parish Planning Council will be composed of parishioners who bring unique and special skills to the work of the Planning Council—in organizational development, facilitating, planning, evaluating, in organizing and in communicating. Together with the Planning Council head, the different members will task themselves with the different activities and responsibilities of the Council, whether it is in facilitating the Strategic Planning Process of the parish, in helping the other Councils and their ministries with developing objectives and indicators, evaluating and assessing their ministry performance, in publishing the regular newsletters of the parish or in setting up, developing the agenda or in running the meetings related to the Parish pastoral programs.

Tenure of Officers and Members

The officers and members of the Parish Planning Council shall serve for a term of two years unless they resign or are removed. They are subject to extension for another two years, but in no case shall they serve for more than four consecutive years.

Meetings

The Parish Planning Council shall have monthly regular meetings and special meetings as the need arises upon the call of the Parish Priest or the Chairperson.

Relationship with Other Councils and Entities

While the Parish Planning Council is co-equal with the Parish Implementation and Coordinating Council and the Parish Finance Council, it is crucial that it works in close coordination with both of them in the performance of its tasks, as well as supports them whenever necessary in the performance of their tasks.

• It works with both the Parish Implementing and Coordinating Council (PICC) and the Parish Finance Council (PFC) in defining the mission and tasks, composition and organization, and working relationships of the different structures in the parish.

• It works with the PICC and the PFC in periodically conducting a “reality assessment” of the parish to ensure that parish programs are relevant and responsive to the people’s needs

• It works with the PICC and the PFC in monitoring, evaluating and planning the activities of the parish.

• It works with the PICC and the PFC in formulating policies and procedures to govern the different activities of the different structures in the parish.

• It works with the PFC and the PICC in prioritizing the specific activities in the annual Parish Pastoral Plan and in evaluating the amount of funds requested for their implementation.

• It depends on the PFC for funding its activities for the year.

Parish Finance Council:

Role and Mission

The Parish Finance Council likewise is included in the Canon Law 537. It is expected “to help the parish priests in the administration of the goods of the parish”. Its role and mission, therefore, is to assist and advise the Parish Priest in the development, maintenance and administration of financial and material resources of the Parish.

PFC oversees the SMDSP Foundation Fund and the Columbarium fund.

Duties and Responsibilities

PFC allocates, upon availability of funds budget for each ministries for their particular activity/ies or programs. Budget proposals should be signed/approved/endorsed by the ministry’s head, by the PICC Head, upon approval of the PFC and the Parish Priest.

Funds for different ministries pastoral programs were separated from the Foundation Fund to be able to monitor and administer accordingly.

Parish Implementing and Coordinating Council

Role and Mission

Is based on the Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity (Apostolican Actousitatem). Its mission is to implement and coordinate, either body or through its component groups, all parish pastoral programs, as well those initiated at the vicariate and diocesan level. Parish Pastoral Program are effected thourgh various ministries and apostolate.

Roles of the Ministries and Parish Organizations

Every service that is rooted in a gift of spirit and that responds to the demands of the mission of the Church is called a ‘ministry’. The use of the gift to advance the life and mission of the church is done through the ministry. Put in a personal-communal context, the ministry is the actualization of “what-I-am-for-others”.

WORSHIP Ministry

Liturgy is the “summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time, it is the foundation from which her power flows. It is in the Liturgy that we celebrate who we are and what we believe as a Christian community.”

Vatican II Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy

PURPOSE

The Worship Committee plans and provides for the spiritual needs and growth of parishioners through liturgical celebrations, prayer experiences, devotional practices, and programs for spiritual enrichment. The committee also coordinates activities and programs of the parish organizations under its responsibility.

FUNCTIONS

• To assess the effectiveness of all present programs and organizations involved in the spiritual development of members of the parish.

• To provide assistance and direction to parish organizations under its wing.

• To pray together, share faith, and educate self to fulfill the responsibilities of this committee

• To analyze and identify developing liturgical needs of the parish.

• To work in close coordination and collaboration with the parish priest and all liturgical ministers.

• To present an annual budget to the Parish Pastoral Council

RELATIONSHIPS

The Worship and Spiritual Life Committee always serves the Parish Pastoral Council as do all other committees. It does not function in isolation from the council and other committees as all are bonded together in the Body of Christ. Constantly aware of the parish mission statement and the goals of the council, this committee proposes to the council what it believes will help the parish move toward living the mission and vision statements.

The Worship and Spiritual Life Committee cooperates with all other ministries of the Parish Pastoral Council when planning in areas that overlap.

ORGANIZATIONS UNDER WORSHIP

Apostleship of Prayer

Mission: To encourage Christians to make a daily offering of themselves to the Lord for the coming of God’s Kingdom and for the monthly intentions of the Pope in Eucharistic solidarity with the Body of Christ and loving service to others. Nourishing this spiritual program is the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Devotional Practices:

• Daily Offering of “all prayers, works, joys and sufferings” for the intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary; for the salvation of souls and reparation for sins; and for the specific monthly intentions of the Holy Father.

• The frequent (daily, if possible) reception of the Eucharist in mass, and visits to the Blessed Sacrament, including the participation in the Holy Hour every Friday, especially during First Fridays.

• Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Propagation of this devotion is also integral to the functions of the members.

• Devotion to the Blessed Mother through the daily praying of the rosary and participation in other Marian devotional practices.

Area Chapel Coordinators

The area chapels provide for the spiritual needs of parish communities located at a distance from the main parish church. Liturgical celebrations, prayers and devotions are held here. They are also used for vigils for the deceased and other needs of residents in the immediate vicinity. Chapel coordinators are appointed to serve as caretakers of the chapels and to liaise with the parish offices.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC)

According to Redemptionis Sacramentum #154-156, an EMHC is a layperson formally instituted to assist the priest in the distribution of the Christ’s Body and Blood to the Faithful during the Roman Catholic Mass, and to bring Christ’s gift of Himself, the Eucharist, to those who are unable to physically attend mass: the sick and incapacitated. Held in high regard by the community, EMHCs are expected to always comport themselves beyond reproach.

Family Rosary Crusade (FRC)

Mission: to evangelize the family and promote devotion of family members to the Blessed Mother through praying the Rosary together. Members of FRC join, often take the lead, in Marian devotions and processions in the parish.

Greeters and Collectors Group (GCG)

Called the ministers of hospitality, Greeters and Collectors welcome mass-goers, usher them to their seats, perform collection services, and ensure orderly reception of Communion, all these to impress upon the parishioners that they are important, being participants in the mass. They are also relied upon to serve during important liturgical celebrations i.e., during Advent, Christmas and Lenten Seasons, and Parish Fiesta Mass and procession.

Healing Ministry

Mission: to bring fullness of health in body, mind, emotions and spirit to SMDS parishioners and friends through Prayer, Counseling and Outreach Activities.

Specific Objectives and Goals

• To provide healing services to members, parishioners and others who may wish to avail of such services.

• To establish continuous intercessory prayers and services for ministry and CFC FFL activities, and for the petitions of members and other supplicants.

• To provide home and hospital visitations to sick members and others who are sick and suffering.

• To conduct continuous formation and training of members through teachings, seminars and retreats.

Programs

• Quarterly Healing Masses

• Weekly Home and Hospital Pray-over Visitations

• Annual Retreats and Meditation exercises

• Formation Talks and Teachings for Spiritual Growth

Knights of the Altar

• Composed of the youth, altar servers assist the priest at mass and other liturgical services. They also help in various tasks at the altar, and lead in processions with the cross, candles and/or thurible.

Lectors and Commentators Group (LCG)

“The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them.” Isaiah 50:4.

Members of LCG proclaim the word of God in Sacred Scripture during mass whereby the printed word becomes a form of spoken music (powerful or gentle, but always respectful); as a living, dynamic and timeless message of God to His people (From catholiclector.com); in a “tone of voice that corresponds to the genre of the text itself.” (GIRM #38) They hone up their skills and deepen their spirituality through regular formation programs. They are called to be persons of prayer and role models to the parish community.

Legion of Mary

The Legion of Mary is an association of practicing Catholics who serve God under the banner of Mary by practicing the Spiritual Works of Mercy, rather than works of material aid. Their main apostolate is directed to all men and women, young and old, rich or poor, as well as the marginalized sectors of society, and towards non-Catholics (From Wikipedia.org). Currently the group needs the infusion of new blood to bring it back into the mainstream life of the parish.

Mga Marshals ni Santa Maria della Strada

The “muscles” of parish worship activities, the marshals are relied upon to carry out the physical aspects of the liturgical celebrations. They are most active during the Holy Week when they prepare for, and participate in the “washing of the feet” on Holy Thursday, procession of the Holy Images on Good Friday and the Salubong on Easter Sunday. They hold weekly Sunday meetings for spiritual growth and nourishment, and for fellowship.

Mother Butlers Guild

Mother Butlers prepare the altar and materials for the celebration of the Eucharist. They do the flower and/or plant arrangements that decorate the sanctuary; they sew and launder altar linen and vestments.

Music Ministry

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) #39 states, “The Christian faithful who gather together as one to await the Lord’s coming are instructed by the Apostle Paul to sing together psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (cf. Col 3:16). Singing is the sign of the heart’s joy (cf. Acts 2:46)…There is also the ancient proverb: ‘One who sings well prays twice’.”

The choirs belonging to the parish Music Ministry are tasked to lead the songs of worship during mass and other liturgical celebrations. They set the joyful mood and expression of faith, praise, and thanksgiving of the people.

Perpetual Eucharistic Guardians

Seeking to cultivate a deep sense of spirituality centered on the Eucharist, the Eucharistic Guardians faithfully keep vigil for at least one hour in the Blessed Sacrament chapel, ideally on a 24/7 basis. This practice is in response to Jesus’ instructions to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque to keep a Holy Hour with the Lord. This devotion is currently in doldrums. Plans are afoot to revive and invigorate this holy practice.

FORMATION MINISTRY

PURPOSE

The Formation Ministry seeks to integrate daily living with faith and social justice. It researches, develops and provides the spiritual and pastoral tools for the growth of parish leaders and workers in such areas as, but not limited to:

• Creating awareness among the laity on their responsibility to share in the mission of the Philippine Church.

• Setting short and long range goals and programs for the pastoral and spiritual development of parish leaders and workers.

• Assisting in the formation needs of other parish ministries and organizations.

• Attending diocesan and vicariate formation assemblies.

RELATIONSHIPS

• The Formation Ministry does not operate in a vacuum apart from the Parish Council and other parish ministries. Rather, it serves the Council and proposes what it believes will help the parish move toward becoming the faith community that is envisioned in its mission statement.

• The Formation Ministry cooperates and collaborates with other ministries when their areas of planning and/or activities overlap.

SOCIAL SERVICE MINISTRY

• implement community service and development programs;

• promote the general well-being and improve the quality of life in the parish especially among the marginalized;

• promote social awareness through conscientization activities on current social concerns;

• maintain continuous and effective liaison with the public and private organizations involved in community service.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS MINISTRY

This Ministry is tasked to Implement and promote advocacy programs concerning life issues which border on government policies and principles.

It also communicate the social doctrines and other teachings of the Church as way of concretizing the integration of faith and justice

YOUTH MINISTRY

• Provide organization and formation amongst youth in realizing their potentials and charisms, elicit an active participation in parish activities and programs; further prepare them as future servant leaders in the parish and community.

• Mobilize the youth as an agent/instrument of evangelization and promotion of true Christian community among the youth and for others

• Implement programs that will address youth’s special needs and help build enthusiasm and good will among them.

Catechetical Ministry

Family Life Ministry