MAKATI City, Jan. 26, 2015—Officially, it’s the Year of the Poor. But it doesn’t mean the Year of the Laity ended.
The Lay Formation Center (Layforce) recently gave the first in a series of formation talks for 2015 with the former Manila Auxiliary, now Infanta Bishop Bernardino C. Cortez giving a talk on “Discipleship and the Dignity of the Human Person.”
In an interview, Rogie Lecaroz of Layforce told CBCP News that the talks comprising what is dubbed the “Katolikong Pinoy Formation Series” aim to empower the laity by making them aware of and respond to their unique roles and responsibilities in the Church.
The laity get to hear a personal message from Pope Francis during the Encounter with the Families at the SM Mall of Asia, Jan. 16. 2015. (Photo: Noel Lavin)
Monthly talks
Themed “Kapwa ko, kasama ko sa pagsunod kay Kristo,” the formation series is now on its 11th year and draws inspiration from Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, “Evangelii Gaudium” (“Joy of the Gospel”).
The talks are held every third Saturday of the month, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Layforce Chapel, San Carlos Pastoral Formation Complex, Epifanio de los Santos Ave., Guadalupe, Makati City.
The schedule is as follows:
Feb. 21
Fenny Tatad
Act of Commitment to Human Solidarity
Mar. 21
Fr. Filemon Dela Cryz, O.P.
Need to Embrace the Sense of Mission ( Lenten Recollection )
Apr. 18
Atty. Lorna Kapunan and Sonia Roco
Goes Forth as a Community of Evangelizers
(Characteristics of an Evangelizing Community)
May 16
Chichi Fajardo and Josefina Olorocisimo
Achieving the Common Good by Active Participation of the Lay
June 20
Sr. Maria Anicia Co, R.V.M. and Lance Raymundo
Learning to Live the Language of Love
July 18
30th Layforce Anniversary
Nurturing Gifts through Nourishment of The Gospel
Aug. 15
Atty. Alex Lacson
Laity’s Involvement in the Lives of Others
Sept. 19
Fr. Richard James Babao
Awareness to Evangelize and Educate the Young
Oct. 17
Manila Archbishop Emeritus Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales and Arnold Baldemor
Inner Transformation Prerequisite to Social transformation
Nov. 21
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo
Key for Building a Just Society amidst the Challenges of Today
Dec. 12
Fr. Gerard Reyes
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
Joy, meaning
Paragraph 269 of Evangelii Gaudium says: “Jesus himself is the model of this method of evangelization which brings us to the very heart of his people. How good it is for us to contemplate the closeness which he shows to everyone!”
It continues, “Moved by his example, we want to enter fully into the fabric of society, sharing the lives of all, listening to their concerns, helping them materially and spiritually in their needs, rejoicing with those who rejoice, weeping with those who weep; arm in arm with others, we are committed to building a new world.”
According to the Holy Father, people do so not from a sense of obligation, not as a burdensome duty, but as the result of a personal decision which brings joy and gives life meaning.
Interested parties may call the Layforce office at: (02) 895-88-55 local 300-301, (02) 896-06-07; or email at: slrlayforce_2008@yahoo.com. (Raymond A. Sebastián/CBCP News)
