Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas  

Episcopal Commission on the Laity
(Council of the Laity of the Philippines)

  
  
 
 
 
 

Celebrating National Laity Week (NLW ’10)

September 26 to October 2, 2010

 

Once again the Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas will honor san Lorenzo Ruiz and blessed Pedro Calungsod, Patron Saints of the Catholic Laity of the Philippines and promote active lay involvement in social transformation by Celebrating National Laity Week (NLW ’10) on September 26 to October 2, 2010.

Celebrating National Laity Week (NLW ’10) on September 26 to October 2, 2010

 

THE THEME:

          “Sharing the Richness of Mother Church for Social Transformation”

Objectives:

  1. To involve the movements, organizations and Arch/Diocesan Councils of the Laity by taking their charisms, contributions to the Church and specialties to answer present & future needs of the Church  and Society;
  2. To gather the lay faithful together in communion to reaffirm and enliven its indispensable role in the life and mission of the Church, by actively promoting freedom, justice, peace, sharing and solidarity;
  3. To come up with specific and doable plan of actions, addressing present threats and obstacles to the realization of authentic social transformation. 

In Metro Manila we encourage organizations, Arch/dioceses to support the events we are organizing by sending participants for the following activities:

  • Launching Celebration – September 26, 2010, 9:00 A.M.–12:00 Noon
    • Venue: Lay Formation Auditorium, San Carlos Pastoral Formation    Complex, EDSA, Guadalupe, Makati City 
    • Activity: - Showcase of the different charisms and activities of affiliate National Lay Organizations
                   -  Eucharistic Celebration
  • Closing Celebration – October 2, 2010, 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
    • Venue: Medicine Auditorium, University of Santo Tomas, España,     Manila 
    • Activity:  - Conference and Seminars
                    -Eucharistic Celebration                                           

We would also like to encourage other proposed activities for Arch/diocese depending on the possibility as follows:

  1. Eucharistic Celebration
    • Make introduction to the Holy Mass by using the explanation in this flyer.
    • Homilies of Priests shall give emphasis on the theme.
  2. Organize prayer meetings to reflect on the theme.
    • Invite different Church lay organizations to a joint prayer meeting.
  3. Talks, Seminars, For a, Outreach Programs
    • Invite speakers to elaborate the theme.
    • Organize seminars among different lay organizations focused on the Pastoral Priorities of the Church particularly:
      • The Family as a focal point of evangelization.
      • Integral Faith Formation.
      • Empowerment of the Laity towards Social Transformation.
    • Organize outreach programs: medical missions, gift-giving in slum areas, poor communities and/or remote villages.
    • Initiate doable and lasting programs and projects that would aim towards authentic social transformation.
  1.   Setting of exhibits showcasing the different charisms and activities of lay organizations active in the parish.

Suggested Reading or References:

Apostolic Exhortations/Encyclical Letters 

  • Deus Caritas Est - Encyclical Letter of Pope Benedict XII on Christian Love
  • Christifideles Laici - Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of His Holiness Pope John Paul II on the Vocation and the Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World.  
  • Sollicitudo Rei Socialis - Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II on Social Concerns
  • Populorum  Progressio - Encyclical Letter of Pope Paul VI on the Development of Peoples.

Vatican II Documents:

  • Lumen Gentium - Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Chapter IV. “The Laity”.  
  • Gaudium et Spes - Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World.
  • Apostolicam Actuositatem - Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity
  • Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church: Chapter 12, No. II “Social Doctrine and the Commitment of the Lay Faithful”
  • Acts and Decrees of the Second Plenary of the Philippines (PCP II) - Part III: A Renewed Integral Evangelization / Part IV: The Community of Disciples: Workers of Renewals.
  • CBCP  Pastoral Statements
    • Building a Civilization of Love, A Pastoral Exhortation for the Year of Social Concerns. May 11, 2006.
    • Shepherding and Prophesying in Hope, A Pastoral Letter on Social Concerns. July 9, 2006.
    • God Hears the Cry of the Poor. January 25, 2009.
    • Year of the Two Hearts for Peace-Building and Lay Participation in Social Change. April 19, 2009.