In collaboration with the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission, the Christian Formation Office spearheaded a Formation Program For Lay Liturgical Ministers. Some two hundred five Paulinian students, staff and faculty joined the formation session and recollection on October 24 and 27, 2018, at the Mo. Madeleine Denoga Hall, at St. Paul University Philippines.
On October 24, 2018, Rev. Fr. Bernice Wynn P. Rio, Consultant of Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission and Parochial Vicar of St. Dominic de Guzman Parish, Piat, Cagayan, gave a talk on The Role of the Laity in the Life and Mission of the Church: An Introduction to the Lay Liturgical Ministries of the Church. The talk highlighted the Lay Ministries and The Understanding of the Eucharist.
The concurrent session was facilitated by the Christian Formation team. Invited resource speakers on the different ministries gave valuable input: 1. Extraordinary Ministers of Communion was given by MS. OFELIA Q. CAGURANGAN, Chairman, Worship Committee, St. Peter’s Metropolitan Cathedral Parish; 2. Ministry of Altar Servers by REV. FR. BERNICE WYNN P. RIO, Consultant, Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission; 3. Ministry of Word by REV. FR. CHATE LEIR JAVIER, Director, Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission, Parochial Vicar, St. Peter’s Metropolitan Cathedral; 4. Music Ministry by REV. FR. ERNEST RAYMUND SIMEON, Head, Committee on Sacred Music and Prefect of Discipline, Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Aparri; and 5. Ministry of Hospitality by SR. MERCEDES BACAOCO, SPC, Director, SPUP Christian Formation.
On October 27, 2018, Fr. Bernice Wynn Rio facilitated the Recollection with the theme: Liturgical Ministers: Serving the Jesus Way, followed by confession and celebration of the Eucharist at the Our Lady of Chartres Chapel.
The spiritual formation and the training prepare the Paulinians for the scheduled Rite of Commissioning in as much as the ministers “must all be deeply imbued with the spirit of the liturgy and they must be trained to perform their functions in a correct and orderly manner” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 29).
The Formation Program for Lay Liturgical Ministers aims at instilling a deeper understanding and love for the liturgy, their ministry, and ultimately, the Lord, whom we all serve.
