The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque  Jesse E. Mercado, D.D. PASTORAL LETTER 1

“Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life to many.” (Mt20:26-28) 2

Looking Back: 2017 - YEAR OF THE PARISH 3

Diocesan BEC Animation Group Three Level Program of Action Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) Diocesan BEC Animation Group Three Level Program of Action The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque  Jesse E. Mercado, D.D. PASTORAL LETTER December 3, 2017 1. Establishment of a BEC Institute (Formation) 2. Institutionalization of BEC Day (Celebration) 3. Implementation of the BEC Outreach Program “Sugod sa Sambahayan” (Mission) 4

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque 2017 Role of the Laity as co-shepherds in the church The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque  Jesse E. Mercado, D.D. PASTORAL LETTER December 3, 2017 5

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque  Jesse E. Mercado, D.D. PASTORAL LETTER December 3, 2017 6

A year of intensive reflection & formation on the role of the clergy and consecrated persons in the life of the Church. 2 0 1 8 7 Called, blessed, and broken in order to be shared, we will look into the vocation of the clergy & consecrated person in their roles as SERVANT-LEADERS. 7

The vital role of the clergy as a man of communion with 8 “The Spirit of the Lord has anointed me to preach the Good News, to proclaim freedom for the captives…” (Luke 4:18). The vital role of the clergy as a man of communion with God and His people… called to be SERVANT-LEADERS of his community. ….. has become even more critical given the situation of the clergy in the Diocese of Parañaque.

A Brief Situationer in our Diocese 9 A Brief Situationer in our Diocese decrease in number of vocations only 57 active diocesan priests one priest for every 15,000 to 20,000 faithful for the next 4 years, no candidates for priestly ordination aging presbyterium

“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Lk 10:2 FF 10

SERVANT-LEADERSHIP ACCOMPANIMENT A View Through the Prism (concept) of ACCOMPANIMENT 11

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Kalakbay SERVANT LEADERSHIP is a Call to ALL Disciples of Jesus The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque  Jesse E. Mercado, D.D. SERVANT LEADERSHIP is a Call to ALL Disciples of Jesus 13 PASTORAL LETTER

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque  Jesse E. Mercado, D.D. Kalakbay as baptized Christians, we receive the threefold mission (triple munera): Prophetic, Priestly, Kingly roles; each of us have our own distinct but related charisms in the evangelization of God’s people and in the exercise of servant leadership; Despite the diversities, we are united in our journey as missionary disciples of Jesus in the building up of the Church. 14

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque  Jesse E. Mercado, D.D. Kalakbay For the year 2018, the clergy is being asked to discern how their own gifts vis-a-vis that of the Laity and the Consecrated Persons can blend and contribute to the life of the community as co-pilgrims or co-sojourners (Kalakbay). 15

Kaakbay The Relationship Between the Diocesan and Religious Clergies The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque  Jesse E. Mercado, D.D. Kaakbay 16 The Relationship Between the Diocesan and Religious Clergies PASTORAL LETTER

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque  Jesse E. Mercado, D.D. Kaakbay The diocesan priests are the “salt of the earth”; The religious priests (& the consecrated persons) are like the “light of the world”; Reflecting on how the diocesan & religious clergies can concretely and meaningfully apply their respective charisms while working together within the context of the diocese. 17

Kaagapay The Relationship Between the Parish Priest and the Laity The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque  Jesse E. Mercado, D.D. 18 The Relationship Between the Parish Priest and the Laity PASTORAL LETTER

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque  Jesse E. Mercado, D.D. Kaagapay The priest is one who acts in “persona Christi Capitis” (in the person of Christ the Head) in his parish and community. 18

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque  Jesse E. Mercado, D.D. Like Jesus, who “came not to be served but to serve ” (Mk 10:45)… … the leadership of the Parish Priest is characterized primarily by service. 20

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque  Jesse E. Mercado, D.D. 21 By his ordination, the Priest is able to serve as a mediator between God and his people through preaching the Word of God, leading the congregation in worship, presiding over the Sacraments and taking the lead in the Church’s hierarchy of service.

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque  Jesse E. Mercado, D.D. 22 The parishioners are called to support and complement the parish priest by prayer, by sharing their time, talents & treasure; by actively involving themselves in the various parish ministries; and by harmoniously working together with their pastor in the planning & implementation of the parish plans & programs.

Kaagapay In essence, it is a collaborative partnership under the The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque  Jesse E. Mercado, D.D. 23 In essence, it is a collaborative partnership under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. PASTORAL LETTER

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque SERVANT LEADERSHIP The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque  Jesse E. Mercado, D.D. PASTORAL LETTER December 3, 2017 24 A CHALLENGE TO OUR PRIEST

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque SERVANT LEADERSHIP The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque  Jesse E. Mercado, D.D. PASTORAL LETTER December 3, 2017 25 A PLEA TO OUR LAITY 25

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque  Jesse E. Mercado, D.D. PASTORAL LETTER December 3, 2017  “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” Let us turn to our Blessed Mother and ask her to intercede for us, to commend to God the clergy of the Diocese of Parañaque… Acts 20:32 26

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque  Jesse E. Mercado, D.D. PASTORAL LETTER December 3, 2017 Prayer for the Year of the Clergy and the Consecrated Persons Loving God, you appointed your priests and consecrated persons to go before You to reach the places you intend to visit, and the hearts you intend to gather. You ordained and consecrated these men and women that you may have laborers to assist you in the work in Your vineyard. Humbly we ask You, make our clergy and consecrated persons faithful to the graces you have bestowed upon them. Set their hearts on fire with love for Your people. May they be diligent in their obligations, be absorbed in them, so that Your Reign may be manifest to all.

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque  Jesse E. Mercado, D.D. PASTORAL LETTER December 3, 2017 Prayer for the Year of the Clergy and the Consecrated Persons (continued) Bless also the laity, that they may they be faithful co-shepherds who care for, nurture, guide, challenge, and inspireYour ministers. May they give themselves to work together with their priests for the building up of Your Church. May Your Spirit enlighten, inspire, and spur the hearts of the youth, to generously respond to Your call to become Jesus’ disciples as diocesan priests and consecrated persons. May their loving response allow the entire world to hear that Your Reign is truly at hand. We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You as our Eternal Priest. Amen.

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Parañaque  Jesse E. Mercado, D.D.