On August 17, the Diocesan Filipino Ministry and guests tasted and saw the goodness of the Lord while attending an Evangelization Retreat. It was attended by 100 participants at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Riverside. The theme of the retreat was “The Joy of Engaging in a Ministry, its Challenges and its Future in our Changing Society.” The theme was discussed by four excellent speakers, Nadia Castro, former chairperson of Diocesan Filipino Ministry, Father Noel Cruz of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Loma Linda, Father Eliseo Napiere former pastor of St. James the Less Parish in Perris and lastly by Bishop Emeritus Gerald Barnes.
Castro spoke about the historical background of the Filipino Ministry and the challenges of building an organization with the help of the Filipino communities and clergies. She discussed the importance of the four pillars of evangelization: conversion, evangelization of cultures, liberation and ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue. She emphasized the importance of knowing Catholic Social Teaching to guide us in building a just society and living lives of holiness.
Fr. Cruz discussed both the joys and burdens of engaging in a ministry. It is a joy when we are doing it for the love and glory of God, he said, while adding that sometimes doing God’s will can be a burden since it requires giving up things, places or people we truly think we cannot live without. However, God provides for every need, and the graces we receive for following Him and loving Him will always greatly exceed the sacrifices we make, Fr. Cruz said.
Fr. Napiere focused on the mission and vision of the Filipino Ministry, its core values to live by, the promotion of Gospel values of “maka-Diyos” (pro God), maka-tao (pro people), maka-bayan (patriotic), maka-buhay (pro-life) and maka- kalikasan (for the integrity of creation) through the expression of Filipino culture, religiosity and spirituality.
Bishop Barnes reminded the ministry that what they are doing is extremely important, especially at this crucial moment when there is injustice, violence, and indifference. Bishop Barnes also stressed the importance of engagement and dialogue with the broader church and the need to meet, listen and accompany others who are seeking God wherever they are.