St. Joseph Parish Donsol at the Launching of DEEP V

St. Joseph Parish in Donsol joined the other parishes of the Diocese of Sorsogon in the Launching of the Diocesan Ecclesial and Evangelization Program (DEEP) phase V held at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Sorsogon City last February 6, 2o10. The DEEP is the diocesan pastoral program of the Diocese of Sorsogon, which gives the direction of the diocese for the next five years. This new phase of DEEP, which was the result of the Diocesan Pastoral Assembly attended by the different delegations from all the parishes and other religious congregations and institutions affiliated in the diocese, held last November 3-4, 2009 at the Our Lady of Penafrancia Seminary Minor Department. The phase V of the pastoral program of the diocese centers on the formation of Basic Ecclesial Communties in all the parishes of the diocese, a goal which is in line of the diocesan vision:

"a community of faith, living in love according to Gospel message, responding in service through the signs of the time striving in hope for the coming of the Kingdom of God."

The Launching was highligthed with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided over by no less Most Rev. Arturo M. Bastes, SVD, DD, concelebrated by almost all the priests in the diocese and attended by the different delegates from all the parishes, religious organizations, pilot BECs and catholic institutions under the diocese. Activities also include converging parade by vicariate, press conference, exhibit of the BECs' products and a simple program.

In his homily, Msgr. Reynaldo Mabute, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Sorsogon reminded everyone with our common vocation to continue the mission of Christ which is nothing but the mission to LOVE. An embodied Love should define the communty of faith and of hope that the diocese envisions to be; a Love that is sensible, something that is seen and felt. by the beloved. This , Msgr. Mabute added, is realized in the Basic Ecclesial Communities.

St. Joseph Parish currently has two established BECs -- Bantay Pamilya and Kapitbahayan from brgy. PWWD and Tupaz respectively -- and three new ones from brgy. Ogod, Sitio Pinarik and Sitio Halabang Tulay. Three of the five BECs from the parish attended the launching. Also part of the parish's delegation were the Lay Ministers, Catechists and the Parish Pastoral Council officers together with their family.