From January 25 to 29 of this year, about 5,000 diocesan and religious priests from all over the country gathered for the Second National Congress of the Clergy (NCC 2) which was held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. The Congress was conducted in observance of the proclamation by Pope Benedict XVI in a letter dated 16 June 2009, which read:
“This year (is) meant to deepen the commitment of all priests to interior renewal for the sake of a stronger and more incisive witness to the Gospel in today’s world.” (NCC 2 General Information issued by the CBC Episcopal Commission on the Clergy)
The five-day Congress was focused on “providing the priests a deep and religious experience, a spiritual conversion, and a greater commitment to live a good, holy and apostolic life as shepherds of God’s flock.” (NCC 2 General Information)
The delegates were housed through the Family-Adopts-Priests “Home Stay Program” were some 3,000 host-families in the dioceses of Manila, Parañaque, Cubao, Pasig and Caloocan were adopted by host families who were expected to perform the following roles:
1. to have an encounter with the clergy in order to gain a better understanding of their life, prayer, ministry, and struggles;
2. to host one or two priests from January 25-29 providing a room, meals, and transport to and from the pick-up and drop-off points.
About 75 bishops and priests from the dioceses of Maasin, Calapan, Kidapawan and Boac were distributed among the parishes of the Vicariate of St. Joseph, of which the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice is a member. All but the Holy Cross Parish and the Quasi-Parish of San Isidro Labrador, who were both exempted from hosting delegates, accommodated at least two priest-delegates. Five priests, all from Maasin, were assigned to our parish. The following families acted as hosts to these priests:
Mrs. Gregoria Cervantes – Fr. Amiel Borneo
Ms. Elsie Opinaldo – Msgr. Santos Sabondo and Fr. Melbher Alfante
Mrs. Florinda Angela Lesaca – Fr. Vicente Alpeche Jr.
Mr. Rene & Mrs. Vilma Resuma – Fr. Angelo Arbiol
The delegations hosted by the Vicariate were transported from the World Trade Center to the drop-off and pick-up points in two tourist buses provided by the Diocese of Manila. One bus conducted the Kidapawan and Boac delegations to the drop-off and pick-up point (Sta Maria della Strada) while the Calapan and Maasin delegations were ferried in the second bus, which had the Parish of Holy Sacrifice as drop-off/pick-up point.
Each parish was encouraged by Rev Fr Raymond L Arre, Vicar Forane, to plan their own reception for the delegates. The Parish of the Holy Sacrifice, for instance, welcomed the delegation upon arrival with a modest dinner and a short program introducing the priests to their respective host families.
The Congress was culminated by a 1.2-kilometer procession as the delegates walked the entire distance from the World Trade Center to the Cuneta Astrodome. Marching through Roxas Boulevard, the clergy, with their respective bishops carried flags that bore the name of their respective diocese. A Mass was celebrated by Manila Archbishop Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales when the group arrived at the Cuneta Astrodome.
* Some information were taken from the NCC2 website: http://clergycongress2.org/
By Nestor Pilar
