PPC’s Ministries Present Plans and Programs for 2018
The traditional CTK Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) planning meeting was held last October 28 to 29 at Sonya’s Garden, attended by the ministry heads and representatives of parish organizations who comprised the PPC.
The full agenda included an introduction by Fr. Bong who set the parameters for the planning as well as the guidelines and why the exercise was important. Other diocese directions were discussed. Fr. Bong also shared his impending sabbatical before he moves to another Parish, capping his two 3-year assignment terms at CTK.
This was followed by the presentations of the ministries’ 2018 plans and budgets. Prior to this meeting, the ministry heads had sat down with Fr. Bong for a preliminary review. Questions were asked, and the final plan and budget approved, with the assistance of the Treasurers Bing and Elise del Rosario.
The presentation was started by the youngest of the ministries catering to the youngest parishioners and led by the youngest Ministry heads, Sonny and Mina Mejia. Innovative ideas were put forth. A significant observation was that there is an age group – from age 9 to 12 – that also needs attention – that fell between the pre-communicants of up to age 8 (Mustard Seed), and those in their teens (Youth). 2018 activities lined up to include this sector included: building up teaching resources; designation of the Feast of Sto. Nino as the Children’s Ministry Awareness Sunday; Parents and volunteers fellowship; greater interministry coordination; commissioning of children’s ministry core team; and volunteer workshops.
Led by Joanne and Regie Polancos, the Family and Life Ministry discussed its plans to continue conducting the Marriage Vocat ion Program and organizing: Parenting Talks, Conscience Formation of the Youth, Medical Mission projects, and, in collaboration with the Youth and Children’s Ministries, oversee the Kingdom of Heaven Fair activities.
Alma Yeh, who co-heads Catechetical Ministry with Sheryl Coronel, presented the plans of the Catechetical Ministry to hold: the regular summer catechetical classes, lent recollection for CTK scholars, first confession and confirmation classes and rites.
For the Vocation Ministry, Louie Laudico, who heads the ministry together with Anna Lagman, talked about: the planned encounter of altar servers with diocesan seminarians; celebrating vocation month; setting up a full-day program for Vocation Sunday; and the Vocation Eucharistic Hour; as well as scheduling talks to enlighten young men about priesthood as a vocation.
The ministry for the elderly, called the Sunrise Ministry, is headed by Doy and Estrelle Lopez. In their absence, the plans already approved after Fr. Bong’s review were presented by Louie Laudico.
Activities centered on physical, creative and formation concerns of the elderly members. The ministry also planned on conducting seniors’ ‘assemblies’, half-day affairs that include community singing, dancing, games, informative talks, free health check-ups, snacks, and freebies. A highlight is the visitation service by volunteer s of the sick elderly parishioners.
Mila Bangco, ministry head of Social Services and Development (SSD), explained how the works of the mandated organizations Apostleship of Prayer led by Wanda Reyes; Buklod ng Panginoon by Cita Pabillo, Catholic Women’s League by Kim Cua, Knights of Columbus by Boy Angeles, and Ladies of Charity by Fe Pery have brought the SSD closer to its objectives of poverty alleviation and improved living conditions for the oppressed, exploited, and depressed families. After the individual activities of the organizations were completed, Mila categorized activities into: Scholarship, Feeding, Livelihood, Rice Distribution, Prison Apostolate, Catechism- Recollection, and Medical-Dental Missions.
Fr. Bong celebrated mass for the attendees. Participants also had the opportunity to discuss ministry matters and shared experiences, problems and successes over first day dinner and second day breakfast.
The second day started with the presentation of the Youth Ministry led by Louie and Lei Abando. Activities discussed were the Youth Pilgrimage, PREX Youth, Days with the Lord, November Fiesta Kick Off, Kingdom of Heaven Fair, Vicariate Summer Sports League, Vicariate Youth Ministry Visitations, Easter Egg Hunt, Social Service Outreach, and the monthly youth gathering both for the high school and
college levels.
In the absence of Formation Ministry Head Joey Galvez, Bing del Rosario, who was present during the previous week’s Q&A with Fr. Bong, presented the ministry’s plans of continuing the Bible study formation series. Additions were a new weekly Familiarization with the Faith series, and the Formation topics relevant to the Year of the Clergy and Stewardship.
In line with Formation activities, Life in the Spirit (LSS) Parish Prayer Community plans were presented by Pepe and Billie Pilar who presented for LSS leaders Bobby and Marge San Juan. The Community’s weekly activities of healing mass, praise and worship, sharing and teaching night were discussed. Pepe discussed the request support for its healing mass during the World Day of the Sick, teaching sessions,
and Life in the Spirit Seminar.
Tiny Perfecto discussed plans for the BEC, a major part of which is the conduct of BEC Awareness and Orientation Seminars . It will continue i t s involvement with the Libis BEC projects and seek to be more active in the villages. The Ministry has also planned a recollection activity for the Libis and village BECs.
Led by Peter and Leila Banico, the Worship Ministry, with the most number of members, provides for orderly and meaningful liturgical celebrations. The following are the groups within the Ministry, their leaders and number of members: Lectors and Commentators (Lecoms) led by Mel Novales, with 52; Music led by Benjie Mirasol with 24 choirs, 2 instrumentalists, 2 vocalists; Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Communion (EMHC), led by Albert Cuadrante, with 97; Greeters and Collectors (Grecols) led by Jeanette Cagurangan, with 28 ; and Altar Servers, led by Louie Laudico, with 35. Formation talks and renewals were going to comprise the most common activity for the groups, with the exception of the music ministry which is still focused on choir training to provide music for worship.
Jing and Girlie Alampay, heads of the Public Affairs Ministry, explained why the activities scheduled for 2017 were not carried out and instead proposed a livelihood project for 2018. They also planned for a talk on the ‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ for the police. Media Ministry head Bing del Rosario presented the activities carried out for 2017 as well as the plans for 2018 with respect to the CTK website, newsletter, as well as the newly-installed LED display. Under the leadership of Sheryl Coronel and Althea Geronilla, the social media, that is, Facebook, Instagram, etc., arm will remain active and continues to lend support to the Media Ministry goals.
Capping the presentations on projects and corresponding cost budget was Bert and Marie Anne Santos, head coordinator of CTK’s PPC. Bert Santos explained that the administrative expenses are included under the PPC, to wit: salary and allowances of the PPC assistant; supplies; the Coffee After Church Project, and midyear recollection. 2018 donations for the Year of the Clergy activities had also been included under the PPC.
In her integration, Treasurers Elise and Bing del Rosario presented the corresponding budget of each Ministry, commenting that the total budget totaling more than 8.5 million pesos is up by 30% over that of 2017. More than half of the budget is allocated to Social Services and Development. PPC has the next biggest share at 11% and Worship Ministry at 8%. It was also noted that disbursements range from half to almost a million each month.
Capping off the presentations was that of Stewardship, led by Benjie and Carina Mirasol. Benjie stated that the Stewardship group aims to create givers who are Christ-centered as well as to widen the base of parish workers, using the unique talents and gifts of more and more families in the parish. It is from the Stewardship activities that funds for the various ministries are sourced.
The planning presentations concluded with Fr. Bong providing the Closing Remarks. He congratulated the PPC on well-thought out plans for next year but at the same time, he emphasized the importance of faithful execution of the various planned projects and activities.
