Witnessing the Growth of Basic Ecclesial Communities All over the Country

Since I came down from the mountain  of Busay last month, I've been doing a lot of traveling in various parts of the country. On the last week of April, I was in Daet, Camarines Norte meeting with the bishop and the BEC director to finalize the format and process of assessing the BECs in the diocese. Then during the first week of May, I flew to Cebu to give the keynote speech of the BEC congress of the Consolacion parish. Archbishop Jose Palma was  the principal celebrant of the mass. A few days later I went to Boac, Marinduque to attend the 30th anniversary of the BECs in the diocese. There were over four thousand delegates from the BECs who joined the celebration. I was one of the guest speaker. Then at the middle of the month, I was one of the resource persons of the workshop for the leaders and members of the BEC parish formation teams of the diocese of Kalookan. Then last Saturday, I was the guest speaker of the diocesan BEC day of the Cubao diocese. Two weeks from now, I will be in Cagayan de Oro to conduct a seminar-workshop for the clergy of the archdiocese. A few days later, I will be conducting the workshop for the lay pastoral workers in the archdiocese.

This has been one of the busiest months for me. I spend more time visiting dioceses than in the office. I like this work very much. It gives me the chance to see how BECs continue to flourish all over the country, not just in the rural areas of Mindanao but in the urban areas like Metro-Manila and in traditional areas on Northern Luzon and the Bicol Region. There's so much diversity in terms of approaches, shapes and levels of growth. I will be preparing my report to the bishops who will be gathering here in Manila during the first week of July.

Meanwhile, my training for the marathon has been put on hold due to my busy schedule. I've also been having problems with both my knees - some swelling and pain. I have to use my mountain bike more often. Perhaps, I can bike around Laguna Lake after the CBCP assembly.