TR1

Experience
It was already our third pastoral weekend and it was my first time to stay in Panalipan, Catmon for that weekend. I met the selda alagad and talked to her with my foster parent in that place. She told me that they had already their MAKALIPANG last Friday night, so we just decided to go to the neighboring selda to inquire also about their schedule. As our conversation continued I learned that not all of their neighbors belong to a selda. I also found out that they have always been visited by seminarians before and according to them it is a factor that the MAKALIPANG continued. I sensed that they also wished to help organize their neighbors next to their selda, but they show hesitation for according to them they lacked the proper competence for that matter. Our conversation moved my heart and made me ponder for some possible approaches to the circumstances of their community.
Social Analysis
The fact that not all in that neighborhood actively belong to a BEC selda could be attributed to the lack of interest of some people to get involved. The situation could be paralleled to that of religious organizations in the parish. There is only a limited number of membership and most of the baptized distanced themselves perhaps due to the perception that these are elite groups in the Church. Another reason for the lack of participation of the neighborhood in BEC might be the lack of understanding what this structure really is. The weekly Makalipang is sometimes misunderstood as the BEC itself; thus, most people looked at BEC as another church organization like the rest that they have encountered. They have not yet fully grasped the meaning of this way of being Church. Theological Reflection
The Church is indeed a community of faith. The formation of groups expresses the social nature of the person. In a secularized world these groups can help the Christian life in remaining faithful to the demands of the gospel and to the commitment to Church’s mission and apostolate (cf. Christifideles Laici, 29). This perspective has inspired me to commit to the formation of communities. As a matter of fact, we dare to struggle and pray for unity of peoples, for “behold, how good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell in unity (Ps 133:1)!”
Pastoral Action
In order to encourage the people to join in basic ecclesial communities, they must be aware of the basic information of BECs. This awareness can be brought about by personal interactions. Thus, a dialogue of life is to be conducted even if it will be just informal or if the circumstances allow short conferences will be conducted.