TAGAYTAY CITY, CAVITE (October 18-19) — The 2nd Diocesan Lay Formation Conference was held at CBCP Caritas Philippines Development Center, Bgy. Asisan, Tagaytay City on October 18-29, 2024.  The two-day conference, organized by the Diocesan Lay Formation Office (DLFO) in partnership with the Diocese of Imus Biblical Apostolate (DIBA), themed as Prayer and Discernment, was able to assemble 103 participants from the lay formation teams of different parishes in Cavite.

At exactly 4:00 in the afternoon, the conference commenced with the Bible enthronement through a pilgrim dance performed by the DIBA team. According to Bro. Julius Conjurado of DLFO, this conference aims to deepen the formation well-being of the laity of the Diocese of Imus.  It is also a crucial preparation for the upcoming diocesan synod to be held in 2026.

Ms. AC Nuestro, the DLFO coordinator, spoke in the first session about prayer and discernment. She gave emphasis on “Layo, Lawak, at Lalim” when it comes to the formation needs of communities. The participants were given a chance after dinner to bond together per vicariate to reflect about their buhay-lingkod, to share some crossroads they have encountered, and to speak about the fruits of those experiences.

The second day of the conference began with a Holy Mass at 6:00 am, presided by Rev. Fr. Reinier Dumaop, the priest animator of DLFO. He was also the speaker of session 2 where he focused on the Scriptures and pastoral activity, relating it to two paragraphs in the Vatican document Verbum Domini.  One paragraph is centered on pastoral mission and the other is about the laity.

Later during the day, the vicariate lay formation teams once again gathered to nominate two of their teammates that best exhibit ELFO – Envisioned Lay Formation Outcomes. Henceforth, vicariate coordinators were selected before the conference ended.  They are tasked to initiate meetings with the parishes within their care to help out with their formation needs. 

Bro. Rudy Francisco of DIBA presented how DIBA gave birth to the module of Pagpapakilala sa Bibliya.  A copy of which was distributed to each parish representative. (Maria Cristina V. Santos, DOI-SocCom)

(Image taken from the official Facebook page of Lay Formation Office - Diocese of Imus) 

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