Diocesan Commission on the Laity of Sorsogon (DCOLS) Holds Congress

By Ms. Judith Deyto Ayo & Fr. Philippe A. B. Gallanosa Sorsogon City --- To show the different activities of the Council of the Laity (COL) / Lay Organizations Movements and Associations (LOMAS), the Diocesan Council of the Laity of Sorsogon through the Commission on the Laity held its First Diocesan Congress at the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Seminary High School Department Auditorium, Bibincahan, Sorsogon City, last Saturday, October 6, 2018. The Diocese of Sorsogon has for its organizational structure nine Commissions: The Family and Human Life, The Laity, The Youth, The Media for Evangelization, The Mission, The Worship, The Education, The Service and The Temporalities (FLYMEMWEST). It is through this Commission on the Laity that the COL becomes an implementer of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan (DPP), now on its Sixth Phase. Rev. Fr. Ernie D. Mendina, the COL Spiritual Director together with the Council’s EXECOM, planned out this Congress with the theme COL/LOMAS Called to Communion and Collaboration with the Clergy and the Consecrated for the New Evangelization. The event was participated in by at least 585 lay coming from the Five Vicariates of the Diocese of Sorsogon with 6 or 7 parishes each. These Vicariate delegates were the following: The Our Lady of the Pillar sent 77 participants; Sts. Peter and Paul, 105; St. Anthony of Padua (Gubat), 247; St. Michael the Archangel and the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception both had 78. With them were a number of priests. This one-day Congress included reports on the 5 Commissions such as The Family and Human Life, Social Service, Mission, Education, Temporalities, and Worship. Power Point/Video Presentations were also shown to demonstrate the collaboration and coordination of the COL/LOMAS with the Parish’s implementation of the 5 Pastoral Priorities. The highlight of the affair was the Talk of the Guest Speaker, Mr. Michael Angelo Lobrin, an inspirational speaker, actor, and author. His speech focused on three major concepts – FOCUS, GRATITUDE AND HUMILITY. With his style of speaking, Mr. Lobrin was able to inject his gift of humour and wit. Most Rev. Arturo M Bastes, SVD, D.D., Bishop of Sorsogon officiated the Holy Eucharist with some priests concelebrating. The commentator, lectors and the choir of St. Nicholas de Tolentino of Bentuco, Gubat led the celebration together with their Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Ernie D. Mendina. This Congress was aired live both in radio and television under the management of Rev. Fr. Philippe A. B. Gallanosa, Head of the Commission on Media for Evangelization in the Diocese of Sorsogon.