BEC Talk Show held at Holy Cross Parish in Nabua

By Natalie Hazel P. Quimlat, MD

105 delegates attended the Talk Show on Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) at the Holy Cross Parish in Nabua, Camarines Sur last January 27, 2024, Saturday. Entitled “Revisiting Basic Ecclesial Communities”, the Talk Show was hosted by Holy Cross Parish Pastoral Council Vice-Chairperson and BEC Coordinator Elmer Registrado with guests Dr. Marita Quimlat, Mr. Boy de Guzman, Mrs. Vangie de Guzman, Mrs. Salve Bermudo, and Mrs. Olive Dadua -members of the BEC Core Group of the Immaculate Conception Parish (ICP) in Naga City. Questions raised varied from personal, daily life to leadership strategies and sustainability.

Real Talk on BEC

According to Mr. de Guzman, forming BECs were difficult at first and the journey requires a lot of patience, but despite its hurdles, being in the same Ministry with his wife, Mrs. Vangie, has made them closer in terms of respect and love. Mrs. Vangie admits that being in the same Prayer Group with her husband has even nurtured their closeness and has made them grow spiritually.

Dr. Quimlat shared that although her private practice as a physician has never been compromised, a lot of time has been invested and required in forming BECs -staying in Communities until after dinner, engaging in prayer groups and social activities that foster camaraderie through the faith.

For Mrs. Bermudo and Mrs. Dadua, being active members of their respective BECs, have brought them closer to God, by way of prayer life. Both shared that being given leadership roles have also boosted their morale and personal growth.

The aforementioned activity was organized under the leadership of Holy Cross Parish Parish Priest Fr. Albert Orillo and Parochial Vicars Fr. Larry Nagales and Fr. Jose Oh Pimentel, with Parish Pastoral Council Chairperson Nancy Penetrante. It aims to identify committed and dedicated lay leaders. This succeeds the BEC Basic Orientation given by the BEC Archdiocesan Team headed by Chairperson Fr. Emmanuel Mojica. The Holy Cross Parish aims to organize and establish BECs hence, the series of formation events. As one of the Parishes of the Archdiocese with active and sustainable BECs, the ICP-Naga BEC Core Group was invited to share their pastoral experiences. In 2011, BECs were established in ICP-Naga under the leadership of former Parish Priest Fr. Mario Gaite and Parochial Vicars Fr. Enrico Paglinawan and Fr. Jesse Edaugal.