Bible Apostolate Commission holds formation seminar

By Julma Narvadez

“The Bible is the life, light and food of the soul of every Christian journeying to Christ Jesus. We, the laity, need to understand the Bible and live it out by continuous study and proclamation,” shares Eva Rillon after attending the Bible Formation Seminar on January 21 at the Basilica Minore, Naga City.

Meanwhile, Merlina Pellas says “During the seminar, we were taught how to understand the words in the Bible, their connection and similarities; how to deepen our understanding of the words in the Bible; how I can apply them to my own life and how I can share them with others.”

Rillon, a parishioner of the Divine Mercy Parish in Calabanga, Camarines Sur, is the SKK Lay Vicarial Coordinator of the Vicariate of Our Lady of La Porteria. Pellas, a parishioner of the St. Peter Baptist Parish in Ocampo, Camarines Sur, is the SKK Lay Vicarial Coordinator of the Vicariate of St. Clare. SKK stands for Saradit na Kristyanong Komunidad, or basic ecclesial communities.

Fr. Arlo Yap, SVD (center), together with Fr. Emil Valeza and the participants of the Bible Formation Seminar. (photo credit: Combiblia)

The activity was held in celebration of the National Bible Month. Fr. Arlo Fernando Yap, SVD, the resource speaker, is the Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Commission on the Biblical Apostolate of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

“It was generally fruitful, vibrant and the talk was relevant. It was practical in the sense that we can apply it to our programs especially the basic ecclesial communities, such as in the entry program for all buklod leaders” says Dr. Marita Quimlat. She is the SKK Chairperson of the Immaculate Conception Parish (ICP) in Naga City and a member of the archdiocesan team of the Office of BEC. At ICP, the prayer groups are called buklod.

Organized by the Commission on Biblical Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Caceres, the activity gathered around 500 participants according to Fr. Emil Valeza, the commission’s director. On his social media account, Fr. Valeza especially invited lectors, SKK Leaders and religious organizations.

The prayer leaders of the Consuelo “Chito” Madrigal Foundation – Bikol, a non-government organization with pro-poor programs, were also present. They are employees and program beneficiaries. Their participation was in connection with the Foundation’s Training and Formation Program which aims to organize and sustain prayer groups among beneficiaries and personnel.

The National Bible Month is celebrated every January and culminates in the last week as the National Bible Week.