Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan

“The Word of God is now on the air!” This was announced by Msgr. Renato P. Mayugba, DD, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan. He said that a local radio station has welcomed the Pope John Paul II Biblical Center to bring the Word of God on air. Bombo Radio will air the Word of God everyday from 9:00 - 9:15 in the evening. Before, only the praying of the Holy Rosary was being broadcasted. Now, before the holy rosary is prayed the Word of God is proclaimed. The Word is proclaimed in the Pangasinan language.

In the blog  of the Pope John Paul II Biblical Center, Msgr. Renato P. Mayugba further said that the readings from  the letters of St. Paul are being read this year. He said, “We believe that the Word of God is powerful! Remembering St. Paul’s own declaration ‘I am not ashamed of the Gospel’  inspires us to preach the Word of God in season and out of season. We believe that hearing the Word of God can bring much good in our troubled world. In a world that needs radical change the power of the Word of God can be the lamp that would guide our paths. In a world awash with bad news (and we do get a lot of very disgusting and distressings bad news each day!) how wonderful to listen to the Good News! How good it is to end each day with the Good News!

The more than 500 delegates during the First Family Bible Congress, 17 January 2009.

In a circular letter signed by Msgr. Renato P. Mayugba, DD, the Auxiliary Bishop, an invitation coming from the Biblical Apostolate of the Archdiocese together with the Family and Life Apostolate was sent to the different Bible animators, Family Life workers, Catechists, BEC Coordinators and Youth, and various religious organizations and movements (CFC, WE, ME, CFM and other such groups) of the different parishes and chaplaincies of the Archdiocese to celebrate the First Family Bible Congress. The congress was celebrated last 17 January, Saturday. It started at 1:00 PM and ended at 5:00 PM. The St. Therese Gym of the St. Therese Parish in Dagupan City was the venue of the congress.

The congress’ objectives and rationale were the following:  to celebrate the centrality of the Word of God in the life of the Christian family and that the Word of God will be the bond of unity in the family. Msgr. Renato P. Mayugba DD was main speaker of the event. Fr. Fidelis B. Layog, the Archdiocesan Biblical Apostolate Director, said that about 300 delegates were expected to attend the first Family Bible Congress. The attendance was more than what was expected. Fr. Winston Estrada, the Apostolate Director of the Familyl and Life Apostolate, also spoke to the almost 500 delegates who enthusiastically celebrated the congress, the first of its kind in the Archdiocese.

At the same time, the congress became an occasion for the Archdiocese to celebrate  NATIONAL BIBLE WEEK with its theme: MAY THEY BE ONE! Msgr. Mayugba spoke about the congress as an opportunity for the different ministries and apostolates of the Archdiocese to work towards a concerted and collaborated effort of building our BECs that have families grounded on the Word of God, with all group working as one.

In a special note the congress also launched the availability of the  subsidized bible (P50.00 only) for poor families in cooperation with the Episcopal Commission of the Biblical Apostolate (ECBA) in its program of bringing ” 5 MILLION BIBLES for 5 MILLION FAMILIES in 5 YEARS!” In the congress, Msgr. Renato P. Mayugba, DD, grouped the participants for a workshop-sharing. They reflected on two questions with regard to the role of the Bible in the Family: “What good are we doing?” and “What do we need to do more?” The responses of the delegates were both hopeful and inspiring.

Msgr. Renato P. Mayugba, DD sharing his reflection to the delegates

Msgr. Renato P. Mayugba, DD with Fr. Winston Estrada, FLA Director

TO: The Diocesan Clergy, Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan

RE: FAMILY BIBLE CONGRESS

Your Reverences:

The Biblical Apostolate, together with the Family and Life Apostolate of the Archdiocese, in celebration of the National Bible Week is inviting your Bible animators, Family Life workers, Catechists, BEC Coordinators and Youth, and various religious organizations and movements (CFC, WE, ME, CFM and other such groups) to a

FAMILY BIBLE CONGRESS

on January 17, 2009, from 1:00PM - 5:00 PM to be held at the ST. THERESE GYM, in Dagupan City.

This will be the occasion for us to celebrate already our NATIONAL BIBLE WEEK which has the theme: MAY THEY BE ONE! This will also be an opportunity for us to work towards a concerted and collaborated effort of building our BECs that have families grounded on the Word of God, with all group working as one. This will, finally, be the occasion for us to launch also a subsidized bible (P50.00 only) for poor families as we join the Episcopal Commission of the Biblical Apostolate (ECBA) in its program of ” 5 MILLION BIBLES for 5 MILLION FAMILIES in 5 YEARS!”

(SGD) + RENATO P. MAYUGBA, DD, Auxiliary Bishop

6 January 2009