SANDAKAN: A total of 45 PPC members comprising clergy, religious and lay members from the four parishes of the Diocese of Sandakan attended a three-day Diocesan Formation Seminar for PPC members beginning Nov 27.

Bro John D’Cruz, the Lasallian Formation Director, based in La Salle Centre, Ipoh was the main facilitator.

Bishop Julius in his welcoming speech said, “In moving ahead together, we need to pause to concentrate on the process strategically about parish vitality. Vibrant parishes do not just happen. We need pastoral excellence to steer us. We need competent and committed parish leaders of all level.”

Participants were divided into mixed groups to allow them to experience and develop the skill of building communities. The main topic of the day was on deeper understanding of BECs-a new way of being Church. They shared on the following; Common understanding of Christian life, The realities of Parish life, Difficulties in living out the Christian life and Expectations of Community life.

The second day of the formation seminar for PPC members continued with group sharings and discussions on two important topics: Living out the Gospel values and Community witness and Practical life skills for building up the community.

Participants had the opportunity to learn basic life skills and life processes using pastoral methods in sharing their life experiences through being aware of the realities and the difficulties of living out the Christian faith. Together they analysed the reasons why such problems exist.

They reflected on the life of Jesus in encountering such difficulties and then responded to the situation.

The sessions of the day were designed to fall in line with the goals and objectives of the seminar as well as the pastoral needs of the Diocese.

The third and final day of the Formation started off with an input session by Bro John on Institutional Church and Community Church — a new way of being Church.

He led the participants to be aware of the wave of movement from the conventional teaching which focused on result and work values to the new approach in learning which focused more on child development and life values. ‘Facilitators’ are needed to build up individuals and the communities.

Participants were put into parish groups to share on development of BECs in their own parish. They went through the process of basic life skills in handling situations/issues which included: Increasing awareness (conscious of the situation, the realities, the difficulties); Deeper reflection (knowing the life of Christ, a happier way to live,be a better person); Action possibilities (promote a better communion, bring out the values of Jesus Christ).

The seminar ended with Mass at St Mary’s Chapel. The main celebrant was Bishop Julius with Msgr Nicholas Ong and Fr Thomas Makajil concelebrating.

Bishop Julius urged everyone to be watchful, to be more aware of the realities happening within the Church, to pray and meditate as well as to reflect deeply based on Christ’s teachings before responding to the situations. In life processes it is important to share the time, talents and treasure for the growth of the Church.

He went on to say, “The seminar has just ended but actual work in building and sustaining Basic Ecclesial Communities in each parish will have to begin after this.”