Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas  

Episcopal Commission on the Laity
(Council of the Laity of the Philippines)

  
  
 
 
 
 

National Laity Week

September 27 to October 3, 2009

National Laity Week on September 27 to October 3, 2009

THE THEME:

          “The Laity: Changing Self & Society with Jesus and Mary”

Objectives:

  1. To understand and discuss the implications of the NLW’09 theme.
  2. To value lay vocation and its potentials in bringing about change in one’s life and society invoking the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
  3. To concretize creatively proposed activities for the NLW’09.

 
The Choice of NLW’09 Theme

  • This year’s choice of theme echoes the on-going call to the lay faithful to be primary agents of change starting from one’s self and affecting society. Recent Pastoral Statements of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) strongly urged the laity to be at the forefront of social transformation. “The participation of the laity in moral leadership pertaining to every specific discipline and institution in the Philippine society is most essential, if we want the Gospel and the social teachings of the Church to have a tangible and positive impact on our life as a nation.” (CBCP Pastoral Statement: Year of the Two Hearts for Peace-Building and Lay Participation in Social Change. April 19, 2009)
  • The theme also reflects the dedication of our nation, the year 2009-2010 as the “Year of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary”. The loving oblation represented by the Hearts of Our Lord and His Mother invites us to dedicate ourselves fully to the task of authentic social transformation.      

 

THE POSTER

          The pictorial component of the poster portrays the different aspects of the theme.                                                                                                      

  • Personal and societal change however is impossible if it is not anchored in Jesus and Mary.  From the wounded Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary flowed the grace of personal conversion that leads one to serve others. Under the gaze of Jesus Christ and Mary, one must live life beyond oneself, to sacrifice for the sake of others.
  • The images in the left side portray faces of social problems such as abject poverty, and sufferings brought about by calamities, depicting neglect and hopelessness. The scenery however in the right side illustrates positive images brought about by personal conversion, and loving concern towards our fellowmen, the environment and the world we live. Imagery in the upper right side reflects original Filipino values that we should hold on to such as simplicity, hardworking and caring. It further shows the simplicity of life in the rural areas compared to the congested and grueling life in the urban areas. 
  • Anchored on the love of Jesus and Mary, spiritually renewed and morally transformed, the laity can really effect change in society. We are aware that our prayer life, personal and community, the celebration of the Eucharist and the sacraments is central to this on-going faith formation and transformation of our lives.      

Proposed Activities

  1. Eucharistic Celebration
    • a) Make introduction to the Holy Mass by using the explanation in this flyer.
    • b) Homilies of Priests shall give emphasis on the NLW’09 theme.
  2. Organize prayer meetings to reflect on the theme and strengthen advocacy groups.
    • 2.a) Use “Prayer for the Year of the Two Hearts”.
  3. Talks, Seminars and Fora
  • Invite speakers  to elaborate on the Pastoral Letters:  “Year of the Two Hearts for Peace-Building and Lay Participation in Social Change.”  April 19, 2009 and “Lay Participation in Politics and Peace.” July 12, 2009.

              N.B. Start the talk by explaining the theme and its poster.

  • At least during the National Laity Week period, conduct or organize Values Formation   Program, (in schools, communities, civic organizations and government offices) focusing on the integration of spirituality  and political life of lay people.     
  • Organize outreach programs, such as: medical missions and gift giving in slum areas,  poor communities and remote villages. 
  • Initiate doable and lasting programs and projects that would benefit the unemployed members of communities.  

     4.  Retell the life stories of San Lorenzo Ruiz and Blessed Pedro Calungsod:  Emphasize that holiness is attainable by ordinary people.

    
Suggested Readings or REFERENCES FOR TALKS, SEMINARS & fora:

  • Apostolic Exhortations/ Encyclical Letters:
  • “Christifideles Laici”

Post- Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of His Holiness Pope John Paul II on the Vocation and the Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World.  

  • “Populorum Progressio”

Encyclical Letter of Pope Paul VI on the Development of Peoples. 

  • “Sollicitudo Rei Socialis”

Encyclical Letter of Pope Paul II on Social Concern.  

  • Vatican II Documents:
  • “Lumen Gentium” Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Chapter IV, “The Laity”.  
  • “Gaudium et Spes” Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World.
  • Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:
  • Chapter 12, No. II. “Social Doctrine and the Commitment  of the Lay Faithful”  
  • Acts & Decrees of the  Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II): 
  • Part IV. “The Community of Disciples: Workers of Renewals.” Nos. 404 – 447.
  • CBCP Pastoral Statements:
  • “Building  a Civilization of Love.” A Pastoral Exhortation for the Year of Social Concerns. May 11, 2006.
  • “Shepherding and Prophesying in Hope” A Pastoral Letter on Social Concerns. July 9, 2006.
  • “Reform Yourselves and Believe in the Gospel.” January 27, 2008.
  • “God Hears the Cry of the Poor” January 25, 2009. 
  • “Year of the Two Hearts for Peace-Building and Lay Participation in Social Change.”  April 19, 2009.
  • “Pastoral Statement on Lay Participation in Politics and Peace.” July 12, 2009.