Post on 22-Jan-2016
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Forming & Revitalizing Forming & Revitalizing
Basic Ecclesial Basic Ecclesial Communities:Communities:
Basic Principles & Best Basic Principles & Best PracticesPractices
Amado L. Picardal, CSsR, Amado L. Picardal, CSsR, STDSTD
There are many approaches and There are many approaches and ways of building BECsways of building BECs
In spite of this, there are some In spite of this, there are some common principles and strategic common principles and strategic components based on best components based on best practices gathered over the years.practices gathered over the years.
Pre-requisites for Pre-requisites for Sustainable BECsSustainable BECs
Building BECs: Diocesan Pastoral Building BECs: Diocesan Pastoral ThrustThrust
The building of BECs should be regarded as The building of BECs should be regarded as part of the process of renewing the local part of the process of renewing the local Church. Church.
The bishop promotes the BEC vision and The bishop promotes the BEC vision and program to the clergy, religious & lay program to the clergy, religious & lay leaders. This includes a process of leveling-leaders. This includes a process of leveling-off and formal acceptance as diocesan thrust off and formal acceptance as diocesan thrust (ex: thru diocesan pastoral assembly/synod) (ex: thru diocesan pastoral assembly/synod)
A diocesan BEC commission may be formed A diocesan BEC commission may be formed to assist parishes in building BECs.to assist parishes in building BECs.
Other diocesan commissions should be Other diocesan commissions should be oriented to support the formation & growth oriented to support the formation & growth of BECs of BECs
Building BECs: a parish Building BECs: a parish programprogram
The parish priest promotes the BEC The parish priest promotes the BEC vision/ program in his parish (seminars, vision/ program in his parish (seminars, consultation, parish assembly).consultation, parish assembly).
A parish formation team is set up and A parish formation team is set up and trained that will assist in building BECs.trained that will assist in building BECs.
Parish strategic/pastoral plan is made Parish strategic/pastoral plan is made (SWOT analysis, setting parish vision-(SWOT analysis, setting parish vision-mission-objectives, adopting approaches mission-objectives, adopting approaches & strategy, programming)& strategy, programming)
Recruitment and Formation Recruitment and Formation of Parish Formation Team of Parish Formation Team
(PFT)/Core Group(PFT)/Core Group The team should be composed mostly The team should be composed mostly
of volunteers who have gone through of volunteers who have gone through the process of evangelization and the process of evangelization and conversion, who have imbibed the BEC conversion, who have imbibed the BEC vision, and who are highly committed vision, and who are highly committed and competent.and competent.
If the parish can afford it, one or two If the parish can afford it, one or two full time pastoral workers can be hired full time pastoral workers can be hired from among them. from among them.
Role of the Parish Role of the Parish Formation TeamFormation Team
Help develop and implement a parish Help develop and implement a parish pastoral planpastoral plan
Help in gathering data about the parish and Help in gathering data about the parish and the local communities and make a strategic the local communities and make a strategic planplan
Assist in Evangelizing the local communitiesAssist in Evangelizing the local communities Organize the BECs and help train leadersOrganize the BECs and help train leaders Help mobilize BECs for social Help mobilize BECs for social
transformationtransformation Monitor the development and growth of Monitor the development and growth of
BECs.BECs.
The Diocesan BEC Commission/Formation The Diocesan BEC Commission/Formation Team can support the formation of the Team can support the formation of the Parish formation team. Their function is not Parish formation team. Their function is not primarily organizing but training and primarily organizing but training and providing material necessary for BECs providing material necessary for BECs formation. They can also link up with other formation. They can also link up with other diocesan commissions to help form the diocesan commissions to help form the BECs in the parishes.BECs in the parishes.
External Pastoral Agents can also help form External Pastoral Agents can also help form the PFT and provide technical support. They the PFT and provide technical support. They can help the PFT carry out its function of can help the PFT carry out its function of evangelizing, organizing and mobilizing the evangelizing, organizing and mobilizing the BECs. Since they are transitory by nature, BECs. Since they are transitory by nature, the external agents should ensure that the the external agents should ensure that the PFT become self-sustaining.PFT become self-sustaining.
Strategic/Pastoral Strategic/Pastoral PlanningPlanning
The parish priest together with the parish The parish priest together with the parish formation team and other lay leaders should formation team and other lay leaders should undertake strategic/ pastoral planning. undertake strategic/ pastoral planning.
The strategic plan should be based on the The strategic plan should be based on the results of the environmental analysis and the results of the environmental analysis and the vision-mission of the parish, the thrust of the vision-mission of the parish, the thrust of the diocese. diocese.
The PCP II vision of a Renewed Church and The PCP II vision of a Renewed Church and the BECs can be adopted by the parish.the BECs can be adopted by the parish.
The goals and objectives can be set, the means The goals and objectives can be set, the means can be determined, and initial programming can be determined, and initial programming be done.be done.
The team will have to decide what is the The team will have to decide what is the most viable approach:most viable approach:
Pilot areas? Pilot areas? Selecting two to four Selecting two to four communities for experimentation. communities for experimentation. Develop these communities as model Develop these communities as model BECs. Replication can be done BECs. Replication can be done afterwards.afterwards.
Simultaneous? Simultaneous? All the communities are All the communities are developed at the same time. Top to developed at the same time. Top to bottom approach. Selecting leaders bottom approach. Selecting leaders from each community, orient & train from each community, orient & train them, send them back to their them, send them back to their communities for organizing.communities for organizing.
A framework for developing BECsA framework for developing BECs
Formation of theLocal Church/
Christian Community(organizing)
Human Promotion &
Development(mobilizing)
Proclamation/Witness
(evangelizing)
Essential Components in BEC Essential Components in BEC buildingbuilding
Evangelizing (Proclamation)Evangelizing (Proclamation) Organizing (Forming the Christian Organizing (Forming the Christian
community)community) Mobilizing for Social Transformation Mobilizing for Social Transformation
(Human Promotion and Development)(Human Promotion and Development)
- how and when they are carried out will how and when they are carried out will vary depending on the situation, and vary depending on the situation, and the strategies and approach chosen.the strategies and approach chosen.
EvangelizingEvangelizing
ProclamationProclamation
The Importance of The Importance of EvangelizationEvangelization
Evangelization is an essential stage Evangelization is an essential stage in building BECs. It precedes the in building BECs. It precedes the organizing stage.organizing stage.
Evangelization as the proclamation Evangelization as the proclamation of the Christian message aimed at of the Christian message aimed at personal conversionpersonal conversion
The growth of BECs is the fruit of The growth of BECs is the fruit of evangelizationevangelization
Expected outcomeExpected outcome Accepting Christ as center of their life Accepting Christ as center of their life
and deepening their relationship with and deepening their relationship with him him
Personal conversion (concretely Personal conversion (concretely expressed in going to confession)expressed in going to confession)
Commitment to live out their Commitment to live out their discipleship in community. discipleship in community.
Own and internalize the vision of new Own and internalize the vision of new way of being Church – the BEC.way of being Church – the BEC.
Developing a missionary dynamismDeveloping a missionary dynamism
Means of EvangelizingMeans of Evangelizing
Family-evangelization (Family-evangelization (Visita FamiliaVisita Familia)) Bible-reflection sessions for Bible-reflection sessions for
neighborhood or family groupings neighborhood or family groupings Evangelization seminars for the whole Evangelization seminars for the whole
community [basic orientation seminars, community [basic orientation seminars, Festival of FaithFestival of Faith]]
Men’s Fellowship, Youth FellowshipMen’s Fellowship, Youth Fellowship The liturgy (Eucharist) & popular The liturgy (Eucharist) & popular
devotions (novena) as means of devotions (novena) as means of evangelizing.evangelizing.
Content of Content of EvangelizingEvangelizing
Since this is just the initial stage of Since this is just the initial stage of proclamation, it is not necessary to cover proclamation, it is not necessary to cover all the topics. Just focus on the essential all the topics. Just focus on the essential message that can make an impact. Sample message that can make an impact. Sample content based on PCP II:content based on PCP II:- Jesus Christ (Prophetic-Priestly-Kingly - Jesus Christ (Prophetic-Priestly-Kingly Messiah, Lord, Savior)Messiah, Lord, Savior)- Conversion & Discipleship- Conversion & Discipleship- Discipleship in Community: the Church & - Discipleship in Community: the Church & BECsBECs
This is also the time for BEC orientationThis is also the time for BEC orientation
Organizing BECsOrganizing BECs
Building up the Christian Building up the Christian CommunityCommunity
Organizing BECsOrganizing BECs
Goal: to develop Goal: to develop sustainable sustainable structures, activities, ministries and structures, activities, ministries and cultureculture that will facilitate the growth that will facilitate the growth of BECs as Community of Disciples of BECs as Community of Disciples
This means concretizing what it meansThis means concretizing what it means To live in To live in communioncommunion To be a To be a prophetic, priestlyprophetic, priestly and and servantservant
communitiescommunities To be a Church of the PoorTo be a Church of the Poor
Developing the BEC cultureDeveloping the BEC cultureBEC becomes a way of life, with established BEC becomes a way of life, with established
patterns of relationship, behavior and patterns of relationship, behavior and attitude among the members:attitude among the members:
CommunionCommunion: sense of belonging, closeness, : sense of belonging, closeness, friendship, sharingfriendship, sharing
ParticipationParticipation: a spirit of active : a spirit of active participation in the community activities participation in the community activities (worship, listening to proclaiming the (worship, listening to proclaiming the word of God, social action/service), in word of God, social action/service), in decision-making and implementation of decision-making and implementation of plansplans
Missionary DynamismMissionary Dynamism: reaching out to : reaching out to othersothers
Forming a Core Forming a Core Group/NucleusGroup/Nucleus
The task of organizing BECs is not only The task of organizing BECs is not only the work of the PFTthe work of the PFT
It needs the active participation of a It needs the active participation of a core group within a communitycore group within a community
This core group is composed of This core group is composed of committed people and potential leaders committed people and potential leaders that have emerged during the that have emerged during the evangelization stage.evangelization stage.
We follow Jesus’ method who called an We follow Jesus’ method who called an initial core group of disciples and initial core group of disciples and apostles whom he trainedapostles whom he trained
Function of the Core Function of the Core Group/NucleusGroup/Nucleus
The Core Group is like leaven, light & The Core Group is like leaven, light & salt in the midst of the communitysalt in the midst of the community
Filled with missionary dynamism they Filled with missionary dynamism they continue the process of evangelizationcontinue the process of evangelization
They expand the BEC, set up They expand the BEC, set up structures & activities that enable the structures & activities that enable the BEC to growBEC to grow
The leaders of the BECs will come The leaders of the BECs will come from among themfrom among them
Core Group/Nucleus
Core Group
Cell
CellCell
CellCell
Deepening the Bond of Deepening the Bond of CommunionCommunion
There has to be a regular face-to-face There has to be a regular face-to-face encounter, interaction and communication encounter, interaction and communication in order for the members to know one in order for the members to know one another, deepen their relationship and another, deepen their relationship and develop a sense of belonging.develop a sense of belonging.
This means coming together to share their This means coming together to share their experiences, work, play, pray and experiences, work, play, pray and celebrate. All these are necessary to celebrate. All these are necessary to deepen their bond.deepen their bond.
Friendship and mutual support is an Friendship and mutual support is an expression of communion.expression of communion.
Table-fellowship expresses and deepens Table-fellowship expresses and deepens their communion.their communion.
Sustainable Sustainable Activities/Structures Activities/Structures
Prophetic CommunitiesProphetic Communities: bible-sharing, : bible-sharing, visita-familia, men’s fellowship, ongoing visita-familia, men’s fellowship, ongoing catechesis, occasional seminars catechesis, occasional seminars (Education Committee)(Education Committee)
Priestly CommunitiesPriestly Communities: Celebration of the : Celebration of the Word (bible-service), Regular mass Word (bible-service), Regular mass (monthly or bi-monthly), Seasonal (monthly or bi-monthly), Seasonal liturgies, mass-sponsoring, etc. liturgies, mass-sponsoring, etc. (Worship/Liturgy committee).(Worship/Liturgy committee).
Servant CommunitiesServant Communities: Regular meeting & : Regular meeting & assembly to discuss problems, action assembly to discuss problems, action planning & evaluation (Social planning & evaluation (Social Action/Service Committee)Action/Service Committee)
Emergence & Training of Emergence & Training of LeadersLeaders
During the organizing stage, the potential During the organizing stage, the potential leaders that emerged or spotted will be leaders that emerged or spotted will be tested, trained and formalizedtested, trained and formalized
During the early stage of organizing an During the early stage of organizing an informal/adhoc leadership is more informal/adhoc leadership is more desirable to allow the emergence, testing desirable to allow the emergence, testing and training of new breed of leaders.and training of new breed of leaders.
The formal election of leaders take place The formal election of leaders take place later after the BECs have become mature. later after the BECs have become mature.
Emergence & Training of Emergence & Training of LeadersLeaders
Leadership Training seminars should Leadership Training seminars should be conductedbe conducted
Emphasize servant leadershipEmphasize servant leadership Participative/Collegial Leadership – Participative/Collegial Leadership –
Council of Leaders, teamwork, regular Council of Leaders, teamwork, regular meeting (planning, evaluation)meeting (planning, evaluation)
Structure of Developed BECStructure of Developed BEC(with cells)(with cells)
Council of Leaders
Education Service TemporalitiesWorship
Cell Cell Cell CellCell
Youth
Inter-connecting BECs and Inter-connecting BECs and creation of new parish creation of new parish
structuresstructures The BECs within the parish will have to be The BECs within the parish will have to be
interconnected (zones, districts)interconnected (zones, districts) Meetings and assemblies attended by BEC Meetings and assemblies attended by BEC
leaders can be organizedleaders can be organized Parish-level committees should be formed Parish-level committees should be formed
(WESTY)(WESTY) The PPC should be formed and the BECs The PPC should be formed and the BECs
should be represented.should be represented. A parish assembly should be held regularlyA parish assembly should be held regularly A gathering of BECs should be organized A gathering of BECs should be organized
(fiesta, Easter celebration)(fiesta, Easter celebration)
Sample: Parish Organizational Sample: Parish Organizational StructureStructure
PP, pv
Parish Pastoral Council
Parish Office Staff
Parish PastoralWorkers
Educationcatechetics
Worshipliturgy
ServiceSocial Action
TemporalitiesFinance
Youth
BEC Zone BEC Zone BEC Zone BEC Zone BEC Zone
bec bec bec bec bec bec bec bec becbecbecbec becbecbecbec becbecbecbec
PCL(LOMAS)
Mobilizing BECs for Mobilizing BECs for Social Social
TransformationTransformation(Human Promotion and (Human Promotion and
Development)Development)
The Evangelization and Organization of The Evangelization and Organization of BECs should ultimately lead to BECs should ultimately lead to mobilization for social transformationmobilization for social transformation
The BECs are instruments for renewing The BECs are instruments for renewing the Church and transforming societythe Church and transforming society
BECs should not be inward looking BECs should not be inward looking communities but have social communities but have social responsibility.responsibility.
Mobilizing BECs for social transformation Mobilizing BECs for social transformation is part of the mission of BECs as is part of the mission of BECs as prophetic and servant communities. prophetic and servant communities.
BECs are called to participate in the BECs are called to participate in the struggle for development, justice, peace struggle for development, justice, peace and the integrity of creationand the integrity of creation
Socio-EconomicSocio-Economic BECs may be mobilized to engage in socio-BECs may be mobilized to engage in socio-
economic projects that can transform the socio-economic projects that can transform the socio-economic terrain. (IGP, coops, livelihood economic terrain. (IGP, coops, livelihood projects)projects)
This should be done only after evangelization This should be done only after evangelization and organizing phaseand organizing phase
Participatory research & planningParticipatory research & planning Linking up with parish/diocesan social action Linking up with parish/diocesan social action
programprogram Networking with NGOsNetworking with NGOs The need for close monitoring and system of The need for close monitoring and system of
check and balancecheck and balance
PoliticalPolitical BECs can be mobilized to empower people to BECs can be mobilized to empower people to
participate in the decision making process participate in the decision making process During elections, BECs can become part of the During elections, BECs can become part of the
local network of PPCRV or NAMFRELlocal network of PPCRV or NAMFREL BECs can become fiscalizers in the LGU (IRA BECs can become fiscalizers in the LGU (IRA
watch)watch) When it is necessary, BECs may be mobilized to When it is necessary, BECs may be mobilized to
protests against government policies that are protests against government policies that are contrary to common goodcontrary to common good
BECs can be part of the peace constituency – BECs can be part of the peace constituency – advocating for peace & building zones for peaceadvocating for peace & building zones for peace
BECs can monitor human rights violationsBECs can monitor human rights violations
EcologyEcology BECs may be mobilized to protect the BECs may be mobilized to protect the
environment and maintain ecological environment and maintain ecological balance balance
This may mean struggling against This may mean struggling against companies that destroy the companies that destroy the environment (logging, mining, environment (logging, mining, pollution, etc)pollution, etc)
Parish/BEC social action Parish/BEC social action structuresstructures There should be a parish social action There should be a parish social action
center or committee (PSAC) that initiates center or committee (PSAC) that initiates and supports social action projects in the and supports social action projects in the BECs.BECs.
There should also be a service/social There should also be a service/social action committee in each BEC (BSAC) that action committee in each BEC (BSAC) that oversees the social action projects of the oversees the social action projects of the community.community.
These committees should be staffed with These committees should be staffed with committed and competent people who committed and competent people who have undergone training/formation have undergone training/formation required for the social action apostolate.required for the social action apostolate.
Active participation of BEC Active participation of BEC membersmembers
Social action programs/projects require the Social action programs/projects require the active participation of the membersactive participation of the members
They should actively take part in the process They should actively take part in the process of of
Analyzing their situation, problems and Analyzing their situation, problems and resourcesresources
Determining what projects/programs to Determining what projects/programs to undertake as response to their problems undertake as response to their problems
(every program should be a response to felt (every program should be a response to felt needs and issues of the community)needs and issues of the community)
Planning, implementation and evaluationPlanning, implementation and evaluation
Capability/Skills BuildingCapability/Skills BuildingThe members of the social action committees The members of the social action committees
at the parish and BEC level, as well as the at the parish and BEC level, as well as the leaders and member of BECs need to learn leaders and member of BECs need to learn the following: the following:
Environmental (SWOT) AnalysisEnvironmental (SWOT) Analysis Planning (strategic/operational), Planning (strategic/operational),
implementing, monitoring, evaluationimplementing, monitoring, evaluation Resource identification and mobilizationResource identification and mobilization Management, Entrepreneurship, marketingManagement, Entrepreneurship, marketing Skills training (livelihood, handicrafts, Skills training (livelihood, handicrafts,
sustainable agriculture, etc.)sustainable agriculture, etc.)
Encouragement and Encouragement and Support of Bishops and Support of Bishops and
ClergyClergy The BEC-based social action program should be The BEC-based social action program should be
owned by the diocese and the parish.owned by the diocese and the parish. They should be initiated and supported by the They should be initiated and supported by the
bishops and the parish priests.bishops and the parish priests. This should be reflected in the strategic/pastoral This should be reflected in the strategic/pastoral
plan of the diocese and the parish.plan of the diocese and the parish. This should also be reflected in diocesan/parish This should also be reflected in diocesan/parish
budget.budget. Bishops & parish priests should monitor the Bishops & parish priests should monitor the
development of the BEC-based social action development of the BEC-based social action programprogram
Sample Approaches in Sample Approaches in
Forming/Revitalizing Forming/Revitalizing BECsBECs
Piloting ApproachPiloting Approach
1.1. Preparatory PhasePreparatory Phasea.a. Recruitment/Formation of PFTRecruitment/Formation of PFTb.b. Data-gatheringData-gatheringc.c. Strategic Pastoral PlanningStrategic Pastoral Planning
2.2. Piloting Phase (3-5 communities)Piloting Phase (3-5 communities)
a. Evangelizinga. Evangelizing
b. Organizingb. Organizing
Forming Core group/leadersForming Core group/leaders
Developing BEC culture and Developing BEC culture and StructuresStructures
c. Transforming local situation (economic, c. Transforming local situation (economic, political, etc.)political, etc.)
(the pilot areas become model BECs or (the pilot areas become model BECs or showcases, which can be used as showcases, which can be used as exposure areas exposure areas –– ““come and see, go and come and see, go and followfollow”” program) program)
3.3. Expansion/ Replication Phase Expansion/ Replication Phase (evangelizing, organizing, transforming)(evangelizing, organizing, transforming)
4.4. Creating/Reforming Parish StructuresCreating/Reforming Parish Structures (zones, parish commissions (zones, parish commissions –– WESTY, PPC) WESTY, PPC)
5.5. Ongoing Mobilization for Social Ongoing Mobilization for Social Transformation - Parish, Regional Transformation - Parish, Regional Level.Level.
6.6. Missionary Outreach/ Helping other Missionary Outreach/ Helping other parishes build BECsparishes build BECs
(the parish can becomes a model BEC parish, (the parish can becomes a model BEC parish, which can be used as an exposure and which can be used as an exposure and training center)training center)
Saturation ApproachSaturation Approach1.1. Preparatory PhasePreparatory Phase
Recruitment and Formation of Parish Recruitment and Formation of Parish Formation Team/Core GroupFormation Team/Core GroupData gathering, Strategic Pastoral Data gathering, Strategic Pastoral PlanningPlanning
2.2. Evangelizing PhaseEvangelizing Phase (all local (all local communities)communities)
3.3. Organizing Phase Organizing Phase (all local communities) (all local communities)Core group/leadership formation Core group/leadership formation Introduce sustaining activities Introduce sustaining activities Expansion – clustering, family groupingsExpansion – clustering, family groupingsCreate structures – BEC, Zone, parish levelsCreate structures – BEC, Zone, parish levels
4.4. Mobilizing for Social Mobilizing for Social TransformationTransformation (Human (Human Promotion and Development)Promotion and Development)
5.5. Missionary OutreachMissionary Outreach
Summing upSumming up The building up/revitalizing of BECs should be The building up/revitalizing of BECs should be
the pastoral thrust of the diocese and every the pastoral thrust of the diocese and every parish.parish.
It is a gradual and on-going processIt is a gradual and on-going process It is the fruit of evangelization and conversion It is the fruit of evangelization and conversion
(not imposition and coercion)(not imposition and coercion) The structures, activities, ministries and The structures, activities, ministries and
culture that are developed are meant to culture that are developed are meant to concretize the PCP II vision of BECs concretize the PCP II vision of BECs (communion, priestly-prophetic-servant (communion, priestly-prophetic-servant community, church of the poor)community, church of the poor)
BECs are called to renew the Church and BECs are called to renew the Church and transform societytransform society
““We simply plant seeds that will one day We simply plant seeds that will one day grow. Nothing we do is complete. This grow. Nothing we do is complete. This enables us to do something and do it enables us to do something and do it well. We accomplish in our lifetime only well. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work. We may enterprise that is God’s work. We may never see the end results. We are never see the end results. We are workers, not master builders, servant workers, not master builders, servant leaders, not messiahs. We are prophets leaders, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own.” of a future not our own.”
Archbishop Oscar RomeroArchbishop Oscar Romero