Building up Building up Basic Ecclesial Basic Ecclesial CommunitiesCommunities

A Strategic FrameworkA Strategic Framework

Fr. Amado L. Picardal, CSsR, STDFr. Amado L. Picardal, CSsR, STD

Pre-Requisites for Pre-Requisites for Building up Basic Building up Basic

Ecclesial CommunitiesEcclesial Communities

1. 1. Building BECs as Building BECs as Pastoral Program of the Pastoral Program of the Parish & DioceseParish & Diocese

Since the BECs is a new way of being Since the BECs is a new way of being Church, its formation must eventually be Church, its formation must eventually be adopted by the diocese and parish as a adopted by the diocese and parish as a pastoral program. pastoral program.

The diocese, through a Diocesan Pastoral The diocese, through a Diocesan Pastoral Assembly or Synod must officially endorse Assembly or Synod must officially endorse the building of BECs as a pastoral priority. the building of BECs as a pastoral priority.

The parish, through a Parish Assembly, must The parish, through a Parish Assembly, must also adopt the BECs as a parish programalso adopt the BECs as a parish program

Why is it Necessary to be a Why is it Necessary to be a Pastoral Program of the Pastoral Program of the

Diocese and Parish?Diocese and Parish? To emphasize that it is the project of the To emphasize that it is the project of the

local Church and not the external local Church and not the external agents/organizers.agents/organizers.

To ensure stability and continuity of BECs To ensure stability and continuity of BECs that are formed.that are formed.

To get the support of the pastors (Bishops To get the support of the pastors (Bishops and priests) and the lay leadersand priests) and the lay leaders

To facilitate the acceptance of the lay To facilitate the acceptance of the lay people, especially those who are resistant to people, especially those who are resistant to change.change.

2. The BEC Formation 2. The BEC Formation Team Team

A A Parish Formation TeamParish Formation Team (PFT) is necessary (PFT) is necessary to build up the BECs in the parish.to build up the BECs in the parish.

This team must be formed, supported and This team must be formed, supported and coordinated by the parish priest. The coordinated by the parish priest. The composition of the team: lay pastoral workers composition of the team: lay pastoral workers (full-time & part-time), religious sisters, etc.(full-time & part-time), religious sisters, etc.

There should be a regular meeting of the PFT There should be a regular meeting of the PFT for planning, reporting, evaluation and for planning, reporting, evaluation and ongoing staff development. These meeting ongoing staff development. These meeting should be attended by the parish priest.should be attended by the parish priest.

Role of the Parish Role of the Parish Formation TeamFormation Team

Implement the parish pastoral program and Implement the parish pastoral program and help develop a parish pastoral planhelp develop a parish pastoral 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 Formation Team may be The Diocesan Formation Team may be formed to support the formation of the formed to support the formation of the Parish formation team. Their function is not Parish formation team. Their function is not organizing but training and providing organizing but training and providing material necessary for BECs formationmaterial necessary for BECs formation

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.

3. Environmental 3. Environmental Analysis Analysis

To build BECs, the PFT must know the place To build BECs, the PFT must know the place and the people. This means knowing the local and the people. This means knowing the local geography, history, political terrain, culture geography, history, political terrain, culture and religious situation.and religious situation.

The context will influence the kind of BECs The context will influence the kind of BECs that will be formed, the appropriate strategy that will be formed, the appropriate strategy or approaches that will be used in building or approaches that will be used in building them, the context or message of them, the context or message of evangelization, etc. evangelization, etc.

There are many ways of data-gathering: There are many ways of data-gathering: survey, interviews, observation, participatory survey, interviews, observation, participatory research, focus group discussion. research, focus group discussion.

Strategic PlanningStrategic Planning 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 pastoral strategic planning. undertake pastoral strategic planning.

The strategic plan should be based on the results The strategic plan should be based on the results of the environmental analysis and the vision-of the environmental analysis and the vision-

mission of the parish, the thrust of the diocesemission of the parish, the thrust of the diocese. . The PCP II vision of a Renewed Church and the The PCP II vision of a Renewed Church and the

BECs can be adopted by the parish.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 be can be determined, and initial programming be done.done.

Approaches in building Approaches in building up BECsup BECs

Diocesan LevelDiocesan Level Simultaneous (all parishes at the same Simultaneous (all parishes at the same

time)time) Piloting (select pilot/priority parishes, Piloting (select pilot/priority parishes,

replicate later)replicate later) Parish LevelParish Level

Simultaneous (all communities at the Simultaneous (all communities at the same time)same time)

Piloting (select pilot/priority Piloting (select pilot/priority communities, replicate later)communities, replicate later)

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.

Adopting a Strategic Adopting a Strategic FrameworkFramework

Evangelization of Evangelization of communitiescommunities

Organizing the communities Organizing the communities into BECsinto BECs

Mobilizing BECs for social Mobilizing BECs for social transformationtransformation

Renewed Renewed EvangelizationEvangelization

The potential leaders and members of the The potential leaders and members of the BECs are evangelized. Focus also on the BECs are evangelized. Focus also on the family. Reach out to nominal members, family. Reach out to nominal members, men, young people.men, young people.

Expected outcome: They deepen their Expected outcome: They deepen their relationship with Christ, experience relationship with Christ, experience conversion, make a commitment to live out conversion, make a commitment to live out their discipleship in community. They own their discipleship in community. They own and internalize the vision of new way of and internalize the vision of new way of being Church – the BEC.being Church – the BEC.

Means: Evangelization seminar, bible-Means: Evangelization seminar, bible-sharing, family evangelization (visita sharing, family evangelization (visita familia), men’s fellowship.familia), men’s fellowship.

Organizing BECsOrganizing BECs

Goal: to set up Goal: to set up sustainable sustainable structures, activities & ministriesstructures, activities & ministries that will facilitate the growth of that will facilitate the growth of BECs as Community of Disciples BECs as Community of Disciples

This means concretizing what it This means concretizing what it meansmeans

To live in To live in communioncommunion To be a To be a propheticprophetic, , priestlypriestly and and

servant communitiesservant communities To be a Church of the PoorTo be a Church of the Poor

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 committed people and potential leaders that have emerged during the leaders 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 & yeast in the midst of the communityyeast 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 structures They expand the BEC, set up structures & activities that enable the BEC to grow& activities that enable the BEC to grow

The leaders of the BECs will come from The leaders of the BECs will come from among themamong them

The Early Shape of the The Early Shape of the BECBEC

Core Group/Nucleus

Later Development of Later Development of BECBEC

Core Group

Cell

CellCell

CellCell

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, etc. (Worship/Liturgy liturgies, etc. (Worship/Liturgy committee).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 Leadership Training seminars should be conductedshould be conducted

Emphasize servant leadershipEmphasize servant leadership Participative/Collegial Leadership – Participative/Collegial Leadership –

Council of Leaders, teamwork, Council of Leaders, teamwork, regular meeting (planning, regular meeting (planning, evaluation)evaluation)

Term of Office (3 years, subject to Term of Office (3 years, subject to recall & reelection)recall & reelection)

Structure of Developed Structure of Developed BECBEC

Council of Leaders

Education ServiceTemporalitiesWorship

Cell Cell Cell CellCell

YouthFamily

Life

Parish Organizational Parish Organizational StructureStructure

PP

Parish Pastoral Council

Parish Office Staff

Parish FormationTeam

EducationWorshipService/

Social ActionTemporalities

(Finance)Youth

BEC Zone BEC Zone BEC Zone BEC Zone LOMAs

FamilyLife

Mobilizing BECs Mobilizing BECs for Social for Social

TransformationTransformation

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 has social responsibility.communities but has social 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, liberation, struggle for development, liberation, justice, peace and the integrity of justice, peace and the integrity of creationcreation

BECs as part of Civil BECs as part of Civil SocietySociety

The Civil Society paradigm is The Civil Society paradigm is appropriate for BECsappropriate for BECs

BECs as part of civil society BECs as part of civil society (including NGOs, Pos, etc) (including NGOs, Pos, etc) transforming society from below transforming society from below

Areas of engagement: Socio-Areas of engagement: Socio-economic, political, environment.economic, political, environment.

Socio-EconomicSocio-Economic BECs may be mobilized to engage in BECs may be mobilized to engage in

socio-economic projects that can socio-economic projects that can transform the socio-economic terrain. transform the socio-economic terrain. (IGP, coops, livelihood projects)(IGP, coops, livelihood projects)

Should be done only after Should be done only after evangelization and organizing phaseevangelization and organizing phase

Participatory research & planningParticipatory research & planning Linking up with parish/diocesan social Linking up with parish/diocesan social

action programaction program Networking with NGOsNetworking with NGOs The need for close monitoring and The need for close monitoring and

system of check and balancesystem of check and balance

PoliticalPolitical BECs can be mobilized to empower people to BECs can be mobilized to empower people to

participate in the decision making processparticipate 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 LGUBECs can become fiscalizers in the LGU BECs may be mobilized against government BECs may be mobilized against government

policies that are contrary to common goodpolicies that are contrary to common good BECs will be part of the peace constituency – BECs will 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)

(ex: San Fernando, Bukidnon)(ex: San Fernando, Bukidnon)

Concluding RemarksConcluding Remarks Building BECs is an ongoing process.Building BECs is an ongoing process. It is aimed at renewing the Church and It is aimed at renewing the Church and

transforming Philippine societytransforming Philippine society Like the kingdom of God, it is an Like the kingdom of God, it is an

“already-not-yet” reality. “already-not-yet” reality. The strategic framework is a road-map The strategic framework is a road-map

that can help us find our way towards that can help us find our way towards reaching our goalreaching our goal