CBF-SEA COORDINATOR VISITS THE PHILIPPINES

SR. EMMA GUNANTO VISITS THE PHILIPPINES TO PREPARE FOR THE 5th ASIA-OCEANIA BIBLE CONGRESS

MEMBERS OF THE CBF-SEA REJOICE IN WELCOMING BP. DAVID

Metro Manila. Sixteen full and associate members of the CBF-SEA met last Saturday, January 9, 2010 at the SVD Mission House, Christ the King Mission Seminary in Quezon City to welcome the new Bishop Chairman of the Episcopal Commission for the Biblical Apostolate Most Rev. Pablo Virgilio “Ambo”  S. David, DD and to do the groundwork for the 5th Asia-Oceania Bible Congress (and the 6th SEA Workshop)  scheduled this coming September 19 to 25, 2010 in Thailand.

Sr. Emma Gunanto the CBF-SEA sub-region coordinator facilitated the meeting with Ms. Cecilia Chui the sub-region coordinator of Northeast Asia and assisted by the Finance Officer of the CBF-SEA Ms. Estrella del Mar of the Cebu Lay Formation Center who prepared the schedule, mechanics and the venue for this meeting. The special presence of Tammy Saberon of Myanmar augmented the significance of this very important meeting.

Rev. Fr. Dante Venus, SVD the Superior Delegatus generously offered everything that everybody needs to the satisfaction and comfort of each one: GRATIS!

THE MEETING OF THE 16 WITH THE TOWERING BISHOP DAVID

CBF-SEA WELCOMES BISHOP PABLO DAVID

THE CBF-SEA WELCOMES HEARTILY BISHOP PABLO “AMBO” DAVID AS NEW ECBA-CBCP CHAIRMAN

The CBF-South East Asia rejoices in welcoming the new Chairman of the Episcopal Commission for the Biblical Apostolate of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Most Rev. Pablo Virgilio S. David, D.D. the auxiliary bishop of San Fernando, Pampanga. He succeeded the Most Rev. Arturo M. Bastes, D.D. the Bishop of Sorsogon.

Thank you Bp. Bastes, for your untiring service as ECBA’s chairman for many years. Thank you for generously sharing with us your many talents and gifts. Very special thanks for welcoming us at the 17th National Workshop in Cagayan de Oro City. We keep walking together in the light of the Word.

Dear Bishop Ambo, congratulations and welcome! We pray that the Word you are committed to may always be a source of strength and joy for you.

CBF-SEA.

Emma, Star, Doms.

CBF-SEA GREETS EVERYONE A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

A BLISSFUL NEW YEAR 2010 TO CBF-SEA

A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

Our Dear Sisters & Brothers in CBF – Southeast Asia,

Greetings of Peace!

“And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” This is the beginning, the meaning and the reason why we have Christmas and why we celebrate Christmas. God in all His goodness and love realized His dream and promise to save us from “the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief”. He saved us from all our misgivings, our weaknesses and divisiveness. This is the season of giving, forgiving and re-uniting. It is the time to be together as one “CBF-Southeast Asian Family” celebrating the joy and happiness that this season brings.

MERRY CHRISTMAS CBF-SEA

As members of this  sub-region, we wish and we dream that our “Christmas be White”, that “Silver Bells” will be ringing joyfully in our homes, that the Prince of Peace will reign in the hearts of everyone especially during “Silent Nights”. We have that “Whispering Hope” for “Santa Clause to come to Town” led by “Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer”. This will happen only when we “Give Love on Christmas Day”. Giving love on Christmas and always is to be “Witness to the Word”! Yes, Christmas is the time of giving, we are called together to give, we are born to give. You are “the Gift”!

Christmas will never be meaningful, memorable and fruitful without the spirit of giving. Indeed, we are happy when we receive something beautiful on Christmas but we are happier still if we give something more beautiful to our less fortunate brothers and sisters. There are those who will experience “Blue Christmas” without you… because they can’t expect to receive a gift during this season, but there are those who will be bluer still because they have nothing to give. Yes, how sad it is when we have nothing to give at all because of pride and greediness – the saddest state of a joyful time. As God gave His only begotten Son to us, let us give each other what God has given. It was the Divine Word who said: “the gifts that you have received, give as a gift”. If we do this, then it is “Christmas in our Hearts”… together we can sing with the Angels… “Glory to the New Born King”… “Peace on Earth and to all Members of CBF-SEA of Good Will!

Though it has been said many times, many ways: We wish you all Merry Christmas and a Blissful New Year!

In the Written Word,

Sr. Emma Gunanto     (Sub-regional Coordinator)

Ms. Star del Mar          (Treasurer – Finance Officer)

Fr. Doms Ramos         (Web Master)

BIBLIODRAMA INDONESIA

BIBLICAL PUPPETS PRODUCTION

BANDUNG, INDONESIA. BIBLIODRAMA formation started in Indonesia in the summer city of Bandung in the island of Java in 2006. It was organized by Sr. Emma Gunanto, an Ursuline Sister who is involved in the Biblical Apostolate for many years. As the Subregional Coordinator for Southeast Asia she organizes ongoing biblical pastoral formation for workers and partners in the Biblical Apostolate in the worldwide Catholic Biblical Federation (CBF). Sr. Emma was responsible in bringing the Bibliodrama Experience to the Philippines and to the rest of Asia and the Pacific in 1998 when she organized together with the Episcopal Commission for the Biblical Apostolate (ECBA) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) chaired by Bp. Crisostomo Yalung, DD. For the past eleven years of Bibliodrama experience, the Biblical Apostolate in Southeast Asia has been strengthened in its biblical pastoral formation.

SELF IDENTIFICATION

BIBLIODRAMA INDONESIA was finally born last week after twenty five (25) participants graduated in the first ADVANCE BIBLIODRAMA FACILITATORS’ WORKSHOP at the Provincialate House of the Ursulines in Bandung city. Those who took the Advance Course were the graduates of Bibliodrama Workshop in 2006 and participated in the Basic Bibliodrama Facilitators workshop in 2007. After having completed the Advance Bibliodrama Facilitators’ Course last November 9-14, the graduates can now facilitate a Bibliodrama Workshop. At last a team is born as BIBLIODRAMA INDONESIA. The team can now begin to make plans for their ongoing formation and for promoting Bibliodrama in Bahasa Indonesia.

DANCE OF THE SPRING

The twenty five participants came from parishes, schools and communities from the Java Island. It was a good mix of three (3) laymen, nine (9) laywomen, twelve (12) Ursuline Sisters and one (1) Holy Cross religious priest. The challenge for the team now is to put together their efforts on how to spread the Bibliodrama experience in the local churches.

After the Advance Facilitators’ Workshop, Sr. Emma and I proceeded with another Bibliodrama Workshop (Nov.15-18) for a bigger group coming from different parishes, schools and communities. There were thirty two of them comprising of twelve (12) men (2 seminarians), eleven (11) ladies and nine (9) Ursuline Sisters. The group was a good combination of how committed women and men can team up with religious women and vice versa. The participants graduated as a new community of potential members of Bibliodrama Indonesia. ECBA is happily sharing its services to the Asian churches as partners in the vast responsibility of animating Biblical Pastoral Ministry. We thank you for your prayers and support.

Reported by: Fr. Oscar Alunday, SVD

THE FULL DRAMA PART

A SOUVENIR PICTURE OF THE WHOLE GROUP

Pictures provided by: Sr. Emma Gunanto, OSU

NEW SVD GENERALATE BA COORDINATOR

FR. LUKAS JUA, SVD

The Catholic Biblical Federation of Southeast Asia congratulates our former colleague Rev. Fr. Lukas Jua, SVD who is now the new SVD Generalate Biblical Coordinator based in Rome, Italy.

In his first letter to the Zonal Area and Provincial BA Coordinators all over the world dated October 28, 2009, Fr. Lukas informed us that he received his new assignment to commence on August 4, 2009 and was able to report only into office on the last week of September.

He is still adjusting to his new post as expected and is trying his best to continue the mission that Rev. Fr. Guido Tisera, SVD passed unto him. The CBF-SEA then assures Fr. Lukas of our support and prayers as he leads/coordinates the whole congregation in doing biblical apostolate not only in Southeast Asia this time but in all SVD mission territories all over the earth as Witness to the Word!

cbfsea

DATELINE MYANMAR

MYANMAR EPISCOPAL COMISSION FOR BIBLICAL APOSTOLATE (ECBA)

NEWS UPDATE

We, the National and diocesan BPM Core Teams, would like to share with you our joy about the developments of our BPM here.

1. 1. 2009 BASIC BIBLE SEMINAR (BBS KIT) HAS BEEN TRANSLATED AND PRINTED IN BURMESE LANGUAGE THIS MAKES TWO LANGUAGES AS THE FIRST ONE WAS TRANSLATED IN JINGPHAW LANGUAGE IN 2002

The translation began in 2007 but it was only completed in 2009. The translation was made due to the demands of BBS in Burmese language. Since 2007, the Basic Bible Seminars were conducted in both English and Burmese since our coordinator Sr. Tammy is from the Philippines and she does not have the capability in conducting the sessions in the local language. Her Core Team members are all local whom she has developed and trained so they could conduct the sessions in Burmese. But in May 2009, the Core Team Formation Workshop (Training on how to conduct the BBS) was held in Burmese language for the first time. The National BBS Core Team conducted it themselves with Sr. Tammy’s supervision. When the participants were studying the Kit in Burmese language, Sr. Tammy felt like John the Baptist –“Thy must increase and I must decrease” it was a joy to see them empowered so that the Word of God may reach to all corners of Myanmar. Fr. Ludger wrote a message to the people of Myanmar printed in the BBS Burmese Kit.

2.  NATIONAL BASIC BIBLE SEMINAR (BBS) BATCH 2

September 14-18, 2009

There were 68 participants from 8 dioceses: 38 lay, 16 priests, 13 Religious Sisters and 1 Bishop. The number was lower than what was estimated before the seminar since many of the participants were not available when the day came.  Out of the eight dioceses, seven dioceses have not been reached by our Biblical Pastoral Formation Programs as seven out of 14 dioceses have their own BBS Diocesan Core Teams formed. The participants were so happy having attended the BBS and are looking forward to participate in the National Bible Facilitators’ Seminar (BFS) and Core Team Formation Workshop (CTFW) next year so that their diocese will have their own BBS Core Team.

3. Myanmar National BPM Assembly

September 20-23, 2009

Preparatory Meeting # 2 to hold the

2^nd National Biblical Apostolate Workshop in November 2010.

Each participating diocese of the National BBS batch 2 have chosen 2-3 participants for this meeting joined by the dioceses that have already BPM established in their dioceses. There were altogether 51 participants from 14 dioceses of Myanmar Church facilitated by our National BPM Coordinator: Sr. Tammy Saberon. The meeting was a success as all participants were very active in their participation and were very happy looking forward to the big event in the field of Biblical Pastoral Ministry in Myanmar Church.

Here is the result of the meeting:

Day 1 November 6, 2010 – Arrival of Participants from the different dioceses and special guests

Day 2 November 7, 2010 – Biblical Festival for Bible Awareness

1. Bible Quiz Competitions
2. Biblical Song Competitions
3. Biblical Drama Competitions
4. Biblical Booth Competitions

Day 3  November 8, 2010 – Conferences

Theme of the Workshop: God’s Word: Source of Reconciliation, Unity and Peace

Day 4, 5,6 November 9-11, 2010 – 2^nd National Biblical Apostolate Workshop With official delegates from each diocese

Day 7 November 12, 2010 – Departure

Materials for the Workshop:

1. In puts from the Conferences
2. Final Statement of the 7^th CBF Plenary Assembly – Tanzania June /July 2008
3. October 2008 Synod of Bishops (Rome) – Documents on the Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church

BIBLICAL PASTORAL TRAINING COURSE @ EAPI FROM JANUARY 4-APRIL 4, 2010

There will be eight participants from Myanmar for this course who are already active in BPM in the National and diocesan level. This course will help them to strengthen the existing BPM in our country.

ASIA OCEANIA BIBLICAL APOSTOLATE WORKSHOP NEXT YEAR IN THAILAND

We are very happy to know that this workshop is not limited to one member one delegate but is open to those interested and can pay their way to Thailand. This opens the possibility of having a few delegates from Myanmar. This will be an opportunity to be more aware of the importance of the Word in the life of the Church which has been neglected for years by the Catholic Church.

Report By: Msgr Maurice Nyunt Wai

Pathein Diocese BPM Coordinator

National BPM Core Team member

ORATIO IMPERATA FOR DELIVERANCE FROM CALAMITIES

 Today our coordinator forwarded this letter of Tammy for publication while Fr. Nilo Gealan, SVD sent this “Oratio Imperata”

 

 Sr. Emma,

 I feel that we can unite and support each other as our countries are suffering from natural calamities, ours – Floods and yours – Earth Quake and how about Vietnam and Samoa as well as American Samoa. Mother earth is raging with anger and most of those who suffered are the poor people and who are the great destroyers of Mother Earth are the rich countries and rich people! There is no hope to save Mother Earth no matter what the world leaders say or do the damage is great and it cannot be repaired. We have all to pay the price.  But we still rely on our compassionate God that we may be spared from these disasters.

Let support each other in prayers.

Tammy

  

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Oratio Imperata

For Deliverance From Calamities

 

Almighty Father, we raise our hearts to You in gratitude for the wonders of creation

of which we are part, for Your Providence in sustaining our needs,

and for Your Wisdom that guides the course of the universe.

We acknowledge our sins against You and the rest of creation.

We have not been good stewards of Nature.

We have confused Your command to subdue the Earth.

The environment is made to suffer our wrongdoing,

and now we reap the harvest of our abuse and indifference.

Global warming is upon us, typhoons, floods, volcanic eruptions,

and other natural calamities occur in increasing numbers and intensity.

We turn to You, our loving Father, and beg forgiveness for our sins.

We ask that we, our loved ones and our hard earned possessions

be spared from the threat of calamities, natural and man-made.

We beseech You to inspire us all to grow into responsible stewards of Your creation,

and generous neighbors to those in need.

Amen.