REPORT OF THE SVD-PHC BIBLICAL APOSTOLATE
I. Internal situation
Character : Biblical Center run by the SVD
Contact Person : Fr. Renato L. Malbog, SVD
E-mail : /phcsvdba@yahoo.com
Personnel : Carmela Estacio and Jenaro Molina
Fax : 00632-31-77-27
Postal address : Characteristic Dimension Office
Secretariat for Biblical Apostolate
(Divine Word Biblical Center)
1916 Oroquieta St., Sta. Cruz, Manila
II. Programs and Activites
A. Within SVD
1) For SVD Priests (2006-2007)
Every Thursday evening, confreres from Christ the King Community gather together for a bible sharing. Using different methods (3 RSS, Lectio Divina, Lumko Method) the materials are provided by the Biblical Center.
2). Bible Exhibit (August 2007)
Through the bible exhibit the bible is presented in a more ingenious and close to life way. The theme revolved around: “Our Story of Salvation: A Bible Exhibit”. The main concern is to promote the Word of God and at the same time to sustain the awareness of the people in reading and appropriating the message of the Bible in their own lives.
By using the story of salvation from Genesis until Revelation, the displays hope to reflect the various aspects of transformation that is happening in people’s lives. At the same time nurturing the gifts of the community/group involved.
3) Publication and Distribution of SVD Centennial Bible (2009-2010)
As a contribution to the SVD’s celebration of its one hundred years in the Philippines, the Dimension Secretariat through the initiative of the Divine Word Biblical Center published and distributed the SVD Centennial Bible. An integral part of the Encountering the Word Apostolate dedicated to providing SVD parishes and schools with the best possible services and resources, specifically in understanding and appreciating the Word of God.
4) Dinner for a cause for the Mission (September 2009)
To support the programs and activities of the SVD Dimension Secretariat a Dinner for a Cause was organized last September 11, 2009. The activity generated an amount that can be
As part of the Centennial Celebration of the SVD here in the Philippines, the Characteristic Dimension organized the Dinner for a Cause to generate funds for purchasing AV & electronic equipment in order to serve more and dialogue more effectively with the communities it serves.
B. Outside SVD
1) Children’s Pre-Liturgical Catechism (2006-2008)
Every Sunday, children ages 7 to 14 years old come to the Biblical Center for their weekly catechism. Before the 4:00 pm children’s mass, the children are given lessons on the basic tenets of Christian faith.
2) Children’s Mass Lectors and Collectors (2006-2008)
After the first phase of the CPLC, children ages 8-10 years old were trained as collectors and the 14 years old were trained as lectors for the 4:00 pm children’s mass.
3) Basic Ecclessial Communities (April-May 2009)
In coordination with the Secretariat for the Justice and Peace, Integrity of Creation (JPIC), the Center conducted two (2) BEC Orientation Seminar for the parishes of St. Joseph the Worker in Balut, Tondo and Immaculate Conception in Tayuman, Manila.
III. On-Going Projects (2011 – onwards)
1.) Basic Bible Seminar (BBS) by request – (1988 – onwards)
Bible Encounter Seminar and Training (BEST) – by request
(2003 –onwards)
The BBS and BEST are initial process of formation designed for the spiritual nourishment of individuals and communities who hunger and thirst for the Word of God. It provides the participants basic knowledge and understanding of the Word of God. BBS and BEST are given to requesting parishes and communities .
The BBS and BEST are given by request from parishes and communities.
2.) National Bible Week
The National Bible Week is celebrated annually in January through different activities like the motorcade, the living bible rosary, daily scripture reading and prayer, bible quiz and song interpretation and a special way of honoring the bible in every mass.
3.) For SVD Seminarians
On June 2005 the Biblical Pastoral Program for SVD Seminarians (Philosophy and Theology) was institutionalized as a supplement to the formal academic classes on the Scriptures being conducted by professors in Philosophy and Theology. The first recipient of the program were the Theology I to III classes.
4.) For SVD Youth
In 2002, the Divine Word Biblical Center introduced the Youth Bible Camp. Every summer, youths from SVD parishes within the jurisdiction of the SVD Central Province come together to be nourished by the Word of God, to build youth fellowship among the youth leaders and set-up a networking of youth biblical coordinators in the SVD Philippine Central Province. Since its launching, a total of 8 camps were already held.
5.) Operation Ondoy and Pepeng
The Philippine Central Province through the Characteristic Dimension Office organized a relief operation for flood victims of typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng. The months of October until December 2009, the CD office concentrated on accepting donations and distributing them to areas badly affected by the typhoons. SVD’s as well as non-SVD’s all over the world responded quite positively to this call. Until now, year 2011 the office accepts request for financial help for calamity hit communities, and parishes that need especial assistance.
The employees of the Provincialate Community also gave their time and effort in helping repacked the goods for distribution.
6) Distribuiton of Daily Reading Guide to SVD parishes, Schools and non SVD parishes and communities
IV. Problems and Limitations
a. Lack of Facilities
As a resource center, the Divine Word Biblical Center should offer formation programs for lay ministers of the Word but due to the lack of adequate facilities, trainings are limited to a duration of one day.
1)Insufficient Budget
Subsidy from the Province and funds raised by the Center is not enough to cover the operational expenses and programs of the Center.
- There is a need for more lay workers and volunteers to assist local priest coordinators
- The DWBC needs a pool of facilitators/animators for training new and dedicated BA workers and research teams for drafting new programs and updating and revising modules.
- There is a need for more materials, updated references and books about the Bible
2) Geographical Factor
The parishes under the jurisdiction of the SVD Central province are located far from each other making coordination and communication difficult and expensive.
V. Plans for the coming years
- Expand the present Biblical Center in order to accommodate larger number of participants for the formation programs in a longer duration.
- Raise seed money intended to train staff and volunteers, for the implementation of new programs and modules, and acquisition of new books and materials for the library.
- Create teams of facilitators/animators and researchers.
- Strengthen the presence of local priest and lay coordinators and set up a strong and effective networking among them and the Center.
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Divine Word Missionaries
Philippine Central Province
Updated: June 8, 2011
