July 22, 2010 Minutes of the meeting

Minutes of the meeting of the Diocesan Commission on the Family held at Sto. Cristo Parish on July 22, 2010 hosted by Vicariate of Holy Family:.

The meeting was attended by the vicariate coordinators:

Bro.Allen Reyes (1) Holy Family,
Bro. Willy & Aleth Hernandes Admin & Formation
Bro. Tony & Annie Sto. Cristo host parish
Bro. Mark Sto. Cristo host parish
Bro. Ordan Pinoy Sto. Cristo host parish
Bro. Gerry Mallillin (2) Our Lady of the Abandoned -North
Bro.Che Lastica (3) Our Lady of the Abandoned South
Bro.Rey & Sis.Mel Sangalang (5) San Antonio de Padua
Bro.Paeng & Sis.Nancy Barcelona (6) Sta. Rita de Cascia

Not represented
Al & Edna Hermoso (4) St. Joseph
Bro. Manny & Fely Manahan (3) St. Martin de Porres

Fr. Lambert began with the opening prayer ( Agenda I) to start with at 8:30 p.m.

Fr. Lambert introduced to the group the presence of his PCoF, Bro.Mark & Sis. Diding Carion, and Bro. Ordan Pinoy, a major seminarian having a pastoral exposure in his parish and is assigned to do clerical function.

At the onset of the meeting Bro. Che’ was requested to assist Bro. Allen & Sis. Duy Reyes in the secretarial task of the DCoF.

Agenda 2 Proceeded to the reading and revision of the previous minutes of the meeting. While reading Added to the previous minutes were the following:

Agenda 2:
A core group for the Diocesan Migrant Families was formed to assist, evaluate, experience and formulate programs based on the CFC Global Migrants Program. Appointed were: Bro.. Willy & Sis. Aleth Hernandes, Bro. Allen & Sis. Duy Reyes , Bro.Nes & Sis. Linda Sillvala, Bro.Gerry & Sis. Zeny Mallillin.

Announcement of Migrant Family Programs will be initiated in each parish of our Diocese on the 4th Thursday of June and 2nd Sunday of July. This will be accompanied with a Parish Survey for Migrant Families in order to identify their concern especially that of the Parish Migrant Family Facilitators who will also undergo a training program in their respective parishes.
Fr. Lambert made a go signal to Bro.Nes & Sis. Linda for the CFC Global Module to be implemented in the Last Supper Parish together with St. Joseph VCoF Bro.Al & Sis. Edna Hermoso.


On the subsequent absences of the representative from Vicariate of St. Joseph, a concern was raised having received no up date and reports nor having other members of the vicariate to attend on behalf of Bro. Al & Sis. Edna Hermoso. Fr. Lambert stressed and mentioned policies on the attendance of the vicariate representative. That in the absence of the coordinator, the deputy shall attend or any other member of the vicariate. Asked Bro. Che to formulate the policies. The vicariate coordinator are encouraged not to miss two successive meetings as the meeting is only once a month. The list of deputies are also required the body to be submitted.

With the ongoing considerations in our vicariates the following measures were arrived at:
1. To design a Parish Indicator involvement of CoF in the level of (1 - 10)
(1a) For each PCoF
(1b) On knowledge and understanding of the CoF task
(1c) Pastoral Orientation and priority
(1d) Heart for Family Concern (Priestly Heart)
2. Recall and reiterate VCOF duties and responsibilities
With the ongoing considerations in our vicariates the following measures were arrived at:
Below are the duties and responsibilities of the vicariate couple-coordinators, as approved by the body and the Fr. Aldo D'Andira, PPLM District Clergy Coordinator held in a meeting on April 7,2000:
1. Institutionalize and sustain a family life ministry in each parish
2. Subject to the favorable endorsement of their Parish Priest and subsequent acceptance of the Vicar Forane, serve a term of office for two years with one re-election for another term of two years.
3. Disseminate, coordinate and implement plans of action in accordance with the District Pastoral Plan
4. Network with other vicariates, parishes, transparochial groups, mandated organizations and agencies pertaining to Family Life activities to produce the desired results
5. Conduct regular bi-monthly vicariate meetings (during the first week of odd months) among Family Life Ministry heads of each parish
6. Evaluate the progress of parish/vicariate Family Life activities, compare notes with other parishes and agree on action plans
7. Attend the regular bi-monthly meetings (first Mondays of the even months) with the District Priest Coordinator, District Couple-Coordinator, and other vicariate couple-coordinators and report periodically to the Vicar Forane on the progress of pre-set plans.
8. Attend formation seminars sponsored by the district and cascade these to the parish level.
9. Couple power is a most for this ministry. (Assumption during the time of Rev. Fr. Arturo Morota.)
3. Propose a policy on the conduct of DCoF participation.
(3a) To regularly attend the monthly meetng.
(3b) DCoF and VCoF should have an alternate representative in case of failure to attend but should not be on two consecutive attendance.
(3c) Policy to be signed by Fr. Lambert.


Then Bro. Willy moved for the approval of the previous minutes of the meeting and seconded by Bro. Gerry and Fr. Lambert.

Matters arise during the reading, Fr. Lambert requested Bro. Gerry and Sis. Zeny to lead the migrant program due to their experience and take care of the program, also due to the coming migration of Bro. Willy & Sis. Aleth. Requested Bro. Gerry to express his acceptance. Bro. Gerry said that he has no objection but he is giving Sis. Zeny the decision on this to accept, since Sis. Zeny has to personally help to work on this as he is already occupied attending to many other things. Sis. Zeny has to be convinced to personally accept the assignment.

Agenda 3 Sex Education –Agenda 4-HB 13 - Alongside Fr. Lambert reported that he together with Rey and Mel attended the Assembly on the Sex Education last July 13, 2010 at St. Michael, Antipolo, Rizal.. Also reported that HB # 13 authored by Roilo Golez was ahead of the HB # 36 for the new RH bill filed by law makers.

Fr. Lambert mentioned that As per Bsp. Jesse Mercado’s urgent request to facilitate a Diocesan Diocesan Response on Sex Education, Information campaign to parents with school age children; a half day program will be conducted at St. Andrew Cathedral on August 7, 2010 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. with to be attended by all parents Maximum expected attendance per parish: Ten (10) couples inclusive of their CoF members.who have children, especially members of COF with kids in elementary and high school level. To bring along their individual “snack packs. (“food” during break).

Token shall be provided to speakers. Tables to provide for panelist. Sitting spots will be provided to each vicariate for distinction.


As per Bsp. Jesse Mercado’s urgent request to facilitate a Diocesan Information Campaign to parents with school age children; a half day program will be conducted at St. Andrew Cathedral on August 7, 2010 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Maximum expected attendance per parish: Ten (10) couples inclusive of their CoF members.
To bring along their individual “snack packs
Contents of Aug. 7, 2010 the Program
DIOCESE OF PARANAQUE
P r o g r a m m e
Symposium on Sex Education Modules Awareness For Parents with Children of school age and Commission on the Family Workers
:
Registration Secretariat
Welcome
Master of Ceremony : Fr. Lambert/Mr. & Mrs. Willie/Aleth Hernandes

Opening Remarks : Vicar Forane
Bishop. Jesse Mercado
Presentors:
Dra. Lucille A. Montes,-mother of 6 from Hillsboro. Doctor of medicine and psychology Presentation of DepEd Sex Ed
Familiaris Counseling Center
Ligaya Acosta-Mother of 3 from Human Life Int’l.
Atty. Jo Imbong mother of 6 - Open Forum/Course of Action
Exec. Sec. CBCP, ECFL.,

Dra. Linda Valenzona
Family Life Apostolate/SAFE

Rev. Fr. Greg Gaston and Dr. Aguirre.-
ECFL

Expected to come up on this meeting will be a “Joint Communication” signed by Fr. Lambert, Fr. Aga, Msgr. Mario, Fr. Fidel Fabile and Bsp. Jesse Mercado.


In charge of communication Fr. Lambert commissioned Bro. Ordan Pinoy and Sis. Aleth to help Circular letter for this purpose shall be prepared by Sis. Aleth and to be signed by Fr. Lambert.

Host vicariate is Sta. Rita de Casia represented by Bro. Paeng & Sis. Nancy Barcelona.

Assignment: Registration/Secretariat/Committee on Documentation (Audio/Video),
Follow-up of attendees to be course thru the Center of CoF thru
Mr. Reden Guste & Gigi Cambella Tel. # 403.38.68

Physical Arrangement ( Venue Preparation)
Bro. Paeng & Sis. Nancy Barcelona
Drinking and Water Despensers: Two (2) per vicariate with plastic cups. To request from the Diocese 1500 packs of juice. To Request St. Paul School for the use of parking space. To coordinate with the Local Baranggay Official for Traffic/Marshall

Then on Aug. 13, bishop wants to gather all priests and religious, Catholic Schools, ,catholic educators, guidance counselors with the COF members for a forum.

The purpose of the bishop is to have a pastoral statement and common direction

Attendance is a must to all concern on the A follow up meeting scheduled on August 3 Tuesday after dinner, 7:30pm at The Cathedral of Saint Andrew.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 pm. After the closing prayer by Sis. Mel and blessing of Fr. Lambert.





Notes taken/typed by: Reviewed and approved by:

Allen Reyes / Che Lastica Rev. Fathers: Lambert Legaspino
July 22, 2010







Note: We also wish to include as well learn the good news that came as a result of this assembly. Attached herewith is the CBCP/ECFL News from Rev. Fr. Melvin Castro.










































Fr. Melvin P. Castro
Executive Secretary, ECFL
Contact number: 0917.514.9798
Email address: fr_melvin@yahoo.com

Media Bulletin 20
July 28, 2010

Education in Human Sexuality
(First of Three Parts)

It is a welcome development that the Department of Education has now withdrawn the Sex Ed modules it had planned to pilot this school year in selected areas nationwide. The sensitivity with which the new Secretary of Education has manifested in this area gives us reason to hope that the government, in particular the department entrusted with the formal education of our youth, will be responsive to the concerns which parents and moral leaders, including the Church, have raised against these modules. Sex education in schools, which began in 1975 in the Philippines as population education, comes from a population-control and moral relativist perspective. In 1994 the International Conference on Population and Development raised the idea of an unrestricted right to sex by any person regardless of age and status which substantially added to the content of sex education.

Education is imparted to develop the intellectual and moral dimensions of the child and prepare the young person for a responsible role in working for the good of society. Education in human sexuality is an important aspect in the child’s integral development if it is understood in its holistic context. The document Educational Guidance in Human Love defines sexuality as “a fundamental component of personality, one of its modes of being, of manifestation, of communicating with others, of feeling, of expressing and of living human love… Sexuality characterises man and woman not only on the physical level, but also on the psychological and spiritual… (a) diversity linked to the complementarity of the two sexes…”

Sexuality is inherent in the body created as either male or female, and thus each person’s action is done and made possible through the body. Men and women – human beings – act through their bodies, express themselves and convey their thoughts and feelings through their bodies. This action is fundamentally an act to relate to another person, which in the highest form is called “communion”, sharing one’s life with the life of another. Such sharing is thus a giving of oneself and it is intended for the good of the other. This self-giving is precisely called love, and human sexuality is the capacity of the person to express love.

From this fundamental understanding of sexuality, it is clear that education in human sexuality cannot be separated from the formation of the character of the child. It is not simply receiving information about the biological process of procreation but learning the integral meaning of the physical aspect in human love: the true beauty of the sexual union lies in self-giving within the rightful place of marriage which carries the promise and commitment of faithful love.

In a climate of moral confusion, sexuality has unfortunately been reduced to sex, and sex to just bodily union for one’s own satisfaction. Education in human sexuality teaches the integral vision coming from knowing the purpose of sex as partnership with God’s creative work. Children have thus to be formed in their moral development first in the home by their parents and then in the schools, nurturing the virtue of chastity and self-control. Information on sex cannot be dissociated from moral principles if the object is the harmonious development and authentic education of the child. #
Appendix 1a