In this issue on lay leadership in church life, we feature the viewpoints of former officers of ROLP Pastoral Council (PPC). This is to complement the Sinag’s October-November 2010 edition, which focused on the parish youth. Here we asked each of the officers a different question to draw out their thoughts on various aspects of leadership and service in the parish. Leaving with so much experience tucked under their belts, these people share valuable advice that could help their successors carry out their responsibilities.
What important advice would you give to the incoming PPC officers?
I believe that the best advice I can give the incoming officers is for them to persevere in their work. No work is without its trials, difficulties and problems, and if we hope to succeed, we all have to be committed to our work. Wisdom, patience, discipline, kindness, understanding, teamwork, and a loving heart are needed in order to lessen or avoid difficulties, problems and differences. I also believe that a leader, who should be exemplary in behavior, must not indulge in unrestrained talk.
A leader should unite and not divide the members of the parish. A leader should draw people into the parish and not cause them to move away. And, most important of all, is for them—for us all—to keep our minds and hearts focused on WHO we serve and why we do serve.
We should not expect any reward for what we do. We only offer our all to God Almighty—the source of everything we have. Nothing we do in service to God and men can ever equal the good we receive.
Let us look at our service as simply returning what we receive. Let us be happy that we are able to be of service and let us all know that without God we can do nothing and we are nothing. Let our service be all for the glory of God. - Dollie Basa, Former PPC Coordinator
What are the things that you would most wish or pray for in order for our parish to grow?
We pray that we will always be “open and docile to the Holy Spirit ....” and “ever thankful for...generous, simple and God-loving people...a faithful community of Christ’s disciples grounded on the Eucharist.”
We tried to do our best in the tasks assigned to us and in our relationships with those around us, particularly with the less privileged members of our community, to live out our above-stated Parish Vision. Every time we pray the Our Father, we give special focus on our plea to Him: “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth (especially in our parish) as it is in heaven.”
We pray for the evangelization of every family; for the Munting Simbahang Kapitbahayan to flourish as centers of Christian life; for more well-informed Christ-centered Catholics who will share their time, talent and treasure in parish programs like the Balik Alay sa Panginoon program; for more opportunities of Christian formation and service for young people; and for a more proactive PPC that will respond to the various needs of the parish in the attainment of the Parish Vision.
Most of all, we pray that our community be ever grounded on our love for the Eucharist. - Filemon Fernandez, Jr., Former BAPP Coordinator
What do you think are the qualities required of a good and efficient leader?
Commitment, I think, is the most important thing that leaders should have, especially in church, where everyone works as a volunteer. Being committed entails a lot of sacrifices; hence leaders must also know how to prioritize things and manage their time wisely.
Leaders must also be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others. Once they are aware of the needs of other people, initiative must follow. They should make sure that they do what they can to address whatever needs to be done.
Though enjoyable, parish work sometimes comes with trials. That is why patience is also vital in being a leader, who must face every problem that arises. It is important to deal with problems prudently, and part of it is listening to the suggestions and recommendations of others. Leaders must also be team workers who can cooperate with everyone in pursuing important projects in the parish.
Above all, good leaders must have faith in God who is the source of all our skills and talents. - Joy dela Cruz, Former PPC Secretary
Anong kasiyahan ang naidudulot sa iyong buhay ng pagiging PPC officer?
Isang karangalan ang mapili bilang kasapi ng PPC dahil alam ko, na sa kabila ng aking mga kakulangan, ako ay pinagkatiwalaang humawak ng posisyon. Masaya ako sapagkat alam kong tinutulungan ako ng Panginoon na magampanan ang aking gawain at nabigyan din ako ng pagkakataon na makasama at makatrabaho ang mga taong masigasig at malikhain sa pagtupad ng kanilang tungkulin. - Ma. Teresa D. Barro, Former Formation Ministry Coordinator
Ano ang pinakamatinding hamon na iyong pinagdaanan bilang PPC officer at paano mo ito nalampasan?
Naging isang malaking hamon sa akin ang pakikisama sa lahat ng miyembro ng PPC. Hindi naging madali para sa akin na i-please ang lahat sapagkat may iba’t-ibang personalidad ang bawat isa. Tanda ko pa nga na noong una akong dumalo ng meeting ay may nagtanong, “Sino siya”? Sa bawat araw ng paglilingkod ko sa parokya, sari-sari at iba’t-iba ang mga nakakasalamuha ko. Hanggang sa ngayon ay patuloy kong natututunang maki-ayon at makisama sapagkat ito ang nararapat. - Leslie Mendezabal, Former MSK Coordinator
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