Eucharist and Elections

Ite Missa Est. At the end of the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, the priest says, “go forth, the mass is ended.” At this point in the Mass, we have received the Body and Blood of Christ in Communion and have taken time to reflect in a period of silence that follows. This part of the Mass is so important that the name “Mass” is derived from this very notion within the liturgy. The priest gives us a blessing by invoking the Sign of the Cross, and finally, the words, “Go forth” which carries the sense of mission.

In the Archdiocese of Davao, the Association of Catholic Schools (DACS) launched E-CHAMP this year as a response to the exhortation of Archbishop Romulo Valles, D.D. to engage in non-partisan electoral activities. It is an apostolic initiative of the Archdiocese of Davao whose task is given to DACS with the mandate to engage the Catholic churches and its institution as well as other people of goodwill to help make the upcoming election clean, honest, accurate, meaningful and peaceful, and promote a culture of volunteerism which is one hallmark of Filipino value of solidarity, bayanihan.

DACS E-CHAMP is involved in these key areas: voter’s education and information, poll-watching (in voting centers) and voters’ assistance (for the people with disabilities, Lumad, first time voters, etc.) and monitoring of election activities through mass media. More importantly, E-CHAMP monitors and reports instances where the process is compromised, breached and violated. As a volunteer organization, DACS E-CHAMP relies on donations, contributions and financial support of generous benefactors and donors to support its massive operation.

Get involved by volunteering in the upcoming elections. Help DACS E-CHAMP and be counted. May your participation truly be an expression of your response to Ite Missa Est. Go forth…