DaDiTaMa Clergy bond together, reflects on issues and challenges

“What is that particular challenge that you experience now as a priest? How do you make it as an opportunity for God to enter your life? What is that particular source of your joy as a priest? How is Christ part of it?”

These were the questions of Most Rev. Bishop Buenaventura Malayo Famadico, D.D. Bishop of the Diocese of San Pablo, chair of the Episcopal Commission on Clergy (ECCLER) for the almost 300 clergy who came to the 1st Davao, Digos, Tagum and Mati (DADITAMA) Gathering and launching of The Year of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons at the Christ the King Cathedral, Tagum City last December 4-5.

On the second day of the conference, Bp. Famadico spoke about the issues and the challenges that priests face today. He encouraged each of them to be joyful in serving, not only for the sake of the laity but for the whole church as well, including brother priests.

Themed “Renewed Servant Leader for the New Evangelization…Fully Aware that He goes to the Father. Jesus Rose and Began to Wash the Disciple’s Feet”, the gathering started with Holy Eucharist presided over by the CBCP President Archbishop Romulo G. Valles, D.D., followed by the sports competition such as basketball, badminton, volleyball and tennis. Others who did not play went on a city tour.

The clergy were divided into four teams: Bishop Thibault (Red), Bishop Mabutas (Blue), Bishop Regan (Yellow) and Bishop Camiña (White). Winning teams for the basketball were Green and Yellow teams. The Green Team won the championship over Red in the volleyball competition.

In badminton, the winners for the Doubles Division were Rev. Fr. Christopher Alcayde and Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Calumpong from the Archdiocese of Davao while on Singles Division, Rev. Fr. Eric Parantar from the Diocese of Digos got the tilt. In Table Tennis-Singles Division, Rev. Fr. Jack Malnegro from the Diocese of Tagum was declared as the champ.

The events form part of the preparation of the 500th year of Christianity in the Philippines. (Earnarose Cadungog | La Paloma Mensajera)