Common tasks of a pastor

The OMI province has established many oblate missions in different parts of the country mostly in the remote islands of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi Archipelago and in the mountainous region of Northern and Southern Mindanao. These missions are either based in parish, school, media, or vocation. I am assigned in Gapok Parish with Fr. Elmer G. Boston, OMI under the Archdiocese of Cotabato since I was still a deacon on April of last year. To me it was a “dream come true” since as a scholastic I already saw my utmost enthusiasm in lobbying the thought of being assigned in one of the mountain areas where the Oblates do their missionary work.My parish, just like every parish has its own “framework” on how to establish or maintain a good and successful missionary work.  But this sort of framework will always be affected or incongruence with the personal frame of mind of the priests assigned. And so how can we say that the parish has “traction,” meaning, a certain movement or improvement? What are the various methods needed? And how can it be measured in terms of productivity? These are few questions that will deliberately help establish a “good” parish. Building good relationshipAs a young priest, I already had at the back of my mind some frameworks as I went to my mission area. And the first thing I considered very important in my mission was ‘building good relationship’ with the people. We have to bear in mind that the structure or the Church is simply a reflection of having good relationship among leaders and its members. Consequently, if there is good relationship between and among the parish staff and the mission partners (parishioners) then there is a viable leaning to its good status.Having good relationship with the people entails respect, a sense of dialogue and friendship. And so for priests, to be involved in the daily struggles and concerns of the people in the parish ‘territory’ through house visitations, formal or informal conversations and the likes, create a deeper and closer friendship. In fact, it even generates deeper reflections as to how to help and recapture the imperatives of the mission’s objectives and vision. But of course, it would take some risks and will to give up one’s “comfort zones” in order to step out and know others’ “comfort zones.” The good news about this risk is that there’s a possibility that one can become a “member” of others’ zones albeit that could mean series of ‘rituals.’ And the bad news is that one has to do it again and again to make the common uncommon, unnatural to natural, diverse to one. No short-cuts! Strengthening BECsI learned and confirmed that through dialogue in its various forms, we can garner a wider and deeper sense of understanding with each other. Meaning, it has to involve everyone as equal in role and dignity and importance.  That’s why we gave emphasis on strengthening the BECs. Establishing these “basic structures” imposes a huge mark of development in the parish. Not only does it fill the gap of the priests’ undone tasks but also serves as significant structure in strengthening the faith of the people. The BECs are the cornerstone of every parish community. It creates bonding, unity and even deeper faith and concern for others among the people. Through BECs, we noticed that the number of active members is growing. But we have to admit that there is still much work to be done. This time, the BECs still have to be constantly guided for a better output, imprinting its significance to the life of the Church, people and community.Develop good preachingAnother important task of a pastor in the community is preaching. It always poses a great challenge for the pastors to be good preachers. They have to proclaim the gospel with certainty, effectiveness and good theology. Fortunately, people at this generation do not simply listen and accept everything what the pastor is saying. They know what to believe and what to disregard. And so we preach to the people the Word of God and we try as much as possible to make it simple and contextual – words and principles which can really help them in their faith, struggles, and life. That’s is why we also train our Lay Ministers (kaabags) to develop their preaching method through series of lectures and activities because I believe that through good sermons we can empower our leaders and build confidence and vision for our young people.Promoting environment advocacyAs the situation calls, we have been working on anti-mining programs. We have been educating leaders and people in our reach the importance of their land in their life and families and how coal mining could destroy all their “treasures.” We have been eying on video presentation in every chapel to etch the destructive effects of coal mining contrary to the false projection and information of the mining companies. And we have been quite successful in this advocacy through the help of some Local Organization in the area. But the news of the spread of mining activities in many of our areas is still overwhelming knowing that the mining company which has entered the areas is under SMC and even made very tempting with the dismal financial need of the people. Nevertheless, we are optimistic in the situation. Eventually, people will understand our thrust and work on their proper response on this issue. Aside from our anti-mining advocacy, we are also advocating the planting of trees to all our chapel areas. This was in answer to the present situation where trees are becoming fewer because of illegal logging activities which cause natural calamities like flash floods and landslides. Tapping good leadersLast December 2011, we had a 3-day Parish General Assembly (PGA). It was a huge and important occasion of the whole parish which involved all parish leaders of the different ministries and organizations from parish level to the chapels and BECs. The PGA, a yearly event, aims the next year’s platform or “road map” as to where and what the parish will undertake for its future and further improvement. It was also the time where we create and select new leaders to be our partners in the mission. Having this assembly also helps our leaders to be firm in their commitment in helping the parish in its programs and activities. In a way, it encourages our leaders seeing themselves participating in the decisions of the entire parish activities and programs. It also highlights the checking of parish policies whether they are still acceptable or needs some amendments.Daily Masses in the chapelsBut what people can easily notice among the priests in the mission is our ‘travels.’ We travel every day going to different chapels to celebrate Mass either by motorcycle, horse or with our bare feet. We have 54 chapel covered by the parish and we visit more or less 30-40 percent every month since others have their masses either yearly or annually. While other mission areas like that in the urban entails mental, intellectual, and spiritual struggles and challenges, in my mission, it requires primarily of physical adroitness without marking down of course the affective, intellectual and emotional challenges as well.  Community BondingMoreover, as an apostolic community, oblates are always called to enrich each other. The good thing about having an Oblate companion in the mission is that there is someone you can easily talk to or to confide with especially in times of difficulties and personal struggles.  And in that case, it means security on both sides. Even in making decisions, it becomes easier and perspective-wise, it is more reliable. The presence of other Oblates in nearby parishes also gave that same impact. Common prayerFinally, the one thing that every mission and community must always bear in them is common prayer. The constitution has never failed to mention the need and significance of common prayer activity to every community in mission. So it is our daily ritual to say the morning and evening prayer together in the chapel. Undoubtedly, it becomes our source of inspiration and strength to do our tasks and perform our mission with dedication and compassion.I have been working in the mission for several months now and I believe these “framework” that we have been implementing are good factors for a parish to have “traction.” I had an early leave after I met an accident while in the mission. This time I am staying at NDU for recuperation. But I will be back in the mission after a month or so and hopefully I will bring with me fresh zeal of inspiration for the people.