2nd Virtual Presbyterium Conference (Points for Consideration and Schedules)

IMPORTANT POINTS

With the rising Covid cases in our region, we should NOT RELAX in following our GUIDELINES regarding our parish celebrations and our pastoral ministry. Again, please take note of the following:
1. minimum HEALTH STANDARDS set by the IATF or LGU
2. PARTICIPATION OF THE FAITHFUL in our liturgies: age, number of ministers, and allowed number of participants
3. REGISTRATION of those who attend our celebration (for contact tracing, if needed)

In view of November 1 & 2, we should already anticipate the closure of cemeteries especially on those days. So, this can be an important MOMENT OF CATECHESIS. November 1 to 8 is traditionally referred to as the OCTAVE OF ALL SAINTS. So, PLAN AHEAD taking into account the following:

1. The tradition of visiting cemeteries and praying for the dead on the Solemnity All Saints and the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed is connected to the granting of INDULGENCES TO THE SOULS IN PURGATORY. The Manual of Indulgences (no. 29) states: ⁃
  1. A plenary Indulgence, applicable only to souls in purgatory, is granted to the faithful who:
    1. on any and each day from No 1 to 8, devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, if only mentally, for the departed.
    2. on All Souls’ Day (or, according to the judgment of the Ordinary, on the Sunday preceding or following it, or on the Solemnity of All Saints), devoutly visit a church or an oratory and recite an Our Father and the Creed.
  2. A partial indulgence, applicable only to souls in purgatory, is granted to the faithful who:
    1. devoutly visit a cemetery and at least mentally pray for the dead.
    2. devoutly recite lauds or vespers from the Office of the Dead or the Prayer “Eternal Rest”

1. Pastorally, many parishes have Novena masses for the souls in purgatory and some also have Octava masses.
  1. Take note that our SPECIAL MASSES AND INTENTIONS FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY MAY BE DONE FROM OCTOBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 8, especially taking into account the Octave of All Saints (with attached special indulgence).
  2. It is important to advise the faithful that PRAYING INSIDE OUR PARISH CHURCHES AND CHAPELS and OFFERING MASS INTENTIONS for the souls in purgatory may indeed SUFFICE FOR THE DESIRED INDULGENCE and to FULFILL ONE’S OBLIGATION TO PRAY FOR THE DEPARTED SOULS.
  3. You may advise those who insist to go to a cemetery to SCHEDULE THEIR VISIT ON ANY DAY ALLOWED WITHIN THE PERIOD STATED ABOVE, not necessarily on November 1 and 2.
  4. If the cemetery is closed on November 1 and 2, YOU MAY ASK THE LOCAL IATF or LGU PERMISSION TO CELEBRATE ONE MASS (at least on November 2) which could be shared via live streaming or any other media platform. Daily Masses in the cemeteries from Oct 24 (novena) until Nov 8 (octave) may depend on the parish in coordination with the local authorities.
  5. Masses on NOV 1 OR 2 IN OUR PARISH CHURCHES MAY FOLLOW THE SUNDAY SCHEDULE (to accommodate more people). Please be reminded that, as indicated in the Roman Missal, ON NOVEMBER 2 EVERY PRIEST MAY CELEBRATE THREE MASSES, observing, nevertheless, what was established by Benedict XV in his Apostolic Constitution Incruentum altaris sacrificium, August 10, 1915, (1) for a specific intention, (2) for all the faithful departed and (3) for the Holy Father’s intentions.
  6. The MASSES FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED MAY BE SCHEDULED IN DIFFERENT BARRIO CHAPELS from Oct 24 to Nov 8 (following of course LGU guidelines).
  7. It is best to PLAN LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS IN OUR CEMETERIES WITH THE LOCAL IATF or LGU.
  8. Our commemoration for the faithful departed should CULMINATE IN OUR CELEBRATION TO HONOR OUR LADY OF HOPE OF PALO on November 8. The Feast of Our Lady of Hope is not just a feast in commemoration of the loss of lives and property wrought by Supertyphoon Haiyan/Yolanda, but as a liturgical celebration, it should FOCUS MORE on the theological VIRTUE OF HOPE which should be lived by all the faithful in via amidst all challenges, disasters and even the current pandemic which confront man at concrete periods or moments in life. All parishes are therefore encouraged to celebrate this Marian Feast (proper to our archdiocese).

Other Concerns

1. Since October is the ROSARY MONTH, we should encourage all families to pray the Rosary. Instead of a traditional Aurora the FAMILY ROSARY is the best practice especially during this time of the pandemic.

1. October 19 is the Anniversary of the DEDICATION OF THE PALO CATHEDRAL. As announced during the Conference, on this day, the CHRISM MASS will be celebrated. All PRIESTS WORKING IN THE DIOCESE SHOULD ATTEND, except those who are impeded by health or by the directives of their respective LGUs. Because of the current situation we find ourselves in, the Archbishop enjoins all priests in the vicariate to attend a PREPARATORY RECOLLECTION with him. On the culminating mass of the Recollection presided by the Archbishop, priests will RENEW THEIR PRIESTLY PROMISES before him (although the very act of participation in the Eucharist presided by the bishop is already an act of solidarity with him). However, this Rite of Renewal will also be repeated during the Chrism Mass, since this rite forms part of the entire Chrism Mass.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Should there be inquiries please contact me or the Archbishop’s secretary. Thank you. Oremus pro invicem.

Chrism Mass and Renewal of Priestly Promises:

- Date: October 19 (Feast of the dedication of the Our Lord’s Transfiguration Cathedral)
- Venue: SJEST Chapel
- Time: 9am

Schedule for Vicariate Recollections (NOTE: the Vicariate shall decide on the venue of the Recollection)

1. Vicariates
  1. Palompon Vicariate – September 18, 2020
  2. Ormoc Vicariate – September 22, 2020
  3. Carigara Vicariate – September 25, 2020
  4. Tacloban Vicariate – October 5, 2020
  5. Burauen Vicariate – October 6, 2020
  6. Abuyog Vicariate – October 8, 2020
  7. Palo Vicariate – October 9, 2020

1. Schedule
  08:30 Exposition, Lauds, Office, Rosary, Reposition
  09:30 Sharing (participants shall be divided into groups, 3 groups at least)
  10:30 Plenum (the Archbishop will facilitate)
  11:30 Holy Eucharist (the Archbishop shall preside)
  Lunch/Home Sweet Home

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