DBYC–Tondo Ushers in 2017 Season of Creation with GEA

By Jojo Valenzuela, SDB

Manila, the Philippines, 1 September 2017 -- Responding to the call of Pope Francis in his encyclical Laudato Si, The Don Bosco Youth Center (DBYC) Tondo ushered in the Season of Creation through a Grand Eucharistic Adoration (GEA). The theme of this year’s GEA was “Sambayanang Makakalikasan, Kaisa Kay Kristo (Nature-loving Nation, One in Christ)”. This was held in St. John Bosco Parish–Tondo on the evening of September 1, 2017. The event was participated by the parishioners of St. John Bosco Parish–Tondo, youths of DBYC and students of Don Bosco TVET Center–Tondo.

What is the Season of Creation? “September 1 was proclaimed as the World Day of Prayer for Creation by the Orthodox Church in 1989, and many other Christian churches have joined since then, with Pope Francis most recently in 2015. It was then extended to be a month-long Season of Creation, ending on October 4 (Feast of St. Francis).”

“From September 1 to October 4, Christians around the world are praying and caring for creation. It’s the “Season of Creation” celebrated by Christian churches around the globe. From Miami to Manila, we’re uniting with one purpose: to steward the Earth.” (see: seasonofcreation.org)

In front of the Eucharistic Lord, the participants worshiped and adored. There were plenty of moments of prayer and silence as the participants reflected on how they are challenged to be good stewards of God’s creation. They prayed for healing of the Earth, our common home and the responsible use of resources so that all of humanity, most especially the poor ones, can benefit from it. The participants’ concrete actions and commitments were written in pieces of paper and offered to the Lord.

The Eucharistic Adoration was presided by Fr. Duds Hila, SDB and Fr. Rey Ranjo, SDB (SJBP Tondo Parish Priest and Assistant Parish Priest, respectively). Bro. Renan Parala, SDB and the Kwerdas ni Maria Rondalla Group played the music, while the Magone Choir, under Bro. Dominic Verano, SDB, led the singing. The Main Friends Club participated with liturgical dance. The Knights of the Altar were the servers while the Liturgical Committee were the commentators and the readers. The decoration of the church and over-all liturgy was done by the Worship Committee.

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