Diocesan Council of the Laity, Diocese of Masbate

Official Name Masbate Diocesan Council of the Laity
Other Name or Acronym MDCL
Vision A community of Christ’s disciples guided by the Holy Spirit, responsive to the signs of the times, journeying with Mary, our Mother towards the fullness of the Kingdom of God.
Mission We, the people of God in the Diocese of Masbate, commit ourselves to a life of:

  • HOLINESS, sustained by the Word, Sacraments, prayer, and the practice of the evangelical counsels and devotion to Mary;
  • DEDICATED SERVICE through integral evangelization, defense of the sacredness of life, preservation   of the ecology, and promotion of peace,  justice and mercy;
  • INTEGRAL HUMAN GROWTH through regular updating and study,      familiarity with contemporary Church’s issues, and the development of skills;
  • COMMUNION through harmonious relationships, respect, support and caring; and the promotion of ecumenism;
  • SOLIDARITY with our suffering brothers and sisters through simplicity and humility in keeping with the spirit of the Church of the poor.
Year Established 1991
Year Accredited w/ Laiko 1993
History

THE MDCL (Masbate Diocesan Council of the Laity) was organized thru the inspiration of the first Bishop of Masbate, the late Bishop Porfirio R. Iligan. Composed mainly of parish council presidents, the council is now composed of heads of the different diocesan organizations and movements and representatives of the youth, women and the professions.

The lay played a very important role in the construction of the first Bishop’s pet projects – that of the construction of the Minor Seminary, the Balay Pare to mention only a few and the recruitment of seminarians, many of which are now serving the diocese as clergies in the different parishes.

With the death of the first bishop of Masbate and the coming of a young and intelligent Bishop, His Excellency Joel Z. Baylon in 1998, lay organization and movements became more invigorated, and more parishioners became more aware of their role in the life of the Church, the true meaning of their existence and their concern for their fellowmen, the environment and other social concerns.

A new movement which is inspired by Pondo ng Pinoy and initiated by the young Bishop, truly composed of lay leaders and supported by the clergy is a diocesan movement/ project intended to help the poor, the marginalized, the victims of child abuse, and women in difficult circumstances. This is MUMHO, a term used locally for “Crumbs”.

Composition of Membership Very active in the Laity’s journeying with the clergy in the establishment of God’s Kingdom are the Youth, the Marriage Encounter Communities, the Neo-Catechumenical Communities, the Couples for Christ, the Holy Name Society, the Knights of Columbus, the Hermanos Y Hermanas, the Marian Organizations- Mother Butler Mission Guilds, CWL, Lourdes, Immaculate Conception, Mother of Perpetual Help, Pious Union of St. Anthony, Sodality of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The presidents of these organizations and movements compose the Diocesan Council of the Laity of Masbate.
Affiliations Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas –CBCP
Official Contact Address St. Anthony Cathedral Parish

Masbate City

Logo

logo_masbate

(N.B. Official Seal of the Diocese)
Current Officers President:   Nora C. Aribon

First Vice-President:    Dr. Elpidio Lim

Secretary:    Mr. Kokoy Dillo

Treasurer:    Mr. Val Olalia

Spiritual Adviser:    Rev. Msgr. Claro “Boy” Caluya III

Spiritual Director:    Most Rev. Bishop Jose Salmorin Bantolo

 

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