Oftentimes, when asked about what church is, people most likely would answer—a building or an infrastructure located at the center of a city or at the foot of the mountain, by the sea or even that in the middle of the plains where at a certain point in time, people who believe in God gather. However, the fundamental meaning of the term "church" is a congregation of believers. The church is Christ's body, and Christ is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23). The members of the body are all Christians. "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ”.
It is also critical to equip the church with knowledge and expertise through pastoral activities so that they can play a significant role in the church's robust foundation. The lay, in collaboration with the clergy and other constituents in the society, work hand-in-hand in order to steer the church into the right path and be able to achieve its vision by fulfilling its mission. On that note, the Diocese of San Carlos through its Formation Team designed a number of activities that would help the parishioners to become not just educated about doing pastoral works but also to help them establish good relationship with each other.
Through thorough deliberation and after successful dry-runs, the team has come up with giving Team-building activity for both church leaders and members that aims to strengthen work relationships and team functioning, such as problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution, so that members of the group may overcome any obstacle that may come along as they continue their journey as missionaries of Christ. This consists of exercises that are intended to aid group members improve their ability to collaborate effectively. Team-building activities are essential so that teams from the different parishes under the diocese’s jurisdiction who are assigned to reach out to their respective basic ecclesial communities and become agents in raising awareness about the church and to make the people in it involved in the happenings of the church may learn to become considerate of their colleagues.
On November 4, 2021, Most Rev. Gerardo A. Alminaza, Bishop of the Diocese of San Carlos, launched a year-long fundraising campaign in commemoration of the Feast of St. Charles Borromeo (at the Cathedral that bears the same name), and the continuing celebration of the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines.
The GIFTED TO GIVE theme of the birth of Christianity in the country highlights the role of Filipino Catholics to GO FORTH, to keep the flames of faith burning, and to become good stewards of God’s gift.
“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied graces.”
— 1 Peter 4:10
The Stewardship and Philanthropic Development Office [SPDO] of the Diocese of San Carlos, in partnership with Global Reach Crowdfunding has set up an online global fundraising platform to support its various advocacies and to help the diocese reach out to its supporters and donor base beyond the San Carlos community, across the United States, and around the globe.
Crowdfunding is a process of raising small amounts of money from the global community, resulting in a big financial impact. It is a community-driven online fundraising that activates friends and family members globally, turning them into an army of personal fundraisers to support the diocese.
Crowdfunding also provides an opportunity to CONNECT the Diocese of San Carlos to the world. By reaching out to your friends and family members overseas, you are allowing them, to not only celebrate with us, but also serve the community by supporting the works of our Church.
Using PayPal, one of the most secured and recognized global payment processor, the platform accepts donations from anywhere in the world, from all major credit cards like Visa and Mastercard. You do not need a PayPal account to make a donation.
“The strength of this platform is in its openness to small people, that’s why it’s called crowdfunding, because, then you are able to reach to as many people through online means and even if they give small amounts, but because of the numbers it can reach millions,” Bishop Gerry said during the program launch.
From raising funds for the completion of the St. John Vianney Seminary building, to developing programs to help the community attain meaningful relationship with Christ, to fighting the evil threatening family life, and supporting the healthcare and retirement funds of our priests, our diocese is actively engaging the local and global communities to support our programs.
See below for complete list of advocacies.
“Brothers and sisters, we are all part of this endeavor for we all belong to the Church, the one family of God. We all share responsibility for the Church. Thus, we encourage all the baptized to regularly, wholeheartedly, and generously contribute to the Church so that we can fulfill our common mission of spreading the Good News, of serving humanity and caring for the whole of creation.”
— Archbishop of Davao ROMULO G. VALLES, D.D. Pastoral Statement on Stewardship, January 28, 2021
Please support our advocacies and help us CONNECT the Diocese of San Carlos to the world.
Be safe and God bless.
