During the 10th Philippine Conference on the New Evangelization, a couple of our SCA Alumni were able to join and participate. SCAn Beah Marie Ganarias, part of the 56th Generation of the Mother of Life Center, Hingalayo, shared her experience to us:
Last January 19 – 21, 2024, I was invited to participate in the 10th Philippine Conference on the New Evangelization at the University of Santo Tomas. It was my first time attending that kind of event. “SALYA, let us cross to the other side” from Mark 4:35, is the theme for this year’s gathering.
As what Archbishop Jose Advincula said, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Manila as well as the chairman of the PCNE, SALYA simply means pressing forward. An occasion of Salya is an occasion of togetherness, he added. On the other hand, “crossing over” or known as “Translacion”, is where Jesus invites us to make bridges for synodality.
In the first talk given by the keynote speaker, His Eminence Cardinal Mario Grech, the Secretary-General of the synod of bishops, he shares the synthesis report of the last synod and shared the insights about the culture of corresponsibility for the mission of the church.
Moreover, among the different concurrent workshops, I was part of the social media / digital group. “Pulpit to Pixel: Embracing Synodality in Communicating the Catholic Faith to the Next Generation Filipinos” is the message that the workshop was trying to achieve. The digital realm is an efficient means of evangelization in today's era. The online world is now a part of the lives of most people. Hence, the transmission of faith must also adapt to these changes. Content about catechesis of faith can be found on online media platforms. However, it should be noted that there are some disadvantages to this, such as the proliferation of fake news and similar things.
There is no assurance of security regarding this new way of evangelizing, which is why prudence is highly encouraged.
Hence, one of the activities that piqued my interest was the Conversation in the Spirit, also known as Bahaginang Diwang Banal. The church is encouraged to engage in spiritual conversation and communal discernment by acknowledging the Holy Spirit as the true protagonist of the Synod. Therefore, we are called to journey together towards conversion to make realize the mission of the Church.
This 10th PCNE experience made me realize that synodality is a grace. It is a gift. It would have a significant effect on the people's relationship and create a church that is always accessible for everyone. Synodality is empowering. Through the Holy Spirit, we receive fire to enlighten ourselves, allowing us to share this fire with others.
Beah is an alumnus of SCAP UNO-Recoletos Senior High School and College units. During her time in SCA, she became part of the National Coordinating Council. She is a registered Pharmacist and is also a volunteer animator from the Diocese of Bacolod.