St. Joachim and St. Anne in General Nakar: Model Parish

St. Joachim and St. Anne Parish St. Joachim and St. Anne Parish, of General Nakar in the Prelature of Infanta, was among the first to embrace stewardship as a way of life. Until 2003, when a bridge was finally built between the town and Infanta, its mother town, this parish was isolated from the rest of mainland Luzon because of a wide and often treacherous river. Due to this isolation, its people have often felt inferior to those in Infanta. In fact some might consider them as “lethargic and without ambition.”

Nowadays however, St. Anne Parish has become a model parish in the country, proving stewardship works even among the poorest of the poor and not just in rich parishes such as St. Thomas More. St. Anne Parish has, indeed embraced stewardship as a way of life. The reason: Its pastor, Father Israel Gabriel, who was among the participants of the Cebu Conference, and who experienced conversion to stewardship as a way of life. Upon his return to his parish, he decided to put his conversion into practice, and no sooner, he was sharing his conversion with his parishioners. Within the 40 days of Lent in 2003, Father Israel focused on the “Spirituality of Stewardship” to give his parishioners the motivation to respond to God’s call to live their faith in God.

In no time parishioners, many of whom already are active in the parish, were beginning to embrace stewardship as a way of life – making time for God in prayer, promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life, preserving the earth and giving of their time talent and treasure. Stewardship, says Father Israel, was the “integrating factor of all the projects and activities in the parish.” What was incredible about this parish was the fact that lack of resources did not hinder them from making stewardship a way of life in their parish. In fact, they relied mostly on the teaching on the “Spirituality of Stewardship” at Mass, in schools, and in the Basic Ecclesial Communities.

Indeed, stewardship has increased awareness in promoting vocations and in preserving the earth even among the children and youth. “The young people have begun to pray for their peers who may have a calling to become a priest or to enter religious life,” said Rosie Castro, another catechist. “And the youth have become active in ecology projects,” she said.

Even the indigenous people have embraced stewardship as a way of life – especially in the areas of ecology and vocations. Influenced by globalization and consumerism, they are now going back to their roots and their love of the earth -- recycling, gardening and ways to protect the environment. They also are now sensitive to the desire of their people interested in religious life. “They used to tease any one who expresses a desire to become a priest,” says Father Pete Montallano, a Franciscan missionary in the Prelature of Infanta. “But now, they are not only interested in finding someone who may have a vocation to the priesthood or religious life, they are also praying for them. In fact, the indigenous people have identified two young men who are discerning a life as a religious.

In addition, the offertory collection started growing slowly, from pre-Cebu collection of 200 pesos (roughly $4) to as high as 1,800 pesos (about $33) given by some 200 people who attend the one and only Mass on Sunday. As a result, the parish was able to build the “Labayen Hall,” without getting funds from outside sources. One thing he changed was the offertory collection. He liked the idea of the altar call, and started asking his parishioners to come forward to bring their gifts to the altar. And they did! “We like the idea that we are personally presenting our gifts to the Lord,” said Annie Buencamino, a catechist and one of the promoters of stewardship in the parish. What was more impressive about St. Anne’s success was the fact that parishioners continue to practice stewardship even when Father Israel was transferred to another parish in the prelature.

Fortunately for them, Father Mario Establecida, who succeeded, also attended the Cebu Conference and was convinced of the practice. Among his first official act of business as parish priest was sending lay leaders to a Facilitators’ Training on stewardship, offered by the Socio Pastoral Institute and the Cebu Conference Task Force headed by Sr. Angie Donado, O.Carm., another participant of the Cebu Conference. Father Mario and his lay leaders, convinced of the value of education in promoting stewardship, immediately scheduled workshop seminars for various sectors of the parish – farmers, fishermen, government employees, women and youth. I had the privilege of attended all three seminars conducted by the lay leaders. I was very impressed at the knowledge of the facilitators – a team of five -- and how they have embraced the spirituality of stewardship.

The teaching module developed by the Task Force as mandated by the Cebu Conference is very culture appropriate and very well received by the ordinary parishioner. “I realized I have not given enough to God – in time, talent or treasure,’ said one government employee. The seminars flowed smoothly and presented using chalkboards and charts. Using a lot of storytelling, the seminars also are a time to look at how their parish evolved, when it was created and the stories of its growth. Audience participation was usually lively and encouraged.

After the third conference on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Father Mario conducted the Commitment Sunday for treasure, which Father Israel did not have a chance to conduct. The result was an incredible outpouring of generosity, which brought in that Sunday, more than 6,000 pesos, almost unheard of in the parish. Father Mario reports that sometimes, when a “balikbayan” comes to visit the parish, the offertory goes up to as high as 28,000 pesos. Obviously, stewardship teaching continues to inspire even visitors to give generously in thanksgiving for God’s blessings.

The Challenge

Then an unthinkable happened! On November 29, 2004, General Nakar and several neighboring towns were hit by a devastating typhoon, followed by three others in a week’s time, each one stronger than the other, and causing flashfloods and mudslides and sending logs – hundreds of them – crushing down anything on their path from the mountains, killing thousands and destroying properties and livelihood. It was almost unbearable to hear of stories of death and survival. And we heard many of them. Yet we also heard of stories of hope and faith and love. I’m sure you all know this. Sometimes it’s difficult to believe in God’s love. When disasters strike and hundreds of people die and thousands lose their humble homes, it’s not easy to accept Divine Providence. Sometimes, it’s challenging to cling to hope.

When people who already struggle with poverty are devastated by a natural disaster of this magnitude, it’s easy to cave in to bitterness. Sometimes, it’s almost impossible to have faith in God’s mercy. When good people, including heroic priests, die during an act of God, it’s hard -- if not impossible -- to reconcile such tragedy. .” What do I tell these people who have just recently embraced stewardship as a way of life? Why has God, who cannot be outdone in generosity, abandoned them? The people could be left reeling in despair, despondency, doubt.

Yet they proved that they are a people of faith sustained by their faith. They are believers bolstered by their belief. In Infanta, after the typhoon, one would expect people to blame God for the tragedy that befell them. Yet, Bishop Tirona, after being told that no one would come to the “Simbang Gabi,” found his cathedral packed amidst the mud and debris. Even Father Mario, who informed me that there was no more stewardship, was dumbfounded when his parishioners told him that they need to continue giving back to God. “We are alive, they said, “and we thank God for that.” That’s true faith!

In their embrace of stewardship spirituality, parishioners have made the church of the poor come alive at St. Anne Parish. “I’ve learned,” said one bishop, “that even in the midst of poverty and suffering the Gospel can be brought to life in our people. I felt uplifted to know that great things for people are possible.” St. Anne Parish has become an inspiration to the bishops, clergy religious and lay leaders and to the entire Philippine Church. “If they can do it,” they said, “we can do it too.”

Indeed, stewardship has given face to the church of the poor. As one bishop puts it, “Becoming church, building the Kingdom of God, is not really a matter of strategies or tactics but of spirit.”
                                 
-- Mila Glodava