Parish Renewal Experience Batch 25
Taytay: San Lorenzro RUiz Parish had their 25th Parish Renewal Experience (PREX). It was a two-day renewal, held at San Lorenzo Ruiz Old-church. THere were seven (7) participants graduated of the said 'Renewal Experience'. The activity started last Saturday (March 10) and concluded at the eve of Sunday (11).
The Parish Renewal Experience is based on the concept expressed by Pope Paul VI: “The Church is an evangelizer, but she begins by evangelizing herself by constant conversion and renewal, in order to evangelize world with credibility” (Evangelii Nuntiandi). It is an attempt to answer the three questions posed by Pope Paul VI in the apostolic exhortation mentioned:
What has happened to that hidden energy of the good News which has such a powerful effect on man’s conscience?
Is the evangelical force of the Gospel capable of transforming lives?
What method should be followed to insure that the Gospel may have the proper impact?
The Parish Renewal Weekend is a conversion experience. It is a strong recall into belonging to the people of God, the Church. The reestablishment of belonging occurs through an emphasis on, and an experience of, reconciliation. It is an attempt to respond to the search for direction and approaches to strengthen and deepen the life of our parishes. It advances the parishes (priests, religious and laity together as a family) toward the goal of a faith community. There is a continuing need for reconciliation in all of us. The follow-up to the Weekend is not a movement in the setting of parish life is based on this need. The Parish Renewal Weekend is not a movement from without to help the parish. It is about the parishes renewing themselves. The follow- up at parish level is therefore vital. This calls for no structures since everything is based on existing groups and societies, nor does it call for new movements and new societies. It concentrates simply on the parish. A greater awareness then emerges that the parish is not a “we” and “they” arrangement, but a call to be family – to learn how to live with and love one another.
