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OFFICE FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES MINISTRY SYMBOLICALLY OPENED

by: Jurambelle Jhon Sacil, OMI --- 5/15/2017

Fr. Jurambelle John Sacil, OMI and Timanan community participants at the IPM office blessing.

Last January 15, 2017, on the occasion of the Feast of Sto. Niňo, the Indigenous Peoples Ministry (IPM) Office was blessed after the Eucharistic celebration at Our Lady of Salvation Parish, Timanan, Romongaob, South Upi, Maguindanao. The IPM office is a visible sign of the continuing commitment of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the Archdiocese of Cotabato and the whole Church for the Indigenous People here in South Upi, Maguindanao.

During the blessing, Fr. Sacil said that “the feast of the Sto. Niňo is a timely reminder for all regarding the divine simplicity of children. The simplicity of the Holy Child is seen in the simplicity and littleness of the Indigenous Peoples. The blessing of the office during this feast day reminds me and our IP staff, Parish and those involved in this apostolate that in God’s love, no one is so little so as not to be included and loved. The office has a native accent (“amakan” walls) and color telling us that we are embracing the wonderful and earth-friendly products of the Indigenous Peoples.”

The blessing started with an opening prayer ritual by a Teduray “kѐmamal kaadatan” (community prayer leader) with the “Dulang” (Teduray-Lambangian term, similar to a Christian altar). It signifies that the IPM office respects and recognizes the beauty of their faith traditions. An image of the Sto. Niňo from Cebu is enthroned in the office as a consecration to God of all our little efforts for and with the Tedurays. The establishment of an IPM office is also in line with the 2-year road map plans last November 7-11, 2016 National Convention in Roxas City, Capiz by the different Archdiocesan/ Dioceses IP Apostolate In-charge and Directors delegated by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines – Episcopal Commission on Indigenous Peoples(CBCP-ECIP.) The event was also witnessed by Fr. Boyet Palomo, OMI, parish priest of Our Lady of Salvation Parish-South Upi, Parish Pastoral Council officers, Local Government Representatives and regular Church goers.