Episcopal Commission for the Biblical Apostolate

Welcome to Bohol . . . .AVE-VALE (Farewell - Welcome)

Most Rev. Arturo M. Bastes, SVD,DD hosted the Executive Committee Meeting and Solemn Oath Taking of outgoingand incoming chairman and vice-chairman of the Episcopal Commission for theBiblical Apostolate (ECBA) held at Mercedarian Retreat House, Dauis, Bohol andBastes Farm . The participant is being transported by the HolyName University, Janssen Heights and courtesy call to Most Rev. Leonardo Y. Medroso, DD, Bishops of  Tagbilaran at the Bishop’s Residence. 

Business Meeting started with Integrated Morning Prayers and a Holy Mass by Bp. Francisco de Leon, DD at Mercedarian Chapel. The agenda for the meeting is the upcoming 5th National Consultation for Directors and the 18th National Workshop for the Biblical Apostolate and National Capital Region will be hosting the event. It was decided that the venue will be in Club Balai, Talisay, Batangas and on February 8-9, 2010 for the 5th National Consultation for Directors and February 9-13, 2010 for the 18th National Consultation for the Biblical Apostolate. Philippine Bible Society (PBS) and Summer Linguistic Institute (SIL) a network and partners of ECBA are also present in the meeting.

Meeting ended in the late afternoon, and the company visit the one of the most beautiful resort here in Bohol, the Bohol Beach Club sponsored by Fr. Camacho. Some swims to release their stress and dedicated to their hardwork in Commission. The Holy Name University at Janssen Heights one of the SVD's original school here in Bohol invites for a dinner and intend gives some token of awards and gifts by ECBA to appreciate the precious work in the Biblical Apostolate.

Tour in Bohol is a pleasant to all the BA Director, BA Coordinator, Lay and workers of BA after the Execom Meeting such as;

•          Church in Dauis with a well inside
•          Blood Compact Monument in Bool, Tagbilaran City
•          Baclayon Church and Museum
•          Loboc Church and Museum
•          Snack at the house of the family of Bp. Bastes
•          Trip to forest of Loboc and Bilar
•          Sight seeing of the Chocolate Hills
•          Visit at the farm with Oath Taking of the New ECBA Chairman and Officers
•          Lunch at the Farm
•          To Sagbayan, another view of Chocolate Hills
•          Proceed to Tubigon for snacks at Mater Dei College c/o Fr. Florante Camacho SVD
•          Punta Cruz of Maribojoc (if there is a time)
•          Back to Loboc via Tagbilaran

At lunch time in Bastes Farm everything is set, the Solemn Celebration of Oath Taking for the incoming Chairman and Vice Chairman be done by the outgoing Chairman Bp. Arturo M. Bastes, SVD, DD. Here, we witness the turnover of chairmanship to Bp. Pablo Virgilio S. David, DD, Auxiliary Bishop of San Fernando, Pampanga.