Episcopal Commission for the Biblical Apostolate

Dear Fathers,Brothers, Sisters, Partners in the Biblical-Pastoral Ministry,

MerryChristmas and a Blessed New Year!  We are onein joyful celebration of the birth of our Savior Jesus, the IncarnateWord.   As we are the Father’s gifts toJesus (Jn 17:21),   so we are also giftsto one another.

Our National Bible Week  on January  25- 31, 2010 calls forunity in making the prayer of Jesus come true, that “they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, thatthey also may be one in us…”  (Jn 17:21). The unbelievers and thefaith seekers will believe in Jesus as the one sent by the Father when a commonunion is experienced and lived by us. The Bible Week gives us a chance to explore different approaches indeepening our experience of the Living Word in the sanctuary of our homes andfamilies,  in  our busy life in schools, offices andinstitutions, in centers of formation and renewal, in the government andmilitary service and in the Basic Ecclesial Communities.

In addition to our regular activities for theNational Bible Week, we would like to propose some activities:

       Bible Enthronement in homes and Families, in classrooms and offices, in chapels and Churches (also on birthdays, anniversaries etc)

•    Integrate Bible Enthronement   in  novenas, devotions and where it is possible   in liturgical celebrations
•    Gospel Sharing in homes and in the BEC, before or afterHoly Mass, in different occasions
•    Ecumenical  Bible Parade and Bible Rally with biblical quotations in posters and flaglets
•    Request  aletter of endorsement or municipal ordinance from authorities to encouragepublic and     community Bible reading in accordance to Presidential  Decree Nos. 1923 (Oct 27,1979 – Marcos) andPres. Proclamation 44 (1986 Aquino) and PP 1067(Ramos)
•    Request for a Pastoral Letter  from the Local Ordinary for the fullparticipation of the faithful  inreading, studying, praying , celebrating and supporting  the national bible week  celebration and the Bible Sunday Collecta(40%diocese, 30% region, 30% ECBA)
•    Family Bible Quiz – Youth Bible Quiz- Children’sBible Quiz – Senior Citizens’ Bible Quiz
•    Biblia Sports Festival : Biblialakad (pilgrims walking to Shrine); Bibliabola (games with biblical names of teams); Bibliagala (public reading and paradeof biblical personalities in different attires)
•    Gospel Song Festivals (and concerts) : publiccontest during the week;   semi-finalistson Saturday and Championship on Bible Sunday
•     Live Radio interviews  and Updates on the daily activities duringthe National Bible Week
•     Salitext : forwarding biblical verse and BibleAnime
•     CONTINUOUS READING OF  THE BIBLE  from Genesis to Revelation on Jan.30afternoon, eve of  Bible Sunday  – distributed to all Regional  Biblical Centers  (mechanics to be emailed/faxed)

Kindly fill up (www.ecba-cbcp.com– web form registration) the Registration form for the coming 5thNational Consultation and the 18th National Biblical Workshop. TheDiocesan Directors are requested to come for the 5th NationalConsultation (Feb 8 and 9 AM) with a registration fee of P5,000.00 only(inclusive of National Biblical Workshop). Delegates for the 18thNational Biblical Workshop   (Feb.9PM-13) will pay P4,500.00 only.  EachDiocese is entitled to send 2-3 people with the Director. The Regional Centercan send 3-5 staff members.

Truly,the Word of God is the life and mission of the Church. Let us pray for thesuccess of the National Consultation and National Biblical Workshop.

Inthe Incarnate Word,

 Fr.Oscar A. Alunday, SVD

ExecutiveSecretary - ECBA