The Diocesan / Prefecture Pastoral Council

Prefecture Apostolic of the Marshall Islands

Assumption, Uliga, Majuro

P.O. Box 8 Majuro MH 96960

Marshall Islands

The Diocesan / Prefecture Pastoral Council

A. Purpose of Diocesan / Prefecture Pastoral Council (Commission) 

The pastoral council exists to investigate, consider and propose practical suggestions and conclusions about those things which pertain to pastoral works in the diocese/prefecture  The diocesan / prefecture pastoral council (commission)  is envisioned and recommended in the following documents,

1. Vatican II  “Christus Dominus” ( “Decree on the Pastoral Office of Bishops”)  No. 27 of this decree states:  “It is greatly desired that in each diocese / prefecture a pastoral commission  will be established over which the diocesan bishop / prefect  himself will preside and in which clergy, religious and lay people will participate. The duty of this commission will be to investigate and weigh pastoral undertakings and to formulate practical conclusions regarding them. (Vat. II, Decree concerning the Pastoral Office Bishops in the Church or "Christus Dominus." 1965)

2. The “Code of Canon Law” (CIC, 1983) No. 511 states: “In each diocese / prefecture in so far as pastoral circumstances suggest, a pastoral council is to be established. Its function, under the authority of the Bishop/Prefect is to study and weigh those matters which concern the pastoral works in the diocese/prefecture and to propose practical conclusions concerning them.”  Thus, it is accurate to identify the work of the pastoral council as “pastoral planning.”

The pastoral issues to be investigated and considered by the pastoral council may come from a variety of sources. The pastoral council, under the leadership of the bishop / prefect        investigates, considers, and proposes practical conclusions about those things which pertain to pastoral works.

Its membership includes clergy, members of institutes of consecrated life  and especially lay persons. Since the majority of the faithful of the diocese / prefecture  are lay persons, it is reasonable that the majority of the members of the diocesan / prefecture pastoral council are lay. The bishop / prefect determines how the members are designated. They should represent the diversity of the diocese / prefecture.

B. Manner of Operation

The pastoral council operates in a consultative manner. It means, the pastoral council performs its function in a consultative (decision-recommending) manner, not in a deliberative (decision-implementing) manner. It offers recommendations, but does not have the power or the role to execute them.

The pastoral council is a consultative body which plans. It is a planning council which operates in a consultative manner.  It is only reasonable to expect that the bishop / prefect will sometimes approach the pastoral council for advice on matters of pastoral concern, to get a sense of the diocese / prefecture. This is a perfectly legitimate activity, and can result in much pastoral good within the Church.

The support of the bishop / prefect is essential for the success of the pastoral council, whether he proposes questions for the council to study or receives questions from it. Indeed, the council exists to give practical conclusions on pastoral matters to the bishop / prefect.  He designates its members, convokes it, makes public its activities, and receives its conclusions.

C. Practical Considerations

1. Composition of the Prefecture Pastoral Council: the members will be the clergy, religious sister, lay representatives of various sectors in the prefecture.                                                                                                             2. The members are appointed by the Prefect for a term of 2 years, renewable.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          3. The Pastoral Council will meet at least three (if needed, four) times a year.                                                                                                                    4. The points on the agenda related to the pastoral works in the Prefecture will be collated from the suggestions of the Prefecture Pastoral Council members.                                                                                                                                  5. The date and venue of the meeting will be indicated by the Prefect Apostolic.
 
D. Conclusion

The diocesan/prefecture pastoral council finds its origin in Vatican Council II, and in Code of Canon Law.  These documents show that the pastoral council exists to investigate, consider, and propose practical conclusions about those things which pertain to pastoral works in the diocese / prefecture. This may be called pastoral planning. While planning is common to so many groups and individuals in the Church, the pastoral council is the body which exists solely to do pastoral planning. It performs its important function in a consultative  manner.

The pastoral council is composed in such a way as to represent the diversity of the diocese/prefecture.  When the pastoral council performs its role effectively and appropriately, much will be done to further ecclesial communio.

The pastoral council will assist the program for the Church in every age, found in the Gospel and the Church"s living Tradition, to be enfleshed in the pastoral plan of each particular Church.

Fr. Raymundo T. Sabio, MSC                                                                                          Prefect Apostolic                                                                                                                   July 25, 2013                                                                                                                     Feast of St. James the Apostle

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Prefecture Apostolic of the Marshall Islands                                                                      P.O.Box 8  Majuro MH 96960                                                                                        Marshall Islands

PREFECTURE PASTORAL COUNCIL

Last Monday, July 29 at 12:00 noon at DAR,  the first meeting of the Prefecture Pastoral Council took place. Present were: Fr. Ray Sabio, msc; Deacon  Alfred Capelle;  Donald Capelle; Veronica Kiluwe; Sr. Kantarawa Yee-On, fdnsc; Ted Stepp;  Miriam Balico; Luke Roverove.  Invited but unable to come were: Marie Maddison and Tone Herkinos

The meeting started with a prayer led by Deacon Alfred Capelle.  Afterwards, the participants, one at a time, introduced themselves to the group.  A word of warm welcome was given by the Prefect Apostolic.

Then followed a period which was given to the reading of the statement of the purpose of the Prefecture Pastoral Council and to subsequent clarifications, in the light of the two Catholic church documents:

1. Vatican II  “Christus Dominus” ( “Decree on the Pastoral Office of Bishops”)  No. 27 of this decree states:  “It is greatly desired that in each diocese / prefecture a pastoral commission  (council) will be established over which the diocesan bishop / prefect  himself will preside and in which clergy, religious and lay people will participate. The duty of this commission will be to investigate and weigh pastoral undertakings and to formulate practical conclusions regarding them. (Vat. II, Decree concerning the Pastoral Office Bishops in the Church or "Christus Dominus." 1965)

2. The “Code of Canon Law” (CIC, 1983) No. 511 states: “In each diocese / prefecture in so far as pastoral circumstances suggest, a pastoral council is to be established. Its function, under the authority of the Bishop/Prefect is to study and weigh those matters which concern the pastoral works in the diocese/prefecture and to propose practical conclusions concerning them.”  Thus, it is accurate to identify the work of the pastoral council as “pastoral planning.”

Then a sharing followed on points or issues of importance to the prefecture. First is the issue of  integration of the various ethnic and language groups in the prefecture (Fijians, Kiribati, Filipinos, Americans and other nationalities)  in order to enhance the pastoral and liturgical activities. There is some kind of a distance between the 6:30 PM Saturday Mass (in English) participants and the Sunday Mass (in Marshallese) participants.

Finally, after a good period of discussion,  all agreed that in an effort to better integrate the worshipping community, special masses involving all sectors of the community (ethnic/national groups, language, speaking and musical talent) should be planned approximately four times a year, e.g., Feast of the Assumption (August 15), Feast of Christ the King  (end of the liturgical year), Christmas, and Easter.

 The group participants think  that  the upcoming  “Feast of the Assumption”  would be a good time to make an effort in this regard.  Various members of the group were asked to contact liturgically active members of their communities. 

-1.  The couincil recommends that the Mass for the Feast of the Assumption will be celebrated at 6:30 PM in order to enable  those working to be present and participate  at the Holy Mass.  Aug. 15 is a working day.                                                                                                                  -2. A suggestion came up on the possibility of  two choirs at Mass.  The Assumption Choir will give 3 Marshallese Mass songs;  and the 6:30 PM Saturday choir will give 2 English songs.  In this way, the Saturday and the Sunday groups could come together in the great celebration of the parish feast of the Assumption of our Blessed Mother Mary.                       -3. At the party that follows the evening Mass,  each ethnic group will be requested to give one or two numbers  during the parish program.                                                                      -4. Other topics discussed were:                                                                                           a)Prefecture Pastoral Assembly (with representation from all parishes and chapels) in summer 2014.  There might be a need for a facilitator.                                                          b) Diaconate Program to be explored and resumed if possible . . .                                         c) Try to put up a Prefecture Pastoral Council Newsletter (suggested: 4 times a year) to be edited by Ted Stepp.                                                                                                                   d. The issue of homelessness on Majuro, and  the needs of the poor, particularly children in the urban area (Uliga and neighboring areas)                                                                                 e. A suggestion was made on the need for training and rehearsals of liturgy participants (readers, commentators)  to improve their contributions towards a meaningful liturgy.  This also includes the proper and effective use of microphones.

(Fr.) Ray Sabio, msc

                                                                                                                                                                               

. Retreat and Workshop for the Parish and Prayer Leaders of the Prefecture Apostolic.

Retreat and Workshop for the Parish and Prayer Leaders of the Prefecture Apostolic.  Theme: New Evangelization in the Year of Faith.

This activity is considered the most important yearly event in the Prefecture Apostolic of the Marshall Islands.  Indeed, we are very grateful to Deacon David and Arceli Suley for helping us as Resource Leaders.  They have moved our heart, mind and spirit as they challenged, motivated and inspired us to be resourceful and creative evangelizers in this year of faith. They have taught us to appreciate and love our life stories. These are the important and precious fooprints of God in our journey of gaith. They introduced us to the beautiful "lectio divina" in order to enrich our lives spiritually by reminding us that there is POWER in the word of God.  They also introduced the exercise of prayer basket.  Every participant is requested to write on a small piece of paper a prayer request and then, this is placed on a basket.  When all have submitted, every one is requested tp pick-up a prayer request and offer a prayer during the day for this intention of someone else.  Then before the Holy Mass in the evening,  these prayer requests are collected to form part of the offering to the altar.

Through various exercises, they centered our retreat and workshop on the great significance of a CUP. Our life or personhood is like a cup. It contains many things, both good and bad elements. We need to know the things that cause and lead us to sinful ways; to worries and pain, to anxiety and heartaches, and to anger and envy. We were taught and encouraged to empty these spiritual garbage from our cup in order for our loving God to fill our cup of life to the fullest with his grace of loving kindness and inexhaustible compassion. And today, we earnestly beseech the Holy Spirit to come down on our prayer leaders and empower them with the fire of his love. As Scripture says: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."  (Acts 1:8).

Blessing and Dedication of the Catholic Church of St. Francis Xavier in Laura, Majuro

At the crossroad leading to Laura Beach and the Ball Park stands the new and beautiful Catholic Church dedicated to St. Francis Xavier. The Holy Mass, blessing and dedication took place last June 23, 2013 at 3:00 P.M. Very many visitors graced the occasion. Among them were his Excellency President Christopher J. Loeak and First Lady Lieom Anono Loeak; Parliament Speaker Donald Capelle and Mrs. Rosita Capelle; Former President Kessai Note and Mrs. Mary Note; several ministers and senators and their ladies; various organization officers and members; Catholic parish and prayer leaders from Jaluit, Likiep, Arno, Kwajalein, Ailinglaplap (Bouj & Woja), Wotje, Namdrik, Majuro and many more.

The Holy Mass and the church blessing were presided by the Prefect Apostolic Fr. Ray T. Sabio, MSC and concelebrated by the MSC priests: Fr. Tito Maratas, Fr. Ariel Galido, Fr. Yoseph Rettob and Fr. Tetoaiti Tokanikai. Rev. Deacon David Suley assisted the church ceremonies. Deacon David and Mrs. Arceli Suley came from Washinton D.C. They are the resource leaders for the retreat and workshop for the parish and prayer leaders which commenced last June 19 and will end on June 30, 2013 at Ajeltake Catholic Pastoral Center.

It is good to note that this church is dedicated to a great missionary priest of the Society  of Jesus, St. Francis Xavier. As a missionary, he tirelessly proclaimed the faith in India, Indonesia (very probably also in Mindanao) and Japan. He wanted to go to China but sickness prevented him and he died in the island of Sancian near the coast of mainland China. St. Francis Xavier is considered the greatest missionary since the time of the Apostles because of his extensive missionary travels and work. Hopefully, under the patronage of St. Francis Xavier may young men and women respond to the call of the Lord to serve him in priesthood, in brotherhood, sisterhood, deaconate and prayer leadership.
 

The Catholic community of Laura wholeheartedly thanked all those who helped in the construction of the church; and likewise sincerely thank all those who took time to be present in the blessing ceremony and Holy Mass.

Sunday School Teachers and Catechists: Retreat and Workshop: June 5 - 16, 2013

For this year,  Miss Noena Surmieda was the facilitator and directress of the retreat and workshop of the Sunday School Teachers and Catechists in the Prefecture Apostolic of the Marshall Islands. This important activity of the Prefecture Apostolic was held at the Ajeltake Catholic Pastoral Center in Majuro There were 51 parcipants coming from various atolls such as Jaluit, Likiep, Arno, Kwajalein, Ailinglaplap (Woja & Bouj), Wotje and Majuro.

The theme of the Retreat/Workshop is:  The Challenge of the Year of Faith.  It was Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who decreed through the Apostolic Letter: PORTA FIDEI that the Year of Faith will take place from October 11, 2012 ~ Nov. 24, 2013.

Miss Noena Surmieda pointed out that this year of faith is a special time of grace and renewed commitment.  It is also a time to review and reflect on the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church.  And for the Sunday School Teachers and Catechists, it is a time to study once again the Catholic Catechism.  Consequently, this will bring about the deepening and strengthening of the personal faith of the catechists as well as enthusiasm and zeal to proclaim the gospel message of salvation with deep conviction and with much joy.

 

There were a lot of practical pointers as well as interesting  exercises done during the workshops that sharpened the skills of catechists in the actual handling of the Sunday School for young people ranging from grade 1 to grade 12. Role-playing was also incorporated in the workshops. Indeed, the catechists found these exercises very beneficial and confidence-enhancing

The blessing and commissioning of the catechists took place during the 9:30 AM Sunday Mass (June 16, 2013) at the Our Rady of Assumption Cathedral in Majuro, Marshall Isalnds.  Before the final blessing, the Prefect Apostolic Ray T. Sabio, MSC called on Miss Noena Surmieda to give a brief message to the catechists and to the Holy Mass participants.  She expressed her very deep gratitude to having received a very warm welcome from the Catholics of the Marshall Islands.  She encouraged the catechists to be strong and firm in their Catholic Faith and to share this wholeheartedly and generously in the very many years to come. 

Marshallese offer a grand welcome to American catechists

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Dennis Sadowski

David Suley, wearing a lei, with his new Marshallese friends. (CNS/Courtesy of Arceli and David Suley)

The Catholic Church in the tiny nation of the Marshall Islands is healthy even if somewhat small, said David Suley, the recently retired director of the Catholic Home Missionsof the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Suley, along with his wife, Arceli, conducted a 10-day workshop on faith formation for about 75 lay leaders in June. The Suleys focused much of their training on the new evangelization first put forth by Blessed John Paul II and now Pope Benedict XVI. Suley said they also offered a series of reflections on church teaching.
The couple found the Marshallese to be enthusiastic about doing God’s work in missions spread across five islands and 29 atolls about halfway between Hawaii and Australia.
“A few priests and laypeople run these missions,” Suley said.
Only about 8 percent of the 68,400 Marshallese are Catholic.
On some of the outlying atolls and islands, there may be perhaps 300 to 500 people with an even smaller number of Catholics among them. Priests visit the outlying communities only occasionally, leaving lay leaders to minister to the Catholics who reside there, Suley said.
The Suleys found the island nation, with a total land area of about 70 square miles spread over 750,000 square miles, to be extremely poor. People make their living from fishing and producing crafts for the tourists who visit, Suley said.
Majuro, the capital and a city of about 25,000 people, has few amenities. Barely above sea level, Majuro Atoll is just a few blocks wide even though it is about 25 miles long. “The closest atoll is three hours away by boat,” Suley said.
The people, Suley said, were gracious and celebrated the presence of the Americans each evening with good food and fellowship. On the final night, the Marshallese threw their American guests a four-hour party.
“They made us gifts, handmade crafts,” he said
“They rarely have visitors like ourselves,” Suley added. “But as one priest said, ‘We’re not just a dot in the Pacific Ocean.’”
Source:   http://cnsblog.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/marshallese-offer-a-grand-welcome-to-american-catechists/
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 (Note by Fr. Ray Sabio, MSC): We invited Dr. David and Arceli Suley to be our Resource Leaders. They directed and facilitated the retreat and workshop for the Parish and Prayer Leaders of the Prefecture Apostolic of the Marshall Islands. These exercises took place in our beautifully located Ajeltake Catholic Pastoral Center, June 15 - 24, 2012.

The Prefecture Apostolic holds a yearly retreat and workshop for its leaders in order to update them in their apostolic ministry of proclaiming the salvific gospel message of love and of conversion. For this year 2012, we have chosen the theme: "The New Evangelization: Challenges and Responses to Local Church." The participants came from Ailinglaplap, Arno, Wotje, Likiep, Jaluit, Kwajalein and Majuro. The resource leaders and the participants were very pleased that that there was a deep, meaningful and fruitful interaction between them. David and Arceli used a lot of visual aids and instruments to enhance the fascination and consequently the participatoin of the members.

On June 24, a solemn Sunday Mass capped the retreat and workshop with the commissioning of the prayer leaders. All the participants expressed their immense joy and thanksgiving to David and Arceli for having given them so much information, inspiration and motivation to carry on the mission of new evangelization.

2013 IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES

2013 IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES

1) June 5 - 16, 2013 Retreat/Workshop of Sunday School Teachers & Catechists. Theme: "The Challenges of the Year of Faith." Facilitator& Resource Person: Ms. Noena Surmieda (recommended by Dr. Nati Pagadut). Venue: Ajeltake Catholic Pastoral Center.

2) June 19 -30, 2013 Retreat/Workshop of Parish & Prayer Leaders. Theme: "New Evangelization in the Year of Faith." Resource Leaders: Deacon David and Arceli Suley.  Venue:  Ajeltake Catholic Pastoral Center.

3) Deacon David Suley requests the Parish and Prayer Leaders to bring along the following things:
-----a) white folders given by Deacon David and Arceli Suley last year (very important)

-----b) your favorite cup (you use for drinking). This will be used during the retreat and workshop.

4) To all participants: Parish Leaders, Prayer Leaders, Sunday School Teachers and Catechists:

---a) Please bring along the following: Bible; Jar im Al (brown book); Rosary; Beddings and blanket.

---b) Only Adults will be admitted to the Retreats & Workshops.

---c) No children will be allowed in the Ajeltake Catholic Pastoral Center.

---d) Those with sickness like diabetes, take with you your medicines and your special food.

---e) Please bring with you enough cell cards for your cell phone.

5) July 1 - 3, 2013 Meeting of Priests, Deacon, Sisters of the Prefecture Apostolic of the Marshall Islands.