Pili Parish celebrates SKK Day

By Engr. Merly Jean B. Plaza

The Parish of Saint Raphael the Archangel, Pili, Camarines Sur celebrated SKK Day on the solemnity of the Holy Trinity on May 26. SKK which stands for Saradit na Kristyanong Komunidad, or basic ecclesial communities, is a pastoral thrust of the Archdiocese of Caceres.

Thirty-five SKK Leaders from 12 barangays, 3 of the 10 sitios as well as representatives of the SKK Youth attended the 6:30 AM Sunday Mass, had breakfast and held a short program.

The activity aimed to rekindle the fire to attend the weekly prayer meeting and to listen to the SKKs, particularly their current status, as well as the joys and challenges they encounter. The SKK Core Group initiated the event.

According to Margarita Selleza, Sitio Pastoral Council President and SKK Leader of Sitio Almasin, she was happy to be with other lay leaders during the SKK Day. “Na-inspire na naman kami na magpadagos na magpatalubo asin mai-share an samong namamatian habang nagpapamibi asin nag-uugma. (We were once again inspired to continue to promote (SKK) and share our feelings while we are praying and celebrating.)”

In his homily and during the program, Parish Priest Fr. Wilmer Joseph S. Tria explained the meaning of perichoresis, the term used by Church Fathers to describe the Holy Trinity. Peri means circle, surround, while choresis means to dance and sing together. He said “perimeter,” “choir,” and “choreography” are English terms derived from perichoresis.

“The Holy Trinity is a model for families, for parishes, for societies. When we collaborate and cooperate, it is like singing and dancing together in harmony – perichoresis,” he added.

Fr. Tria urged the SKKs to be effective instruments of evangelization and to serve the parish in synodality with fellow parishioners. He reminded them to regularly meet and pray together, and to keep track of the parish pastoral plan. He also promised to visit SKKs according to the schedule they identified during the planning session.

The SKK Prayer was recited during the Mass.

Aside from the fellowship, the SKK Day made it possible for the SKK Core Group to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the SKKs through the workshop conducted within the program.

The body agreed to hold an annual SKK Day on the solemnity of the Holy Trinity, to convene a monthly meeting of SKK Leaders every 2nd Saturday of the month and in connection with the Year of Prayer, the Taize Prayer will be held in the different sitios and barangay. The SKK Leaders promised to lead in organizing devotional activities such as novenary masses and prayers.

The SKK Directory and the schedules of weekly prayer meetings at the barangays and sitios were also updated.

For Adrian Bulalacao, Assistant Parish SKK Coordinator, celebrating the Parish SKK Day for the first time on the solemnity of the Holy Trinity made the day more meaningful. “It was overwhelming to hear success stories, challenges and opportunities to improve the SKKs,” he said.

SKK Day at SRAP. Parish Priest Fr. Wilmer Joseph S. Tria with the Parish SKK Core Group and representatives of SKKs from the barangays and sitios of the parish, after the misa pro populo on the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity. (photo credit: St Raphael the Archangel Parish).