2022
The Cebu Archdiocesan Digital Communications Ministry Celebrated its First Anniversary
It was on February 2, 2021 that the Cebu Archdiocesan Digital Communications Program was launched with Rev. Fr. Jonathan Rubin as the Director. Few months later, on July 3, 2021, a Eucharistic celebration was held and was presided over by the Archbishop of Cebu, Most Rev. Jose S. Palma to officially welcome the 19 members of the group. On the same day, the group’s former name was changed into Cebu Archdiocesan Digital Communications Ministry (CADComM) and Rev. Fr. Vhen Jesus Fernandez was named as its Asst. Director. In his homily, Archbishop Palma said that digital communication handled by the new Ministry is a blessing to the Archdiocese as it can be used as a means to connect with the Catholic community.
Since then, the ministry has remained true to its mission. With its growing presence in the digital space through its various platforms, the Ministry has become a channel in making God’s Word available to everyone and a bridge that connects communities of faith in the Archdiocese of Cebu.
One year later, on February 3, 2022, the Cebu Archdiocesan Digital Communications Ministry celebrated a new milestone. Not only has it overcome its infancy struggles but that it has truly created a space for dialogue between innovation and integration, between media and the faith. On its first anniversary, the Most Rev. Jose Palma challenged the members during the mass to always remain true to who they are. He reiterated that the essence of Communication in the Christian context is to be always truthful not just by mere words but by the way life is lived before others and before God.
Remaining true to its identity, the Cebu Archdiocesan Digital Communications Ministry strengthens its commitment to deliver its mission by launching a new and improved website of the Archdiocese in the presence of the Archbishop of Cebu, Monsignori and priests from the Archdiocesan Curia and Archdiocesan Commission on Social Communications. The new website offers a dynamic design that aims to streamline Archdiocesan information, updates, and activities, and to create platform that would allow its visitors to engage in faith dialogue through its prayer companionship and direct social media linkages.
The increased presence of the Archdiocese of Cebu in digital media assures its faithful of one thing, whoever they are and wherever they may be, the Church is ready to listen to her people and is willing to journey with them, to be in communion with them.
2022
The Wrath of Odette and Faith in Action
December 16, 2021, Thursday, Super Typhoon Odette made its landfall in some parts of the Visayas including Cebu and left a vast damage to the lives of many people. Morning after the onslaught of the typhoon— with no electricity and limited water supply, razed houses and properties, wrecked roads and livelihoods— many people were left devastated and homeless. Paying heed to the immediate needs of the affected, Cebu Caritas, the social action arm of the Archdiocese of Cebu led by Rev. Fr. Alex Cola immediately appealed for donations and support to help the people especially those in the southern part of Cebu who had massively incurred damages. Rapid Assessment of the affected areas and multiple meetings and planning were done by NASSA/ Caritas Philippines with Cebu Caritas to plan and carry out the relief distribution to the parishes of Cebu. Cebu Caritas through its Archbishop Teofilo Camomot Buhat sa Kalooy (Emergency Response and Relief Operations) then began distributing foods packs and Bags of Love to the severely affected parishes in Southern Cebu. These parishes are the following: 1.) Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish (Talaga, Argao) 2.) St. Michael the Archangel Parish ( Argao) 3.) Our Lady of the Pillar Parish (Sibonga) 4.) Our Lady of Lourdes Parish (Ocaña, Carcar) 5.) Archdiocesan Shrine of Alexander Alexandria (Carcar). As Cebu continues to rise and move forward from the damages caused by the super typhoon, Cebu Caritas Inc. also continues to distribute their bags of love to other parishes and barangays who were greatly affected by Odette. At present, 72 parishes have received food reliefs. This will not be made possible without the sponsors and volunteers who tirelessly lenttheir time and resources. In the times of calamity, we are given the opportunity to show compassion and live out being truly “gifted to give”. May our love for mankind be embodied in faith and in action as we stand together from the challenges we face as one Sugboanong Simbahan.
