LAIKO urges our fellow Catholics not to neglect our Parish and its activities during the pandemic and quarantine. We have witnessed that even without the regular collections, the Church has been at the forefront of helping those in need, Catholics or non-Catholics.
We are aware that for eight weeks, there has been no Holy Mass celebration in our Parishes, in line with the Government’s guidelines on Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). As a result, collections and various offerings to our churches have also stopped. As members of the Church, we know that all the services and duties of our Parishes and Dioceses require our continued contributions. Therefore, we must not forget and neglect this important and fundamental duty.
Like the first Christians who gladly and promptly responded to all the needs of fellow Christians, should we not remember our duty to love and care for our Church? Like the early Christians, let us be willing to support our neighbors, especially those in the peripheries who only depend on the generosity of fellow believers.
We call on all servant leaders of the Diocesan Councils of the Laity, National Lay Organizations and Parish Pastoral Councils, to help promote Parish programs for those in need during this pandemic.
Kindly ask permission from your Bishops and Parish Priests to announce or post this message. Let us call on our constituents, supporters and parishioners for their assistance. Let us remind them to make regular offerings and contributions (Monthly Church Support). Assigned lay people to instruct and remind parishioners on how to send money through banks, money delivery, Cebuana, GCASH among others.
Let’s not neglect our Church!
With sincere gratitude,
President
Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas
14 May 2020
