Bay District Lay Ministers Gather for Archdiocesan Summer Liturgical Program

By Jonnah C. Abellano

Strengthening the spirit of service within the local church, 897 lay liturgical ministers from the Bay District gathered at the Magarao Convention Center on Saturday, May 2, 2026, for the Summer Liturgical Program. 

The Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission organized the event, which drew a significant turnout of 472 Lectors, 180 Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC), 135 Collectors, and 110 members of the Mother Butler Guild (MBG). This gathering served as a vital platform for formation, bringing together a diverse group of church servants committed to enhancing their roles in the liturgy.

Rev. Fr. Xavier R. Amoroso, Formator and Director of the Archdiocesan Commission on Liturgical Music, delivered the morning's keynote address, titled "Leitourgia: Full, Active, and Conscious Participation". Fr. Amoroso challenged ministers to move beyond empty routine, emphasizing that liturgical service serves as a model of prayer for the faithful rather than a mere performance. He reminded the participants that engaged ministers lead to an engaged assembly and introduced the "Arrive, Pray, Handle, and Ask" framework to guide their service. This practical approach encourages servers to arrive early, pray beforehand, handle sacred objects with deep reverence, and ask the Lord to use them as humble instruments.

Fr. Amoroso further detailed specific ways each ministry can foster a more meaningful encounter with the Divine. He urged Lectors to practice deeply so they may truly proclaim the Word rather than simply read it, and he advised Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to utilize eye contact to facilitate a personal encounter during the distribution of the Eucharist. By knowing why they perform each gesture, whether it be bowing, singing, or maintaining silence, ministers transform the liturgy into a conscious act of worship instead of a repetitive habit.

In a Director’s Note shared during the program, Rev. Fr. Glenn C. Ruiz, Archdiocesan Worship Director, highlighted the impressive scale of lay involvement across the entire Archdiocese of Caceres. He reported a staggering total of 8,535 active servers, which includes 2,709 Lectors, 2,614 Sacristans, 1,368 Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, 1,362 Collectors, and 482 Mother Butler Guild members. This data underscores the growing dedication of the laity within the archdiocese.

The formation program culminated in a solemn Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Most Rev. Rex Andrew C. Alarcon, D.D., Archbishop of Caceres. In his homily, the Archbishop expressed deep gratitude for the dedication of the lay ministers, reminding them that worship is not a performance but a shared participation where "no one is just a spectator." He emphasized that true service should transform the minister, stating that "service should transform us: less anger, less envy, more love." Addressing those feeling the weight of their duties, he encouraged a return to the source of their vocation, noting that "when you feel lost, return to Jesus, the wellspring of grace." 

By reflecting on the meaning behind every liturgical gesture and maintaining a strong interior life, the ministers of the Bay District left the convention center inspired to lead the "Work of the People" with renewed hearts and intentionality.