Digital Missionaries: SBAP Welcomes New Parish Communications Guild Members

Ms. Roem Ane Jacob Dacian

Four young parishioners were formally installed as new members of the Parish Communications Guild (PCG) at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Parish in Baao, Camarines Sur on Sunday, July 13, 2025. The ceremony was presided over by Rev. Fr. Isidro Danilo Dizon, affirming the church’s commitment to digital evangelization in modern times.

During the 5:30 PM Sunday Mass, the four new members— Krislyn Mae D. Badiola, Iris Dominique Q. Montenegro, Francheska Illisac V. Casili, and Charlize Anica B. Fenix— stood before the altar and received a special blessing, symbolizing the beginning of their commitment to serve as digital missionaries. Parishioners showed joy and hope, welcoming the youth as the modern evangelizers in the digital era.

In this time of the Digital Age, the church recognizes the need to use digital technologies as a tool for communication and evangelization. Thus, prompting the parish of St. Bartholomew the Apostle to form its Parish Communications Guild (PCG).

Mr. John Wally T. Doroin, the team leader, shared how the established PCG today started with two young men and only using their cellular phones in the live streaming the mass. It was during the pandemic when the demand for access to Eucharistic celebrations prompted the former Parish Priest of SBAP and Director of the Caceres Commission on Communications, now the bishop of Virac, Bishop Luisito A. Occiano to build up the team and establish a social communications ministry in the parish.

“The PCG is the eyes, ears, and feet of the people,” Doroin stated. This metaphor explains how the PCG helps in bringing access to parish activities, virtually, especially to those who live far from the church or with physical health limitations.

When asked on how the team serves as a tool in evangelization, Doroin emphasized that they are not just a “tool” but missionaries. He indicated that what they are doing is an act of mission in spreading the Good News to people, just like how St. Peter Baptist spread Christianity in several places before his death in Nagasaki. They bring people from distant places, especially the Baaoeños abroad, closer to the church and parish activities, but most importantly, the Gospel.

The PCG does not limit its ability to the parish itself. As stated by Doroin, they extend their service by holding seminar-workshops to some other communications ministry from other parishes who aim to establish their own, as well. Just recently, Doroin and teammates held a seminar-workshop in one of the parishes in Iriga City.

“I believe that this will be necessary from now on and into the future, as it has already become the new normal,” Doroin said.

Meanwhile, an interview with Krislyn Mae Badiola, one of the four newly installed members of the PCG, highlighted the feeling of being “blessed” towards the ministry.

“Aside from my cousin who kept on inviting me, it is really my interest and passion for technology and communication that pushed me” Badiola responded when asked about what inspired her to volunteer.

She believes that she is not yet at her fullest in terms of skills but is willing to learn, develop more, and be anchored to the ministry. These are sentiments commonly shared by other members, as well. “When you love something, especially your passion, you’re willing to learn more and sacrifice,” Badiola emphasized.

At the moment the PCG has fifteen (15) volunteers, mostly youth, who are behind every live coverage of parish activities. The ministry is continuously encouraging others, especially the youth, to be volunteers and share the same mission.

In line with the Gospel centered on the Parable of the Good Samaritan, the people are taught to extend love and compassion to everyone. Similarly, the PCG extends information and evangelization to everyone using digital technologies of today as part of their mission. Like the Good Samaritan, the PCG reaches out - not with oil and wine, but through the power of digital media - to bring healing and connection in today’s world.

Photos: James Rod Badiola

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