O.Carm Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) developed within the changing socio- historical context of the country. In 1957, the Carmelites started their mission of Building Basic Christian Communities in the towns of Escalante and Toboso in the northern island of Negros Occidental. They witnessed the widespread poverty and exploitation of the sakadas (sugar workers) and the fisher folk. In the beginning, the Carmelites brought with them the missionary zeal of spreading the good news, the so called glad tidings. The intention of bringing the good news was slowly challenged by the context of the situation. These problems shaped the Building Basic Christian Communities strategies into active pastoral apostolate. Through the process of conscientization, they gradually developed strong bias for the poor, oppressed, deprived and exploited. They got involved in analyzing the micro and macro situations (social analysis) and in strengthening and organizing the unions (peasants and labor sectors).
In 1963, the Carmelites accepted the parish mission in San Francisco in the Province of Agusan in Mindanao. They expanded their mission in Iligan, being involved in urban workers apostolate. From there, the Carmelites were also involved in youth and workers issues. Alongside the growing demand for apostolate work, they established cooperatives and different desks of social concerns in the parish. It was during this period that many Carmelites took special courses in cooperative management, labor education and farmer organization. The Sisters of Julie Postel were invited from Holland to come to the Philippines. They contributed a lot in pastoral work, especially in opening the Magdalene Hospital to take care of the poor in Escalante, Negros Occidental.
Seeing the need to reinforce the pastoral work and social apostolate with evangelization, the Carmelites nurtured the field of education.
Through the schools, we can contribute to the formation and valuing of a responsible and mature Christian life, one that is responsive to the needs of out time and our society, in line with the option for the poor( Philippine Carmel Statutes Chap. V par. 1 )”. The Mount Carmel College was the first of the two schools that were set-up under the supervision of the Carmelites.
Going further, the building of Basic Christian Community-Community Organizing (BCC-CO) or Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK) became the parish pastoral strategy in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Various training seminars were offered, which equipped the church volunteers and lay people the needed skills in community organizining and community empowerment processes. The framework by which they were trained is that of building and strengthening their capacities at the grass root level. They also accompanied the people in responding to the real problems of the communities. After a series of seminars, BCC workers were set out to the barrios and urban poor to conduct organizing work and be involved in community based health programs (CBHP).
These pastoral activities continued through the years, until new challenges came in, when the country was placed under Martial Law by then President Ferdinand Marcos. During this period, extreme poverty had worsened and the masses suffered from all sort of harassment and human rights violations. Outraged by the situation, there were religious priests and sisters who took a prophetic stand and confronted the prevailing oppression in the context of being faithful to the Gospel. The Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP) created a number of Task Forces to help the people cope with the condition. The Carmelites had joined the different Task Forces like Task Force Detainees in the Philippines (TFD), Task Force on Urban Conscientization (TFUC), Rural Missionaries in the Philippines (RMP), Task Force of Tribal Filipinos, and the Church Labor Center.
they laid down their lives in the name of service to the people.
• In 1973, Fr. Engelbert van Vilsteren, assistant parish priest in San Francisco, Agusan de Sur was murdered by members of a fanatical sect. He resisted the holding of a plebiscite for the approval of the Marcos constitution.
• Another Carmelite, Isagani Valle who was then a student friar, was summarily executed while he was on an exposure trip in one of the barrios of his home province Agusan. Valle, who was active in justice and peace, was then working on a relevant formation manual. He was killed even before he could finish the manual on relevant formation.
On September 20, 1985 in the parish of Escalante, a group of students and teachers from the Mount Carmel College joined a mixed group of sakadas (sugar workers) and fishermen in a protest action against unjust wages and neglect of the government in delivering basic services. The police violently dispersed the protesters by firing upon them. The tragic event known as Escalante Massacre , left 20 people dead Our current Commissary General Fr Tim Jusayan, who was then a student friar, survived the carnage. The Carmelite convent, schools and parishes became the sanctuary as persecution and illegal arrest persisted in the aftermath of the massacre.
Amongst those who have gone ahead whose exemplary work is always remembered are Fr. Simon Westendorp, parish priest of San Francisco, and Sr. Nanette Berendsen. In 1983 on their way to an important conference in Cebu they were one among those who perished in a sea tragedy. We consider them as heroes of our faith.
Martial law has left the Carmelites with no other choice but to commit themselves to the struggle for nationalism and democracy. They offered and sacrificed their lives for the cause that truly counts. The Carmelites’ commitment to justice, peace and integrity of creation was formed and nurtured under difficult and trying situations. Enhanced and inspired by our Carmelite spirituality and impelled by the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ the tradition of promoting justice and peace continued.
In 2000, during the Chapter meeting , the Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation was integrated in all ministries of the Commissariat. A number of activities focusing on skills training and advocacy on some issues were implemented. At the same time, JPIC centers, headed by a convenor, were set-up to facilitate a venue in expressing social commitments and political choices, further deepening the understanding of JPIC issues and perspectives. In the different centers, convenors were assigned. Regular meetings are done to keep track of the development of the JPIC activities and to discuss emerging issues in the areas. Our students in the theologate as well as in the College, Postulancy and even in the Novitiate undergo exposures and immersions to selected areas in rural and urban centers. They are encouraged to actively attend various forum on justice and peace issues, inter-faith gatherings and public demonstrations with the different sectors in our country. We believe that by doing so, a strong sense of being one among the peasants, sugar workers, fisher folks, and urban poor and Indigenous people is nourished .
At present, the current regime wreaks havoc to the already suffering people. While the people are getting hungrier each day, the exploitation and oppression become more systematic and ruthless. The intimidation and persecution are not only directed to activists
. Bishop Alberto Ramento of Iglesia Filipina Indipendiente, Fr. William Tadena, Rev. Edison Lapus, Pepe Manegdeg of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines and many others were extra-judicially killed. Others were victims of enforced disappearances like Nilo Arado, a former Carmelite seminarian and Jonas Burgos, son of Edita Burgos, member of Lay Discalced Carmelites. The military also raided the convents of contemplative nuns of the Good Shepherd Sisters and the Missionary Sisters of Mary and the San Lorenzo Ruiz Pastoral Center in Butuan City.
In the face of these difficult times, many progressive church people, and the ecumenical community including Carmelites are not cowed. They have not wavered in their commitment. Rather, they take it as an opportunity to bring out the Elijah tradition in us.
The video documentary produced by the lenses of our camera present the truth about the sufferings and hopes of the people.
Like a double-edged sword, our writings evoke sharp reflections, in our tit for tat action (writing letters to the editors) and on the pages of our publication, the “Gentle Breeze”.
The cry of the poor gave emotions to every detail in our power point presentations and life to our songs, during discussion sessions concerning the national situation. Though the office was so small and operating on a meager budget, it served as a resource center for student friars.
Our partnership with the Ecumenical Churches and Interfaith Network for Justice and Peace and Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines strengthened our advocacy for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation.
When the raids in the convent of contemplative nuns in Butuan City happened, we immediately
protest.
We co-sponsored a broad Human Rights gathering dubbed “Day of Mourning” at the Baclaran Shrine.
We also hosted “Stop the Killings” forum at Titus Brandsma Center.
In line with our HR Support, the JPIC was instrumental in providing Sanctuaries to victims of human rights violations and extended assistance to internally displaced refugees.
Our student friars have engaged the media in a tit for tat action, like issuing statement and writing letters to the editor of a national broadsheet on issues of political repression and chronic poverty.
Our engagement also reached global arena when Fr. Arnel participated in the international protest against imperialist globalization held in Hongkong in 2006.
Meanwhile, our partnership with the Siliman University JPIC resulted in our vigorous campaign against the drilling operation at Tañon Strait.
Also, in cooperation with Karapatan National ,a human rights group and Karapatan Caraga region, the JPIC-O.Carm participated in a Fact-Finding Mission in Agusan Del Sur. The FFM documented the alleged human rights violations inflicted by armed men on the Lumads.
rights, the JPIC was also involved in election monitoring. Last 2007 elections and in the last barangay elections, we documented election irregularities. Our data were presented in a forum sponsored by the La Salle Justice and Peace Commission.
Already recognized as a commission, the JPIC is headed by a National Convenor, in the person of Fr. Jerry Sabado. The team is composed of Fr. Christopher Exala, Fr. Bernard Roosendaal, Fr. Arnel Glodobe, Bro. Gilbert Billena, Bro. Carlito Ranoco and Melvin Koerkamp. The office operates under the following elements:
1) Education and Training and Capability Building
2) Research and Publication
3) Advocacy and Campaign
4) Sectoral Support and Solidarity
5) Resource and Mobilization
6) Volunteer Program
7) Program Management.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
JPIC Vision-Mission-Goal
Vision:
A society where genuine freedom, justice and peace for all living beings bring to defend and uphold for the struggle of the fullness of our human dignity and the integrity of God’s creation are realized.
Mission:
We the Titus Brandsma Commissariat, in the Spirit of our prophetic tradition and Carmelite charism, shall endeavor to journey with the struggling poor towards transformation. This we do by promoting the Christian praxis of defending and promoting people’s rights and integrity of God’s creation.
To have an intent searching and understanding of the causes of injustices and disquiet in our world through the eyes of the poor, through the eyes of God.
To enliven and respond to the challenge of the order’s prophetic charism in this contemporary globalizing world.
To contribute to the search of an understanding of the causes of the injustice and disquiet in our world through the eyes of the poor, through the eyes of God.
To prioritize the most relevant responses in addressing the causes of injustice and disquiet.
Goals:
To be concretely in solidarity with the “minores” as we may identify though the ongoing social analysis in our historical setting now.
To foster unity and coordination among the different ministries in our centers in promoting JPIC work.
To assist the poor in restoring faith in themselves by
promoting and renewing their awareness that God is on their side.
To immerse ourselves together with our co-workers in parish, schools and other ministries in the circumstances of the poor in order to cleanse, nourish, refresh, invigorate our spirituality and also to be able to re-read the bible to discover the real face of Jesus.
To promote regular reflections and contemplations as sustaining power of our commitment to the “minores”
To form solidarity links all who work for the vision of the well-being, fullness of life such as non-governmental organizations, people’s organization ,interfaith movements, diocesan JPIC’s and international associations of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation and other organizations and movements.
To be vigilant, expose and oppose all ill effects of globalization and participate in the search for alternatives.
To regularly share with one another in the four centers our successes, even the smallest traces of vitality, our failures and new insights.
A society where genuine freedom, justice and peace for all living beings bring to defend and uphold for the struggle of the fullness of our human dignity and the integrity of God’s creation are realized.
Mission:
We the Titus Brandsma Commissariat, in the Spirit of our prophetic tradition and Carmelite charism, shall endeavor to journey with the struggling poor towards transformation. This we do by promoting the Christian praxis of defending and promoting people’s rights and integrity of God’s creation.
To have an intent searching and understanding of the causes of injustices and disquiet in our world through the eyes of the poor, through the eyes of God.
To enliven and respond to the challenge of the order’s prophetic charism in this contemporary globalizing world.
To contribute to the search of an understanding of the causes of the injustice and disquiet in our world through the eyes of the poor, through the eyes of God.
To prioritize the most relevant responses in addressing the causes of injustice and disquiet.
Goals:
To be concretely in solidarity with the “minores” as we may identify though the ongoing social analysis in our historical setting now.
To foster unity and coordination among the different ministries in our centers in promoting JPIC work.
To assist the poor in restoring faith in themselves by
promoting and renewing their awareness that God is on their side.
To immerse ourselves together with our co-workers in parish, schools and other ministries in the circumstances of the poor in order to cleanse, nourish, refresh, invigorate our spirituality and also to be able to re-read the bible to discover the real face of Jesus.
To promote regular reflections and contemplations as sustaining power of our commitment to the “minores”
To form solidarity links all who work for the vision of the well-being, fullness of life such as non-governmental organizations, people’s organization ,interfaith movements, diocesan JPIC’s and international associations of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation and other organizations and movements.
To be vigilant, expose and oppose all ill effects of globalization and participate in the search for alternatives.
To regularly share with one another in the four centers our successes, even the smallest traces of vitality, our failures and new insights.
Working Framework
See, Judge, Dialogue of Life, Act
The program will be basically guided by the See, Judge, Dialogue of Life and Act Framework. In common Catholic Literature See, Judge, Act is used however, feedback from field experiences in various Catholic and Ecumenical Institutions made the necessary infusion of the Dialogue of Life part to ensure that judgment and call to action part will be hopefully incorporated to the life style and day to day experiences of individual Christians particularly the O.Carm-JPIC Promoters. Below is the diagram of the framework:
On the See part the participants will be facilitated to take a critical look into the Economic, Political, Socio-Cultural and Ecological situation of their locale and the country. From the See part the beneficiaries will move to Judge, the participants will then use the scriptures, social doctrine of the church, socio-theological framework, Carmelite Spirituality and Charism as principles for reflection, criteria for judgment and directive for action. But before proceeding to the Act part, the O.Carm-JPIC Promoters and other stakeholders are encouraged to experience a Dialogue of Life where beneficiaries will engage in assessing the consistency of their moral framework and their lifestyle, involved in self-criticism on their concrete expression of the gospel message at the level of the self, family, workplace and immediate community, and look into the transformative process they have undergone or have not undergone.
This part is aimed at one hand, to facilitate the personal transformation process and on the other hand, ensures the consistency and the parallelism of one’s action between personal and social transformation process by making it as a linking process towards the Act part. Once done, the O.Carm-JPIC Promoters and other stakeholders will move to the Act part, which consist of specific actions they must undertake after considering and undergoing the three aforementioned processes. The Act part must be matters that are doable and achievable in a given timeframe and should be holistic and integral in nature and approach. Meaning, it should starts from the personal sphere up to the public sphere where one operates and as much as possible involved all facets of human life. Then from the public sphere it goes back to the personal sphere, in a form of feedback and reflection then elevates to another cycle. This is understood to be a life-long process but what the program envisions is to initially allow the O.Carm-JPIC Promoters and other stakeholders to experience and appreciate the process then practice it as part of daily living as a Christian in general and as Carmelites, both religious and lay, in particular.
This framework will be incorporated to all components and activities of the project as much as possible. Even project staff are required to undergo the same process as they facilitate the implementation of the projects thus, allowing them internalize and integrate the process in their daily living.
1. Cascading Method
The cascading method ensures that most of the activities of the project are trickled down to the lowest unit of the partner sectors or communities. In this method, trainees at one level become the trainers at the next level. The pool of resource persons and council of theologians will train the promoters, program staff an
the O.Carm-JPIC volunteers, then the program staff and O.Carm-JPIC Volunteers, with the supervision of the pool of speakers and council of theologians, will handle the training of the sector/community core group members at the next level.
The sector/community core group members will then become trainers at the units, small groups and apostolate area of their sector/community. The process goes on until all the activities are cascaded to all members of the sector/community. Employing the sector/community-based method, each activity at a particular level will be tailored-fit to the needs, concerns, and existing ASK (attitude, skills, knowledge) of the target participants.
The CASCADING METHODOLOGY
On-the-Job-Training
This method directly applies to the capacity-building program but is also relevant to the other components. This entails constant conduct of tactic planning and coaching session between the pool of resource persons/council of theologians and the program staff (together with volunteers). The promoters and program staff and the JPIC team at the local center are obliged to repeat the process and the same process is replicated at particular sectors, units or clusters at the local centers. The method requires the trainer at one level to be present at the next level so during the conduct of activity the resource person can coach, on-the-job, the trainee turned trainer.
After each session and activity a critiquing session will be hold to assess the gains and opportunity for improvements for both the trainee-turned-trainer and the resource person. The critiquing session aside from the activity assessment framework will also use the See, Judge, Dialogue of Life, and Act framework or process to ensure that this framework is put to flesh in the project activities.
Area of Concerns
JUSTICE-
Blessed with human and natural resources, it is ironic that with that majority of the Filipinos remain impoverished, still mired in poverty. Based from the survey of Independent think tank, Ibon Foundation, the standard of living of Filipino has declined through the years. The rising prices of basic commodities and social services has eroded the already meager salaries of workers. The challenges we face today:
• Hunger and Poverty
• Low wages,
• Heavy taxes (Expanded Value Added Tax )
• Development Aggression
PEACE -
Amidst the worsening economic conditions suffered by the majority of the Filipino people, the peace situation has worsened. Efforts at achieving peace is most often stymied by the government’s “all-out-war” policy. The regimes that came after the historic People Power II approached the problem of armed conflict in Philippine society by strengthening the military establishment.
Instead of solving the root causes of the problem, they resorted to political killings and human rights violations.
Peace is not simply the absence of war but the fruit of justice and love. Such a peace can only be attained if human dignity is restored and the most disenfranchised sectors, the rural and urban poor, are freed from various forms of bondage.
The challenges we face today:
• War on Terror
• Rural and Urban Militarization
• Extra-Judicial killings
• All out war in Mindanao
Integrity of Creation-
• Environmental Concern ( No to Large Scale Mining, logging, Genetically Modified Organism)
• Climate Change
• Alternative Farming
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
1. Education, Training and Capacity Building
In the effort of raising consciousness and internalize the core values of JPIC as a way of life, the conduct of JPIC- Basic Orientation Seminar (BOS) and training to our communities, Apostolate and other ministries is undertaken through the following:
• Orientation on O.Carm.-JPIC
• JPIC Orientation
• Basic Development Course
• Project Proposal Making
• Human Relationship and Human Rights
• Discussion on Sectoral issues
• Input on Economic and Political Situation
Capacity building refers to the strengthening of the internal capacity of the General Commissary. It involves staff development, physical set up and arrangements, structure or organizational development and program development.
• Leadership Training
• Organizational Development Management Seminar
• Facilitators Training
• Para -legal training
• Research Training
• Video documentation workshop
. Research/ Publication
Develop a systematic data bank for education and advocacy work.
• Data banking system on result of Fact Finding Mission/QRT
• Publication of” Gentle Breeze”
• Human Rights Violation Documentation
• Power Point Presentations
• Documentary Film
• Prayer booklet for JPIC
• JPIC Booklet for Different Holidays.
3. Advocacy and Campaign
Develop genuine participation in the task of social transformation through socio-pastoral integration. This can be achieved through:
• Immersion (Pastoral integration)
• Forum
• Symposium
• Letter to the Editors
• Rallies
• Mobilization
• Forum
• Liturgical Celebration
• Biblico Theological reflections
• Contribute articles to the “Gentle Breeze”
• Blog
• Press statements
• Position paper/ Signature Campaign
4. Sectoral Support and Solidarity
Establish support and solidarity mechanism, strengthen services and programs in defense of the dignity of life of the poor and marginalized.
Local/National:
• Livelihood Programs
• Alternative Learning System
• Scholarship Program
• Feeding program
• Medical and Dental Mission
• Early childhood Education
• Waste Management
• Organizational development and Management
• Tree planting
• Relief operations
• Sanctuaries
• Exposure
• Quick Response Team
• Interfaith and Ecumenical Actions
International:
• Solidarity Mission
• Solidarity Actions
• Worldwide Protest actions
5. Resource Mobilization
Generate fund to support the ongoing education & skills training in communities, parishes, BCC, Schools & programs.
• Pondo ng Pinoy
• Project Proposal Making
• Income Generating Projects
• Solicitation
6. Volunteer Program
This will serve as a venue for individuals to channel their strong passion for JPIC works toward our social engagements.
Operating on a meager budget, the JPIC is faced with the problem of lack of personnel or regular staff who will handle the gargantuan tasks that are at hand, now that the JPIC is already designated as a Commission. We encourage the Carmelite family and our former Carmelite seminarians to get involved in the JPIC. They can be tapped based on their expertise and interest. For instance, those who are good at writing can join the pool of writers for the JPIC publication, the Gentle Breeze. Those who are adept at resource mobilization can reach out to our JPIC friends.
Program Management-
Organizational chart with Task and Functions
The JPIC Commission
1. The JPIC Commission is recommendatory to the Council.
2. It works out the mandate of the Chapter 2000 to propose a program for the integration of JPIC in all ministries in the Commissariat.
3. It provides possible assistance to the four centers in setting- up a JPIC Center committee and in providing the needed training.
4. It follows up the activities in the centers.
5. It prepares the progress and news reports for publication in Carmel News and contact with the international JPIC Commission.
6. It provides regularly a progress report to the Council.
7. It will set-up a Commissariat Trust Fund for assistance to the centers.
8. It will provide regularly educational and other JPIC materials.
It meets twice a year, in January/February and July/August.
. JPIC Center Committee
1. Is headed by a Center Coordinator appointed by the council and implements and monitors the JPIC program in all ministries in the Center.
2. It prepares a yearly budget timely in order to be included in the budget of the parish, school, formation or any other specific ministry in the center.
3. It makes bi-monthly progress and news reports to the JPIC Commissariat coordinator.
4. It facilitates linkages with the other JPIC groups with a similar outlook.
5. Promotes good and principled relationship with the other Churches, PO’s, NGO’s, Government agencies and other groups.
6. Prepares a core group and a battery of speakers able to handle the different topics on JPIC. The Center should educationally become self-reliable and self-sustainable within a period of about two till three years.
OUR CLARION CALL
In keeping with our profession vow, which is to listen to the cry and anguish of the poor, we will continue to raise the call of the Gentle Breeze:
• Reflection of the Philippine Situation
• Defend Human Rights
• Support the worker’s right for Jobs and Just Wages.
• Advance the advocacy for Genuine Agrarian Reform
• Defend the indigenous people’s rights to their ancestral lands.
What has to be done?
• Sectoral Immersion/ exposure.
( The O.Carm-JPIC facilitates immersion with the different sectors)
• Encourage our friends and relatives who work in the different ecumenical groups, NGO’s and other human rights body to carry forward the issues in the Philippines.
• Provide Technical and financial assistance.
Continue communicating with us through our Blog site at : www.gentlebreeze2.blogspot.com or through our E-mail: jpic_ocarm@yahoo.com.ph
The program will be basically guided by the See, Judge, Dialogue of Life and Act Framework. In common Catholic Literature See, Judge, Act is used however, feedback from field experiences in various Catholic and Ecumenical Institutions made the necessary infusion of the Dialogue of Life part to ensure that judgment and call to action part will be hopefully incorporated to the life style and day to day experiences of individual Christians particularly the O.Carm-JPIC Promoters. Below is the diagram of the framework:
On the See part the participants will be facilitated to take a critical look into the Economic, Political, Socio-Cultural and Ecological situation of their locale and the country. From the See part the beneficiaries will move to Judge, the participants will then use the scriptures, social doctrine of the church, socio-theological framework, Carmelite Spirituality and Charism as principles for reflection, criteria for judgment and directive for action. But before proceeding to the Act part, the O.Carm-JPIC Promoters and other stakeholders are encouraged to experience a Dialogue of Life where beneficiaries will engage in assessing the consistency of their moral framework and their lifestyle, involved in self-criticism on their concrete expression of the gospel message at the level of the self, family, workplace and immediate community, and look into the transformative process they have undergone or have not undergone.
This part is aimed at one hand, to facilitate the personal transformation process and on the other hand, ensures the consistency and the parallelism of one’s action between personal and social transformation process by making it as a linking process towards the Act part. Once done, the O.Carm-JPIC Promoters and other stakeholders will move to the Act part, which consist of specific actions they must undertake after considering and undergoing the three aforementioned processes. The Act part must be matters that are doable and achievable in a given timeframe and should be holistic and integral in nature and approach. Meaning, it should starts from the personal sphere up to the public sphere where one operates and as much as possible involved all facets of human life. Then from the public sphere it goes back to the personal sphere, in a form of feedback and reflection then elevates to another cycle. This is understood to be a life-long process but what the program envisions is to initially allow the O.Carm-JPIC Promoters and other stakeholders to experience and appreciate the process then practice it as part of daily living as a Christian in general and as Carmelites, both religious and lay, in particular.
This framework will be incorporated to all components and activities of the project as much as possible. Even project staff are required to undergo the same process as they facilitate the implementation of the projects thus, allowing them internalize and integrate the process in their daily living.
1. Cascading Method
The cascading method ensures that most of the activities of the project are trickled down to the lowest unit of the partner sectors or communities. In this method, trainees at one level become the trainers at the next level. The pool of resource persons and council of theologians will train the promoters, program staff an
the O.Carm-JPIC volunteers, then the program staff and O.Carm-JPIC Volunteers, with the supervision of the pool of speakers and council of theologians, will handle the training of the sector/community core group members at the next level.
The sector/community core group members will then become trainers at the units, small groups and apostolate area of their sector/community. The process goes on until all the activities are cascaded to all members of the sector/community. Employing the sector/community-based method, each activity at a particular level will be tailored-fit to the needs, concerns, and existing ASK (attitude, skills, knowledge) of the target participants.
The CASCADING METHODOLOGY
On-the-Job-Training
This method directly applies to the capacity-building program but is also relevant to the other components. This entails constant conduct of tactic planning and coaching session between the pool of resource persons/council of theologians and the program staff (together with volunteers). The promoters and program staff and the JPIC team at the local center are obliged to repeat the process and the same process is replicated at particular sectors, units or clusters at the local centers. The method requires the trainer at one level to be present at the next level so during the conduct of activity the resource person can coach, on-the-job, the trainee turned trainer.
After each session and activity a critiquing session will be hold to assess the gains and opportunity for improvements for both the trainee-turned-trainer and the resource person. The critiquing session aside from the activity assessment framework will also use the See, Judge, Dialogue of Life, and Act framework or process to ensure that this framework is put to flesh in the project activities.
Area of Concerns
JUSTICE-
Blessed with human and natural resources, it is ironic that with that majority of the Filipinos remain impoverished, still mired in poverty. Based from the survey of Independent think tank, Ibon Foundation, the standard of living of Filipino has declined through the years. The rising prices of basic commodities and social services has eroded the already meager salaries of workers. The challenges we face today:
• Hunger and Poverty
• Low wages,
• Heavy taxes (Expanded Value Added Tax )
• Development Aggression
PEACE -
Amidst the worsening economic conditions suffered by the majority of the Filipino people, the peace situation has worsened. Efforts at achieving peace is most often stymied by the government’s “all-out-war” policy. The regimes that came after the historic People Power II approached the problem of armed conflict in Philippine society by strengthening the military establishment.
Instead of solving the root causes of the problem, they resorted to political killings and human rights violations.
Peace is not simply the absence of war but the fruit of justice and love. Such a peace can only be attained if human dignity is restored and the most disenfranchised sectors, the rural and urban poor, are freed from various forms of bondage.
The challenges we face today:
• War on Terror
• Rural and Urban Militarization
• Extra-Judicial killings
• All out war in Mindanao
Integrity of Creation-
• Environmental Concern ( No to Large Scale Mining, logging, Genetically Modified Organism)
• Climate Change
• Alternative Farming
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
1. Education, Training and Capacity Building
In the effort of raising consciousness and internalize the core values of JPIC as a way of life, the conduct of JPIC- Basic Orientation Seminar (BOS) and training to our communities, Apostolate and other ministries is undertaken through the following:
• Orientation on O.Carm.-JPIC
• JPIC Orientation
• Basic Development Course
• Project Proposal Making
• Human Relationship and Human Rights
• Discussion on Sectoral issues
• Input on Economic and Political Situation
Capacity building refers to the strengthening of the internal capacity of the General Commissary. It involves staff development, physical set up and arrangements, structure or organizational development and program development.
• Leadership Training
• Organizational Development Management Seminar
• Facilitators Training
• Para -legal training
• Research Training
• Video documentation workshop
. Research/ Publication
Develop a systematic data bank for education and advocacy work.
• Data banking system on result of Fact Finding Mission/QRT
• Publication of” Gentle Breeze”
• Human Rights Violation Documentation
• Power Point Presentations
• Documentary Film
• Prayer booklet for JPIC
• JPIC Booklet for Different Holidays.
3. Advocacy and Campaign
Develop genuine participation in the task of social transformation through socio-pastoral integration. This can be achieved through:
• Immersion (Pastoral integration)
• Forum
• Symposium
• Letter to the Editors
• Rallies
• Mobilization
• Forum
• Liturgical Celebration
• Biblico Theological reflections
• Contribute articles to the “Gentle Breeze”
• Blog
• Press statements
• Position paper/ Signature Campaign
4. Sectoral Support and Solidarity
Establish support and solidarity mechanism, strengthen services and programs in defense of the dignity of life of the poor and marginalized.
Local/National:
• Livelihood Programs
• Alternative Learning System
• Scholarship Program
• Feeding program
• Medical and Dental Mission
• Early childhood Education
• Waste Management
• Organizational development and Management
• Tree planting
• Relief operations
• Sanctuaries
• Exposure
• Quick Response Team
• Interfaith and Ecumenical Actions
International:
• Solidarity Mission
• Solidarity Actions
• Worldwide Protest actions
5. Resource Mobilization
Generate fund to support the ongoing education & skills training in communities, parishes, BCC, Schools & programs.
• Pondo ng Pinoy
• Project Proposal Making
• Income Generating Projects
• Solicitation
6. Volunteer Program
This will serve as a venue for individuals to channel their strong passion for JPIC works toward our social engagements.
Operating on a meager budget, the JPIC is faced with the problem of lack of personnel or regular staff who will handle the gargantuan tasks that are at hand, now that the JPIC is already designated as a Commission. We encourage the Carmelite family and our former Carmelite seminarians to get involved in the JPIC. They can be tapped based on their expertise and interest. For instance, those who are good at writing can join the pool of writers for the JPIC publication, the Gentle Breeze. Those who are adept at resource mobilization can reach out to our JPIC friends.
Program Management-
Organizational chart with Task and Functions
The JPIC Commission
1. The JPIC Commission is recommendatory to the Council.
2. It works out the mandate of the Chapter 2000 to propose a program for the integration of JPIC in all ministries in the Commissariat.
3. It provides possible assistance to the four centers in setting- up a JPIC Center committee and in providing the needed training.
4. It follows up the activities in the centers.
5. It prepares the progress and news reports for publication in Carmel News and contact with the international JPIC Commission.
6. It provides regularly a progress report to the Council.
7. It will set-up a Commissariat Trust Fund for assistance to the centers.
8. It will provide regularly educational and other JPIC materials.
It meets twice a year, in January/February and July/August.
. JPIC Center Committee
1. Is headed by a Center Coordinator appointed by the council and implements and monitors the JPIC program in all ministries in the Center.
2. It prepares a yearly budget timely in order to be included in the budget of the parish, school, formation or any other specific ministry in the center.
3. It makes bi-monthly progress and news reports to the JPIC Commissariat coordinator.
4. It facilitates linkages with the other JPIC groups with a similar outlook.
5. Promotes good and principled relationship with the other Churches, PO’s, NGO’s, Government agencies and other groups.
6. Prepares a core group and a battery of speakers able to handle the different topics on JPIC. The Center should educationally become self-reliable and self-sustainable within a period of about two till three years.
OUR CLARION CALL
In keeping with our profession vow, which is to listen to the cry and anguish of the poor, we will continue to raise the call of the Gentle Breeze:
• Reflection of the Philippine Situation
• Defend Human Rights
• Support the worker’s right for Jobs and Just Wages.
• Advance the advocacy for Genuine Agrarian Reform
• Defend the indigenous people’s rights to their ancestral lands.
What has to be done?
• Sectoral Immersion/ exposure.
( The O.Carm-JPIC facilitates immersion with the different sectors)
• Encourage our friends and relatives who work in the different ecumenical groups, NGO’s and other human rights body to carry forward the issues in the Philippines.
• Provide Technical and financial assistance.
Continue communicating with us through our Blog site at : www.gentlebreeze2.blogspot.com or through our E-mail: jpic_ocarm@yahoo.com.ph
Saturday, May 30, 2009
CHURCH PEOPLE ALARMED WITH THE SPATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION OF NEGROS!
The Promotion of Church’s People’s Response-North Negros is alarmed at the report that 15 elements of 11th IB strafed the house of Francisco Pableo on
We would like also to raise our concern of the illegal arrest and detention of Francisco Bailing, 21 yrs old, resident of Brgy. Cudcud,
Moreover, we would like also to raise our concern on other human rights violation in Negros like the illegal arrest of Rogelio Moreno, Reneboy Moreno, Rechelyn Lozano, in Sitio Asaran, Brgy Buenavista,
With this kind of trend we would like to call our people to be more vigilant over a pattern of arbitrary arrest and of filing of criminal charges against alleged political activists and innocent civilians by the military.
As Church People we would like to promote our concern for justice and peace because we believe what Jesus Christ said “Whatever you do to the least of my brothers, you do it to me.” ( Mt. 25:40)
Reference:
Fr. Paul Medina, O.Carm.
Chairperson PCPR North Negros
Tel 034 4540212
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Carmelites back bishops' call for reforms in government
Carmelites-Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) convenor Fr. Jerry Sabado expressed support for the call of five senior Catholic bishops "to form a citizen's council to promote public awareness, to monitor the use of public funds, and to initiate charges against guilt officials."
Sabado noted that various irregularities in government remain unexplained, including the $329.48-million ZTE broadband deal. He also said the government has not acted on extra-judicial killings and persecution of human rights advocates.
"And now we continue to witness shameless cover-up of the multi-million fertilizer scam. Even as Joc-Joc Bolante finally arrived, truth, justice and accountability remain beyond reach. Families of victims of human rights violations cry out for justice," Sabado said in an article posted Friday on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Sabado said they will use basic ecclesial communities to deepen understanding of Catholics, seminarians, priests and religious and others in confronting the roots of these evils.
He added JPIC will continue to pray and act in solidarity with the poor as the Order of Carmelite demand the scrapping of oil deregulation and excessive taxes, farmers crying out for genuine land reform, workers crying out for substantial wage hike, migrant workers seeking better jobs so they won't be forced to work abroad, youth and all marginalized sectors who deserve a government that is truly for the people.
"We will abide with the people's mandate and be steadfast in standing for the sovereign will of the people," he said. - GMANews.TV
“We live in a world full of injustice and disquiet. It is our duty to contribute to the search for an understanding of the causes of these evils”…
We, of the Carmelites- Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation welcome the move of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the
As our Carmelite Constitution states “It is about time that we contribute to the search for an understanding of the causes of these evils, we of the JPIC-Carmelites will wage a wider discussion at the grassroots level of the national issues bedeviling our nation today. With our BCC-BEC communities as our vehicle, we will deepen the understanding of our flock, our seminarians and lay people on the causes of these evils.
We have been bombarded with data from surveys after surveys about the eroding standard of living of Filipinos. But, are not the people had enough of these? We are witness to their cry and aspirations. They have been shouting about this on the street. The transport sector has been demanding for the scrapping of EVAT that has burdened them with the series of oil price increases. How long have the farmers crying that the fertilizer promised to them went into the big pockets of politicians allied with the regime?
Are not the people already there at the middle of the struggles for the dream of life to its fullness? All they wanted to hear is a statement like this.
Until today, the truth about the NBN ZTE deal and other strings of corruption charges did not see the light, we again scandalized by the Euro generals and the shameless cover-up of the fertilizer scam because it seems that even Joc-joc Bolante has arrived, it seems difficult for the Filipinos to see the truth .
Whatever happened to the decision of the Supreme Court affirming the involvement of Palparan in ther spate of extra-judicial killings and persecution of Human Rights advocates ? It is through these that we echo the cry of the Filipino people before God : “Tama, Sobra na Magresign ka na Gloria”. he whole nation due to the myriads of scandals in the government.
In support of the Bishops’ call, We the Carmelite Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation will not waver in our fight for truth, justice and accountability. We will continue to join the ranks of the interfaith communities in the campaign for truth and accountability by joining mobilizations, noise barrage, forums and prayer rally as a concrete response to express the demand for change in the corrupt-ridden administration and rotten system in the government.
Convenor, JPIC-Order of Carmelites
Contact Number: (02) 721 33 91
Monday, August 11, 2008
A Nation in Captivity in Poverty and the search for Freedom By Fr Jerry Sabado,O.Carm.
The Israelites groaning, cried out for help, and from the depths of their slavery, their cry came up to God. God heard their groaning and he called to his mind his covenant. (Exodus 2:23)
The workers demand:
Jobs and Just Wages!
The farmers demand:
Yes to Genuine Agrarian Reform!
No to the extension of the fake Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program!
The people cry out:
Bring down prices! Stop oil price hikes!
Scrap the Expanded Value Added Tax!
The people’s lamentations and protests echo throughout the land. The cries of the poor resonate everywhere. The ruling powers oppress the poor like the Pharaoh in the Exodus story. The ruling powers of our time collaborate with foreign rule in enslaving the people. Enslavement in the form of feudal bondage, foreign control, indebtedness and land abuse daily manifests in the lives of workers surviving on low wages, peasants and indigenous peoples displaced by multinational projects, urban poor families demolished without guarantee of relocation, and countless victims of human trafficking, forced migration and chain of social injustice. While majority of our people are chained in escalating poverty, the government launched Oplan Bantay Laya, a counter-insurgency campaign to smash the
revolutionary movement by 2010. In reality, civilians are paying the highest toll. To date there are more than 900 victims of extra judicial killings and enforced disappearances. The lives of ordinary farmers, workers and community activists, human rights defenders, justice and peace advocates including church people have been snuffed out in the name of the counter-insurgency operations that actually targeted anyone critical of the corrupt administration.
In the midst of intensifying repression and brazen attacks on human lives, the faithful are being challenged as to how our faith can be of service for the people’s liberation. The life of Jesus is a powerful reminder for all of us – being contemplative in the midst of the people. Jesus find time to gather strength from his deep contemplation in order to strengthen himself for an active service to the people.
The late Fr Simon, a Carmelite priest, once said,” Our dreams for the future are the aspirations of the struggling masses. That’s why, we the religious, will only achieve our vows if we work in solidarity with the struggles of the sectors in the society.”
Sr. Nanette of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), one of the casualties of the Cassandra tragedy articulated, “If our talent or ability as priest or a nun revolves only and progresses inside the convent or the institution
where we belong while keeping aside other issues, like the sufferings of the masses whom we vowed to serve- that mission is full of emptiness.”
Our Journey to and beyond the Red Sea
In this challenging time, some religious say that they are tired and need to rest from active involvement for social change. But there are those who resolve to keep on believing and acting for our own exodus. Others offered their lives for the sake of our dreams…
The religious sisters, pastors, deaconesses and deacons of the church are living the true essence of sacraments in their day to day struggle. The fulfillment of becoming church of the poor is already taking shape…There in the city and the countryside. They are doing collective works or task reflections that are the fruit of their immersion and exposure. Like the discipleship
strategy of Jesus, more than 72 disciples are engaged in multi-faceted ministry: curing the sick, casting away corruption and social ills, supporting the poor in their aspirations and struggles.
They are the new disciples who are ready to lay down their lives in the face of ravenous wolves along the way.
We are leaving Egypt and not far from the Red Sea. In the spirit of unity and solidarity, the road to freedom is near. And again, we will see the life of the followers of Jesus. There in the factories and picket lines, in the street demonstrations, beyond the farm lands, seas and mountainside of the Mangyan, lumad, in the communities of the urban poor and the migrant workers everywhere. The Red Sea is near. Let us feel the spirit it brings, we will face tomorrow, a future that is free, just and abundant as we commune with the struggling masses.
But of course, after the Red Sea exodus another challenge is in the offing…let us then continue the journey for justice and peace… ##
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