THIS November 25, 2026, as we celebrate the Feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the beloved patroness of Dumaguete City, we are invited to live out our theme: “Walking Together as One in Challenging Times.”
More than a celebration of faith and devotion, this occasion calls us to deepen our communion with Christ and one another, translating the Gospel into concrete acts of love, compassion, and service.
St. Catherine’s wisdom, courage, and unwavering fidelity to Christ inspire us to remain steadfast in faith amid adversity. Today, as our communities face calamities, poverty, family struggles, and social divisions, we are reminded that faith must go beyond prayers and religious observances. We must make Christ’s love visible, especially to the poor, the suffering, and the forgotten.
This is the mission of ABAG SA KALISDANAN, a pastoral ministry of the Dumaguete Cathedral Parish that embodies Christ’s compassion through five initiatives: Alalay sa Krisis, Dugo sa Kinabuhi, Balay ug Paglaum, Balik Kusog, and Tabang sa Katalagman. Through these ministries, we offer not only material assistance but also the assurance that no one must face suffering alone. ABAG SA KALISDANAN is faith in action, mercy made visible, and hope restored through a Church that listens, accompanies, and cares.
At the heart of this mission are our Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs), the flagship program of the Diocese of Dumaguete and the Dumaguete Cathedral Parish. BECs are more than prayer groups or chapel organizations. They are communities where faith is nurtured, relationships are strengthened, and the needs of others become everyone’s concern.
As St. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12:12, although the body has many parts, it remains one body in Christ. Every member matters, and everyone has a role in the Church’s mission. In a living BEC, neighbors become brothers and sisters who pray together, support one another, and work for the common good. No one should feel unseen, unheard, excluded, or abandoned.
Walking together means moving beyond participation in parish activities toward active discipleship and shared responsibility. It means knowing our people, listening to their concerns, accompanying families in difficulty, reconciling those who are divided, and reaching out to those who have drifted away from the Church. It means building communities where everyone belongs, everyone can participate, and everyone is cared for.
Our annual Duaw Patron, as the image of St. Catherine visits our chapels, further strengthens this call. This cherished tradition should lead us beyond welcoming a sacred image toward renewing our encounter with Christ. True devotion is expressed not only in prayers and celebrations but also in transformed lives, deeper fellowship, and more generous service to others.
Inspired by St. Catherine’s courage and fidelity, our BEC leaders and members are challenged to become more prayerful, inclusive, united, and missionary. Together with the Parish Pastoral Council, chapel leaders, and the Parish Priest, we must strengthen our communities not merely through meetings and activities but through meaningful pastoral engagement. The vitality of our BECs is measured not simply by what we accomplish but by the lives we touch, families we strengthen, relationships we restore, and people we bring closer to Christ.
As we celebrate our patroness, let us renew our commitment to building BECs that are rooted in prayer, nourished by the Word of God, strengthened by the Eucharist, united in fellowship, and sent forth in mission. Let ABAG SA KALISDANAN become a concrete expression of this commitment, bringing Christ’s mercy and hope to those who need them most.
In challenging times, unity must overcome division, compassion must triumph over indifference, and hope must prevail over despair. Our calling is clear: Let us listen before we speak, serve before we seek recognition, welcome before we judge, and love without counting the cost.
Walking together as one Parish, one BEC, and one family of God, let us build communities where no one is forgotten and no one is left behind. May our devotion to St. Catherine inspire us not only to honor her but also to imitate her courage, deepen our fidelity to Christ, and serve His people with steadfast love.
May St. Catherine of Alexandria intercede for us, that our Parish and BECs may grow stronger in faith, deeper in communion, and more generous in service—so that, even in the most challenging times, the light of Christ may shine through us and His love may reach every home and every heart.
