South Johor BEC Core Team Assembly to revitalise commitment to BEC

South Johor Vicariate BEC Coordinators and their core teams gathered for their Core Team Assembly at Majodi on Oct 7.

The vision of the BEC Animation and Formation Team (BECAFT) Melaka-Johor Diocese is to have BECs rooted in Christ and to help parishes transform into a Communion of Communities. Thus, the aim of the assembly was to foster dialogue among participants and to revitalize their commitment to their BECs in accordance with the MJ Diocesan Option 2016-2020.

The programme for the day centred on the 4E strategy; Encountered, Enlightened, Empowered and Evangelising.

The first session saw participants getting to know each other through a song activity to share about themselves.

This was followed by reflecting on His Word taken from Luke 19:1-10 about Zaccheus’ encounter with Jesus. “Salvation has come to this house today, for this man is also a true son of Abraham,” and in Mark 10:17- 22, Jesus’ encounter with the rich man, “Then come and follow me.” Participants shared on how the Holy Spirit strengthens them to forgive trespasses, commit to doing His work and to be excited about our faith!

Bishop Bernard Paul continued with session two, on Enlightened. He commented that the rich man in Mark 10:17-22 lacked patience. It is our impatience that makes us lose sight of how God is in control. He went on to explain the journey of the BEC, from when it started in 1976, to its current form and function. He stressed that the BEC provides the opportunity for all Catholics to serve, regardless of status. In serving, we discover our potential and that of others. Bishop Bernard Paul called upon us to be witnesses of our faith — a spark that ignites the fire of the Word, especially to ‘the least, the lost, the lame, the lepers and the little.’

He also suggested that in addition to electing leaders, we must also identify new leaders and provide them a conducive environment to grow.

Session three focused on how we are Empowered by Jesus to be leaders in our BECs and, in turn, empower our members to participate actively. The text from Hebrews 10:23-25 exhorts us to “Hold fast to our hope without wavering… spur one another to love and good works… encourage one another.” The text from Ephesians 3:14- 20 sees St Paul’s prayer for us, “May He strengthen in you the inner self through His Spirit… may Christ dwell in your hearts…”

Each participant made a paper outline of their hand and wrote key phrases taken from either text in it, as a personal commitment of how they would exercise their special gifts in their BECs.

The fourth and final session on Evangelising concluded with Mass. Bishop Bernard Paul reminded all present that everyone has the opportunity to evangelise in any environment — on campus, at the market place. We can evangelise by our attitude, actions and way of life. He also advised all participants to open their hearts to the Lord, “know me, teach me, strengthen me and send me.”

Head of BECAFT, Francis Ong, echoed this sentiment with this parting statement, “everything is done by God but nothing is done without us.”

We were then commissioned by Bishop Bernard Paul to be the Light of Christ in our BECs.

Participants were from the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (JB), the Church of the Immaculate Conception (JB), Church of St Joseph (Plentong), Church of St Theresa (Masai), Skudai Catholic Centre (Skudai), Church of the Holy Family (Ulu Tiram) and Church of Christ the King (Kulai).

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online