WELCOME TO COMMUNITIES BLOG!

( Note: This article was written as an introduction for this blog which I first named COMMUNITIES. I chose to let this remain here to remind me how my blog is evolving in accordance with the development of my ideas based from fresh experiences I encounter as I go along with my life).

WHY COMMUNITIES?

Communities, because this blog covers a wide array of articles, essays, stories and other features that involve human beings. People.

Communities, because that's what humans do - build or sometimes destroy communities.

RELATIONSHIPS

How do people relate with one another, in their families, with their friends and neigbors, with the members of their religious groups, to the people in the market place, in their places of work, and in the organizations they belong ?

This blog will discuss about these things, including topics about religion, politics, music, arts, and culture , and how it affects man's communal life.

Topics such as peace, justice, love, etc.. and other related values will also be tackled in this blog.

All these from a layman's viewpoint! Although some articles may be "borrowed" from so-called experts from the different fields of religion, philosophy, psychology and sociology, most essays and other features will come from the personal experiences of the author, Alan K. Caña.

THE AUTHOR AND HIS BEC ( Basic Ecclesial Communities) EXPERIENCE

Mr. Alan Caña, or Bro as he is fondly called by friends, works as a volunteer parish worker in the Parish of the Archdiocesan Shrine of tbe Immaculate Heart of Mary, Minglanilla, Cebu, Philippines. His main job as a pastoral worker is to help build Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) in the parish.

His guiding principle in his work is borrowed from Stephen B. Clark's words from his book: " Building Christian Communities, Strategies for Renewing the Church", which states: "The main goal of the Pastoral efforts of the church today is to build communities which make it possible for a person to live a Christian Life".

ECUMENISM

This blog takes the issue of ecumenism seriously. The author believes that to make this world a better place to live, all religions must try to understand each other's beliefs and practices and find some common ground in which to work for the sake of the common good. This can only be done through dialogue.

Comments and ideas from all religions and sects are always welcome here. Ideas from religious authors aside from catholics will also be posted here, as long as they inspire us to live in harmony with our fellowmen, especially in the communities where we belong.

MINGLANILLA

Therefore, this blog will discuss people and communities, the state of the world as a community of humans, and most specifically, the church - and in particular - the Parish of the ARCHDIOCESAN SHRINE OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY, Minglanilla, Cebu, Philippines.

News from the parish will be featured here - an opportunity for Minglanillanhons living abroad to be aware of what's happening in their hometown.

LANGUAGE

The main medium of communication here is English but, some articles will be in the Visayan Language, which is one of the most beautiful languages in the world.

Visayan songs poems, stories, etc... will regularly appear in this blog.

It is hoped that all who visit this blog will enjoy their stay, and will learn more about themselves as persons living together with other persons made also in the image and likeness of God.

(Note: Originally, this blog contained Posts in the Visayan Language but I chose to exclude them to comply with the rules of Google adsense..My Visayan write-ups can be viewed in another blog......)

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