GKK PROGRAM PRINTED - Diocese of Marbel

BASE LEVEL - GKK MEMBERS

1. The members of the GKK are all Catholics living in the GKK whether active or inactive.

2. Basic qualifications for GKK membership are Baptism and actual residence in the GKK. Once a person is baptized he/she becomes a member of the Church and automatically also a member of the GKK.

3. Membership in the GKK is one thing and participation is another matter. Membership cannot be lost even if someone is inactive or rarely participates in GKK activities. In the GKK we have core members (active), second-liners (semi-active), and borderline members (inactive). All are members.

4. GKK membership is for Catholics only. Non-Catholics and those of other religions are not members of the GKK, but they are objects of our concern. In times of need we have the obligation to help them.

5. All Christian faithful, including those in the GKK, have certain rights and obligations according to Church law. Some of these rights are the right to equality, right to mission, right to the sacraments, right to obedience, right to be heard, etc.

6. Strictly speaking, no one may prevent anyone to exercise his right. Such action belongs to a higher authority such as the Parish Priest and the Bishop of the Diocese.

7. The use and purpose of the Information Sheet (Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage) are often misunderstood. These forms are diocesan forms and should be consistent with approved diocesan format and thus should not be altered. Main purpose of these forms is to get correct information or data. The Information Sheet is to be filled in either by the parents (baptism), by the candidate for Confirmation, or by the couple to be married. The role of any GKK officer who signs these forms is only testimonial in nature – to witness or to testify to the accuracy of the answers given. The signing officer should go over all the information given and if he finds any answer to be not true or correct, he has two options – he asks the persons concerned to put in the correct information, and if the ones concerned refuse to make the necessary changes, then the officer may not sign. But if all the answers are correct, then the officer may sign. This act of signing should not be interpreted as recommending, endorsing or approving. Such role does not belong to any GKK officer.

PARISH GKK GUIDELINES (From the DPA-I Acts and Decrees)

1. THRUST. In line with the main thrust of the Diocese of Marbel, the “building and strengthening of the BEC” shall also be the pastoral priority of the Parish and of the GKK ministry. (DPA-I 1.2.1)

2. ORIENTATION AND COORDINATION. All services of ministries, programs, recognized organizations and movements in the GKK must be directed and oriented towards the establishment and growth of the GKK. All such groups must work within and under the structure of the GKK and must coordinate their activities with their GKK Officers. (DPA-I 1.2.1)

ORGANIZING A BEC-GKK

BASIC REQUIREMENTS. In order to become a GKK,

1. There should be at least 30 and at most 60 member families in the target area.

2. People should have a good knowledge of what BEC is.

3. People are willing and able to support and sustain the BEC.

4. They have leaders who are willing to accept responsibilities, like being GKK officers, KRISKA Alagads, FLM Workers, Catechists, Youth Leaders, LLL ministers, Lay Liturgists, Social Action workers, among others

5. People decide responsibly to become a GKK

BASIC STEPS IN ORGANIZING A GKK:

1. Identify a suitable area where a GKK could be established (preferably a place where there already exists a beginning of a community).

2. Conduct initial survey (PSI or DSI) to get the following data: area, number of population and families, situation, needs, and other related information.

3. Establish contact with local leaders, other potential leaders and ask them to help.

4. Organize meetings, lectures, orientations – to educate the people on the BEC – its history, nature, rationale, principles, processes, requirements, and other related topics.

5. Consult the people and let them decide whether they are ready to form a GKK or not. Such decision is important because to be a GKK is a free decision and not imposed from above.

6. Have election of BEC Officers - President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Auditor. These officers are the core in-charge of the BEC.

7. Recruit other BEC Service Personnel - Layco, Catechists, Kriska Alagads, Family and Life Workers, Lay Liturgists, Youth leaders, Social Action Workers, etc.

8. Help GKK leaders to formulate plans and develop on-going programs for organizing, education (catechesis), social apostolate (service), worship and liturgy of the BEC.

9. Have regular schedule for monitoring, follow-up and evaluation of progress made.

Note:

1. Organizing a GKK is a process (sometimes slow). The preparation phase may take at least 2 years.

2. BEC is a free decision. People are not forced to form a BEC if they are not yet ready.

3. BEC uses a developmental approach to BEC building. Small BECs may start with just 5 major officers, but as the BEC grows through the years, every BEC is expected to produce enough leaders to serve the community.

4. Question. What do we do with GKKs that after so many years still do not have laycos, catechists, social action workers, and the like?

STAGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF BECs (Supplement)

DEFINITION. GKK ministry is a service apostolate to serve the GKKs. It has two levels: parish and diocesan. The diocesan level has 24 members (called BPR), 5 major officers (called Execom), and 3 Standing Committees (Education, Finance, Planning and Evaluation).

NATURE: A ministry that organizes, sustains and strengthens the GKKs as churches.

3. To facilitate the formulation, implementation and coordination of the plans, programs and activities of parish ministries in the GKK such as: CATZ, KRISKA, FL&M, YOUTH, LLL, LLM, Social Action, and others. (These programs once established become part of the GKK Programs)

4. To sustain the formation of the GKK officers and members. (Also Buklod officers, etc.)

1. Parish GKK Presidents and GKK Ministry Officers )5 Major Officers of the GKK)

The Parish GKK Ministry Office is the Secretariat of the Parish GKK Ministry and the Service Center of the parish GKKs. Its functions are:

1. To formulate strategies that will implement the direction, policies and guidelines set by the Diocese, Parish and the GKK ministry

2. To implement, monitor, evaluate the plans and programs that the Ministry has formulated and approved

3. To establish linkages with other groups, agencies, and institutions of related concerns

Note: The GKK Ministry Office Personnel are the Parish GKK Ministry Coordinator and Staff.

GKK Ministry Programs have four (4) main components: Organization, Education, Worship, and Social Apostolate (based on PCP II Elements of Integral Evangelization)

4. Social Action Program (to improve social awareness and involvement of Ministry members)

3. Companion to the Officers of the GKK Ministry and works in coordination with them.

MAIN FUNCTION – In general to coordinate/facilitate the implementation of plans and programs of the Parish GKK Ministry.

1. TO GIVE ASSISTANCE – The Coordinator assists the GKK Ministry Core Group in formulating plans, programs and activities of the Ministry. Planning is usually done at the end or beginning of each year.

2. TO SUPERVISE AND MONITOR – The Coordinator coordinates, supervises, follows-up, and assesses the plans, programs and activities of the GKK Ministry during the year.

3. TO KEEP RECORDS – The Coordinator compiles information-data-statistics on ministry leaders, accomplishments on ministry plans, programs and activities, prepares reports on observations-problems encountered, distributes and collates evaluations, etc.

4. TO ATTEND MEETINGS – The Coordinator attends meetings of the ministry, represents the ministry in the PPC, attends diocesan meetings, etc. (That is, if he/she is designated to do so).

5. TO MAKE REPORTS – The Coordinator reports regularly his/her findings, observations, accomplishments, and suggestions to the Ministry and to the Parish Priest.