LAIKO to celebrate National Laity Week

THE Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas will spearhead its annual celebration of National Laity Week on September 23 to 30 to promote lay apostolate and honor San Lorenzo Ruiz and Blessed Pedro Calungsod, patron saints of the Catholic Laity in the Philippines.

The Laity Week event has the theme “Laiko in Action”, which is a celebration of the Catholic lay faithful’s contribution to the evangelization of the “unchurched” in the Catholic community. The occasion also aims to acknowledge the efforts made by various faith communities and church mandated organizations in the areas of service and evangelization.

Among the various activities proposed for the week-long celebration involve both spiritual and temporal aspects: Eucharistic celebration, liturgy of the hours, holy hour, bible sharing, novena to San Lorenzo Ruiz and Blessed Pedro Calungsod; talks, seminars and fora; visitation to the sick in the community and hospitals; visitation to the prisoners; distribution of goods to the needy; and medical and dental mission.

From the dioceses the celebration will cascade down to the parish level through the involvement of Diocesan Councils of the Laity, Diocesan Pastoral Council and National Lay Organizations. A massive information campaign is being laid out to achieve greater awareness and participation of parishioners and members.

The Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas animates and facilitates, coordinates and integrates all forms of lay Catholic action and activity of all Lay Apostolic Movements, Associations and Organizations. Among its affiliates include Councils of the Laity in 48 arch/dioceses and 42 National Lay Organizations in the country.