Philippine Apostolic Vicariate Centers 2027 Silver Jubilee on Christian Stewardship

The Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay, which serves northern Palawan, an island province in the western Philippines, is placing Christian stewardship at the center of its 2027 silver jubilee celebration, inviting Catholics to deepen their commitment to prayer, service, and generosity as a lasting expression of faith.

The stewardship initiative will culminate a three-year pastoral renewal program that began with a focus on catechesis in 2025 and the strengthening of Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs), locally known as Kriska, in 2026, leading up to the vicariate's 25th anniversary in 2027.

In a pastoral letter, Bishop Broderick Pabillo said the silver jubilee should be more than a commemorative milestone. Instead, he said, it should become an opportunity for spiritual renewal by forming faithful stewards of God's gifts.

"The year 2027 is dedicated to strengthening our program so that everyone may become good stewards," Bishop Pabillo wrote. "We can truly say we are disciples of Christ if we become good stewards."

Bishop Pabillo, who also serves as chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines' Office on Stewardship, said stewardship begins with recognizing that life, faith, talents, and material blessings are gifts from God entrusted to believers for the mission of the Church.

He encouraged Catholics to respond by dedicating time to prayer, using their talents in service to the Church and the wider community, and sharing their material resources generously with those in need.

"We give our time to God... we serve the Church and our neighbors according to our abilities... and share the resources entrusted to us," Bishop Pabillo said.

As part of the initiative, catechists will receive stewardship formation before training Kriska leaders throughout the vicariate. Priests have also been encouraged to consistently preach on stewardship in their homilies.

"I ask our priests to continue preaching about faithful stewardship of time, talents, and resources," Bishop Pabillo said.

Bishop Pabillo expressed hope that the silver jubilee would leave a lasting spiritual legacy by inspiring Catholics to become more faithful disciples through lives marked by prayer, service, and generosity.

"May our silver jubilee find us as good stewards, Catholics who pray more, serve both the Church and others, and generously share what God has entrusted to them," Bishop Pabillo said.