MORE than 120 laity organizations and individuals from various Lay Organizations Movement Association and Services in Cebu were recognized as Jubilee of Hope awardees during a ceremony at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral on Monday, June 23, 2025.
Fe Barino, chairperson of the Commission on the Laity of the Archdiocese of Cebu, said Monday that the recognition put emphasis on the contribution of laity organizations for their role and service in different parishes in celebration to the Jubilee month of Laity this June.
“Bililhon ang award nga gihatag sa simbahan tungod kay giila nila ang ka-importante sa role sa mga laico nga naglihok sa lain-lain nga simbahan,” she said.
(The award given to the church is valuable because it recognizes the importance of the role of the laity who serve in various churches.)
The awarding ceremony on Monday named at least 38 organizations under the Archdiocese of Cebu Council of Charismatic Renewal, 21 organizations from Cebu Archdiocesan Marian Council, and nine from Archdiocesan Council of National Devotions.
Another 14 organizations from the Cebu Archdiocesan Council of Secular Third Order, 11 organizations from Cebu Archdiocesan Council of Apostolic Services, and 28 individuals from the Commission of Laity were recognized on Monday.
Barino said the award is for all organizations that are connected to the Commission of Laity.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, who officiated the Holy Mass before the awarding ceremony, honored the lay people whose active involvement in church activities contributed to the evangelization.
In his message, Palma recognized the role of lay people, associations, and church organizations, who serve not only the Church but also God.
Palma said the month of June is designated as the Jubilee Month of the Laity, and it is also a fitting time to give thanks to the lay people who faithfully serve the Church.
"Many lay people genuinely work out of their love for the Lord," he said.
He said the ministry of lay people is one's expression of God’s love and mercy.
He also encouraged everyone to continue their service as part of their journey in faith.
In an interview with the Alliance of the Holy Family International representative Merlinda Yap, she said the organization expressed gratitude to the Archdiocese's recognition and appreciation on their mission.
Yap said they have been conducting house-to-house visit, to teach and convince families to pray.
She added that the award is “God's gift” to them and has inspired them to continue their mission for the people.
As the archbishop emphasized, “Ministers as lay people, as baptized believers, are certainly proclaiming God's love and mercy. As we have observed, many lay groups have been honored, and we have expressed how truly grateful we are.”
Barino expressed optimism for continued unity and understanding between the laity and the clergy.
She said the laity and clergy, despite misunderstandings, has only one purpose -- to spread the word of God. (Divine Grace Bendanillo CNU intern, and Hillary Natalie Berongoy, HNU intern)