October 20, 2010

Denver-based Bible mission continues ministry in the Philippines

By Julie Filby

Members of the Denver-based Philippine Catholic Biblical Mission Foundation made their second trip to the Philippines this summer to spread the story of salvation history to the country’s faithful.

“Our mission is to actively share the truth of Scripture with Filipinos and put them in contact and communion with the person of Jesus Christ,” said foundation president Dolly Banzon, a graduate of Denver’s Catholic Biblical School and native of the Philippines.

Since inception in 2007, CBMF has gifted more than $10,000 worth of Bible study materials and trained approximately 3,500 clergy, catechists and lay Catholics in the Southeast Asian country.

“We offer prayerful and systematic presentations of the Word of God in settings that take advantage of effective adult learning: small group dynamics, independent study, personal application and engaging lectures,” Banzon explained.

The group’s mission is three-fold: to lay a foundation by conducting seminars and providing materials; to form leaders by educating clergy and laity on how to lead Bible studies; and ultimately to establish an institution in the city of Davao, and later in the capital city of Manila, patterned after Denver’s Catholic Biblical School.

“Here in the states, we have many opportunities to learn about our faith and we take them for granted,” Banzon said. “Whereas in some parts of the world people hunger for the word of God.”

While it is estimated 80 percent of the population is Catholic, there is a shortage of clergy.

“The priest to laity ratio can be as high as 1 to 30,000,” according to board member Thomas Smith—speaker, author and former director of the Catholic Biblical and Catechetical schools (2007-2008). “It makes our mission all the more urgent, as the clergy need help to catechize the faithful.”

Smith added that a thorough knowledge of God’s word can help “fortify them against the many groups drawing thousands of Filipinos out of the Catholic Church.”
Last June, the trio of Banzon, Smith and chairman of the board Dr. Amelia Ashmann—also a CBS graduate and native of the Philippines—traveled to Davao and Manila. In both locations they conducted Bible-focused seminars to audiences totaling more than 2,000; including several that had attended the foundation’s inaugural sessions in June 2007.

“Many people had formed Bible study groups using the materials (The Great Adventure series) we gave them and were asking for more,” Ashmann said.

The mission trip also included events with the Medical Mission Sisters and the Missionaries of Charity and raising funds to purchase several hundred Bibles for poor children, teens and young couples.

“We didn’t just go there to share,” said Banzon. “As God is always generous with his people, we also learned a lot from our Filipino brothers and sisters—we saw and experienced their deep faith in God, and how they savored Thomas’ lectures.”

CBMF is supported by contributions from parishes, individuals, Knights of Columbus Evans Council 10122 at Queen of Peace Parish in Aurora, CBS students and graduates, and staff from The Great Adventure series.

“We are grateful for the support of generous individuals who share our vision,” Banzon said.

The missionaries’ vision was inspired by their four-year formation in biblical school.

“Although I’ve been Catholic since birth, I didn’t know much about Scripture,” said Ashmann. “I owe my love and enthusiasm for studying Scripture to my first teacher (at CBS), Kathy McGovern.

“She and my succeeding teachers taught Scripture in simple language that I wanted to share not only with my family and friends, but also with those in my homeland,” she said. “I want everyone to know the truth and beauty of our faith.”

CBS is off to a strong year. Director Ben Akers told the Denver Catholic Register that 220 students are beginning year four, in the seven locations throughout the dioceses of Denver and Colorado Springs. This represents one of the school’s largest enrollments to date. For more information, visit http://www.sjvdenver.edu/about-the-seminary/biblical-school.