The SOMIsid launching marks the beginning of a meaningful journey of dialogue, reflection, and action as we go beneath the surface of solidarity and mission. Held at St. Anthony Mary Claret College, this gathering brings together partners in faith and service to deepen our shared commitment to transformative mission.
SOMIsid is a wordplay derived from the Tagalog word “sumisid,” which means “to dive deeper.” The term SOMI comes from Solidarity and Mission and is a General Prefecture of Apostolate initiative of the Claretian Missionaries (CMF). It integrates Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC), the UN presence (CMF@UN), and the General Mission Procure. SOMIsid marks the beginning of a series of forums and conversations on Solidarity and Mission.
The forum and conversation were organized by the SOMI Team of the Fr. Rhoel Gallardo Province of the Claretian Missionaries and were hosted by Saint Anthony Mary Claret College and the Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Community. The event gathered members of various religious communities, students, Claret Youth Ministry from IHMP and ICP, and mission partners. It provided a meaningful opportunity for missionaries and collaborators to “go beneath the surface” of contemporary realities—examining the world we live in, our society, and the urgent call to action in response to pressing social issues, particularly those affecting persons in street-dwelling situations.
The program began with a warm welcome from Fr. Arvin Bellen, CMF, the SOMI Coordinator and Prefect of Apostolate. In his opening remarks, he emphasized the importance of being attentive to the social issues unfolding around us and challenged participants to respond with compassion and responsibility. He reminded everyone that indifference has no place in Christian discipleship, especially in the face of social injustice, the cry of the poor, and the suffering of our common home, Mother Earth.
The forum and conversation formally commenced with the first talk delivered by Fr. Arnold M. Abelardo, CMF. He introduced the mission center “Ako ang Saklay” (I Am the Crutches), whose mission is to accompany and care for reformists, persons struggling with drug dependence, and individuals with disabilities. He then reflected on the Encyclical of Pope Leo XIV entitled Dilexi Te (I Have Loved You), highlighting the Church’s preferential concern for the poor, the marginalized, and the forgotten. He stressed that care for the poor is not only the mission of the Church or the responsibility of nations, but a personal and moral obligation of every individual, for the poor stand at the very heart of the Church.
In the second talk, Assoc. Prof. Gil “Ka Jake” I. Espenido, RSW, MPAf, brought participants face to face with the harsh realities of the contemporary world, where wars and conflicts persist both among nations and within societies. His presentation served as a strong call to action, urging everyone to actively promote peace, justice, and integrity at both the personal and structural levels.
The final talk focused on the urgent social issue of persons in street-dwelling situations. This session grounded the discussion in the concrete context of Metro Manila, Philippines, where the number of people living on the streets continues to rise. Miss Patricia Monina Facundo, RSW, facilitated an interactive and engaging discussion that helped participants better understand the complexity of the issue and challenged them to discern practical and compassionate responses. The forum and conversation concluded with closing remarks from Fr. Angelito S. Ancla, CMF, Dean of Saint Anthony Mary Claret College and Local Superior of the Claret Theology House, who expressed gratitude to the speakers and participants and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to solidarity and mission.
May this forum and conversation reawaken in all of us a deeper awareness of social realities, a renewed care for our common home, and a more attentive listening to the voices of the poor, the marginalized, and the forgotten members of our society.
