Holy  Society of St. Barnabas, The Encourager

(Counseling Ministry)

St. Barnabas, son of encouragement, a name given by the apostles. His former name was Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, owned a track of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it in the apostle’s feet. He was a good man full of the Holy Spirit and of faith (Acts 11:24). In Acts 11:23, St. Barnabas encouraged a large number of believers who turned to the Lord in Antioch with a purpose of heart to remain true to the Lord. He also supports and ministers with the apostle Paul, together taught a great number of people and disciples were first called Christian in Antioch.

The Holy Society of St. Barnabas ministers through telephone giving prayer and counsel to the viewers of the "Upon This Rock" television program of the Cathedral of the King. This television ministry program becomes the source of numerous calls we receive from provinces of Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and Metro Manila.

We minister to viewers carrying heavy loads laboring from problems common to man such as sickness, financial burden, family relationship, fornication, adultery, vices, drugs and many others. For the past years, most number of calls were inquiries about religion, affiliation and theology. In most cases, they asked if we are Catholic.

To enhance the knowledge  about ICCEC, counselors availed of the Cathedral Services class and different seminars offered by the Church. We encouraged one another to know by heart what we learned. We challenge each other to make the best of what we have and remind ourselves that we have the life of God. As workers, it is our goal to be part of the mission of the church to make visible the kingdom of God on earth.

The Counseling ministry provides telephone counseling on:

• Sundays – responds to callers to the “Upon This Rock” TV program (NBN Channel 4, 5:30am to 7:30am)
• Wednesdays – man the phone during the airing of  “Batong Sandigan” radio program (1098 KHz/AM band 8:00pm to 8:30pm)
• Mondays to Fridays – responds to callers, do follow-up call.

We also minister to walk-in counselees and attend to telephone callers who comes to the mass for the first time. On special cases, the counselors also provide home and hospital visitation to the sick and physically impaired callers.