Valley Park Lodge Nursing Home Visitation
Called to be Witnesses (LSS #11)
Standing in the Gap
DIP Shepherds are Reinstated
An Assemblage of Members
Witnessing God's Hand at Work during the ME #8 Weekend
2009 Emergence - Apppointment of DCS for BLDToronto
We've Got Teachers
Toronto Has New District Servant Leaders
News Articles of Interest to Filipino Nannies
Celebrating a Milestone in the Life of Our Community (15th Anniversary)
Our Newest DLCs  
A Fruitful General Assembly
Coming Under A New Anointing

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Valley Park Lodge Nursing Home Visitation

please click here for more photos

On behalf of the Mission Ministry we would like to express our gratitude for sharing your prayers, time, talents and resources in bringing joy and good cheer to the elderly residents of Valley Way Nursing Home in Niagara Falls last Sunday, October 25, 2009. Judging from the wide smile on their faces and the brightness of their eyes, we are sure everyone had a great time albeit it was only for an hour.

For those who were not able to join us, you have a chance to volunteer your services when we entertain the folks at Versa Care Nursing Home on December 5, 2009. Mark it in your calendar and share the spirit of Christmas through songs, dance and other forms of entertainment with the residents there. Kindly register through Thelma and Rene if you have any talent(s) you would like to share.

God bless everyone!
With warm regards,
Art and Fe

Called to be Witnesses

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses … to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

And indeed, there was a great supply of witnesses at BLD St. Catharines LSS #11 held at Our Lady of Peace Parish Hall in Niagara Falls on October 9 - 11, 2009.   And the fruit of their work is the blessing of 25  new graduates that have been brought into our Community. (click here for pictures of the weekend)

Fr. Joe MacDonald		Gerry and Zeny Ongcangco
Fr. Joe Macdonald, as presiding priest, led the pastoral team, consisting of Gerry and Zeny Ongcangco as LSS Coordinators, and the sharers.

Roy & Carmen Mitra	Ed & Cristy Samson	Romy & Minda Panday

The Community introduced with pride its newest home-grown sharers, Roy and Carmen Mitra, who testified to the victory of “God’s Love” in their lives.  Ed and Cristy Samson of our Toronto District shared on their “New Life” in the Lord; and Romy and Minda Panday bore witness to their “Transformation” in Christ.  The candidates were deeply touched as they witnessed the unifying love of Jesus in the lives of these couples.

The prayers, shepherding sessions, teachings, sharings and all the different activities during the weekend prepared the soil in the hearts of the lambs to receive the seed of God’s love, ready to be nurtured and grow into a mature relationship with Him through the Holy Spirit.  As the candidates surrendered themselves and let go of all their doubts, fears and unforgiveness, the power of the Holy Spirit came down upon them and their baptism saw their spiritual gifts being released. And at their graduation, the candidates eagerly and boldly shared their own experiences of the Holy Spirit’s work in their hearts and how their skepticism was changed to belief, their fears to confidence, and their expectations to fulfillment.

It was very inspiring to see members of the Community working together as one body in Christ, sharing their time, talent and treasure to give Him the glory that is His due.   And our God, never to be outdone in generosity, used the seminar not only to bring new people closer to Him but also to uplift and refresh the spirits of those members already in Community who continue to respond generously to the call to be His witnesses. 

All praise, honour and glory be to our mighty God!

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Standing in the Gap

Praise be to God for how well our beloved sister, Ronnie Garcia, is recuperating from a kidney transplant procedure performed two weeks ago. Since suffering from a stroke in 2001 which damaged her kidneys, Ronnie has been undergoing daily dialysis treatments.  While Ronnie says she feels "weak" and "shaky on her feet" following the surgery, she, Nardo and the rest of her family are quite grateful that she is responding well to the post-transplant medication she is taking and there are no indications of an organ rejection.
	Nardo and Ronnie have been among the main stalwarts of BLD St. Catharines.  They entered the Community as graduates of ME Class #9 held in 1996.  Since that time, they have been faithful servants of the Lord as they actively served in several ministries.  They are presenty Coordinators of the Liturgy Ministry. Let us continue to lift Ronnie up in prayer so that her road to recovery may be easy and complete.
"Heavenly Father: Truly You are a God who listens to the prayers of Your faithful.  We thank You for having made available the best organ match for our sister Ronnie so that she could finally have that long-awaited kidney transplant.  We continue to place her in Your care and protection as we pray for her complete recovery.  We pray that her new kidney will "take" and begin to function normally.  Ward off, dearest Lord, infections and anything else that may weaken her immune system.  And throughout all this, give her the confidence and peace that come with the knowledge that You have her in the palm of Your hands and she is being enveloped by Your most precious blood. For the gift that Ronnie and Nardo have been to the Community over the years, and for their loving support and faithful endurance, we thank You, Lord."

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DIP Shepherds are Reinstated

The Manila Executive Council of Servant Leaders (ECSL) has confirmed the appointment of Olie and Menchu Ealdama and 21 other Toronto DLCs (click here for complete listings).  The official installation of Olie and Menchu as District Shepherds of St. Catharines DIP took place on Friday, September 4th at Our Lady of Assumption, Toronto following the celebration of the Eucharist by Fr. Ben Ebcas, Spiritual Director of our Toronto BLD Administering District.  Olie's and Menchu's appointment is for a further term of three years, from September 2009 to September 2012.

In his homily, Fr. Ben exhorted everyone that as they continue to work together, to do so in love and harmony, encouraging each other and standing up for one another.  Fr. Ben remarked that leaders are not enough to build a community.  A strong community emerges when its leaders create an environment where members are given the opportunity to share their gifts.  It is through the empowerment that members receive that they are able to grow to true maturity, according to the inspiration of God.

For Olie and Menchu, our District Shepherds, we invoke the prayer from Proverbs 2:1-5: "My son(/daughter), if you receive my words and treasure my commands, turning your ear to wisdom, inclining your ear to understanding; Yes, if you call to intelligence, and to understanding raise your voice; If you seek her like silver, and like hidden treasures search her out: Then will you understand the fear of the Lord; the knowledge of God you will find."

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An Assemblage of Members

On Friday, August 7th, the Community held a General Assembly following an abbreviated Corporate Worship led by Myrna Zapata.

Romy Panday facilitated the meeting which started with Olie Ealdama introducing the newly emerged DCS for Mission for BLD Toronto District, Jess and Marilen Angeles.  Jess Angeles gave an exhortation to the community. He acknowledged the good work their predecessors have done and how they have seen how our Community has grown despite the many challenges that it faced.  He reminded us to stay focused on Jesus in our service and reassured us that he and Marilen will always be there for us.

Bernie Consul, coordinator for Gawad Kalinga, gave a presentation on BLD Toronto's GK projects and how we can get actively involved in helping the homeless in the Philippines.  Marilen Angeles followed this up with a brief exhortation to support this worthwhile project.

Cip Tabios provided an update on the success of Toronto's YE#11 held on July 24-26 with 12 youth coming from St. Catharines.  Three Coordinators were chosen from among our youth:  Kate Rebarter, Kristina Kehoe and Raiza Mativo. Cip also advised of the postponement of SE #2 this year.  It is now scheduled for August 6-8, 2010 with reservations now firmed up with the venue, Mount Mary Immaculate in Ancaster.  Cip further advised that St. Catharines will be sending one family, the Gutierrez family, to FE#14 on August 21-23, 2009.

Art and Fe Edralin as Mission Ministry Coordinators reported on the many different activities that the Mission Ministry is involved in.  Among them are nursing home visitations, the annual planting at the Cathedral, sponsoring a child through World Vision, providing choir music on Sundays at St. Aloysius Church in Thorold, food donations for Community Care and a golf tournament fundraiser for BLD GK.

Zeny Ongcangco, MLA Coordinator, reported that ME #9, which is scheduled on May 28-30, 2010, will be held at the Notre Dame Retreat House in Canandaigua, New York.  A slideshow presentation of pictures from the venue inspection was shown.

Minda Panday announced the new coordinators for LSS#11, Gerry and Zeny Ongcangco.  The community prayed over them as they were anointed by Jess and Marilen Angeles.  LSS #11 is scheduled for October 9-11, 2009.  Everyone was encouraged to invite candidates.

The meeting ended with closing prayers led by Minda Panday.  Fellowship among brothers and sisters followed.

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Witnessing God's Hand at Work during the ME #8 Weekend

“Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ…..  As the church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands …. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her.”  (Ephesians 5:  21-22; 25-26)

Ten couples heard God’s message of love and unity for them during the ME #8 Weekend on June 5 – 7, 2009 at Resurrection College in Waterloo, Ontario.

It was a weekend of rediscovering each other, of breaking down walls, of forgiving and being forgiven, of cleansing and healing tears, of trust rebuilt and love renewed.  And when they capped the weekend off on Sunday by the renewal of their vows, it was as if it was truly the first day of the rest of their lives!  

The Pastoral Team was headed by Fr. Dominick Mbah, whose inspiring talks so cut to the hearts of the candidates that they were all moved to seek his counsel and, more importantly, seek reconciliation with Christ.  Olie and Menchu Ealdama and Rock and Sol Bacani were the Presenting Couples and the generosity of their spirit as they shared of their lived experiences touched and ministered to the candidates.    

A number of our brothers and sisters from GVO were present to support their three couple candidates who joined the seven couples from St. Catharines.  

Our ME #8 graduates are:  St. Catharines:  Ken & Norma Kehoe, Ed & Irene Goulbourne, Miguel Gutierrez & Maria Londono, Florante/Lorna Martirez, Willie & Leona Palojaren, Cons & Cora Palparan, and Joe & Weng Ramos.  GVO:  Bart & Catherine Bolton, Joe & Carmelita Madamba and Fred & Bella Sangalang. 

Rey & Mabel Perlas (St. Catharines) and Edwin & Luz Caluag (GVO) have the challenging responsibility of being Class Shepherds to guide and lead their respective class to become an integral part of the Community and to prepare them for their own sponsorship. 
 

Once again, many members from St. Catharines demonstrated their loving support and generosity by readily accepting the invitation that was extended to them to serve during the weekend.  They did so single minded in their focus to offer their time, talent and treasure for God’s glory!  
 

In Sirach 25:1, the Lord says:  “With three things I am delighted for they are pleasing to the Lord and to men:  Harmony among brethren, friendship among neighbors, and the mutual love of husband and wife.”   
 

Praise be to God for the ME #8 Weekend when we were afforded the rare privilege of bringing delight to Him!  

2009 Emergence - Appointment of DCS for BLD Toronto

The Executive Council of Servant Leaders (ECSL) has released the emergence results (please click here for communication from outgoing District Servant Leader) of the new DCS for our Toronto Administering District.  Frank & Rose Cuaresma (Management), Jimmy & Nora Valera (Formation) and Ed & Lu Dumlao (Pastoral) have been reinstated in the same positions they have held over the last three years.  Joining them as new DCS for Evangelization are Reggie & Baby Villanueva.  Reggie and Baby have served as Praise Ministry DLCs and, latterly, as MLA/FLA Ministries DLCs.   Replacing Manny and Bessie Gorospe as DCS for Mission are Jess and Marilen Angeles.

Jess and Marilen bring to their new post a wealth of experience.  Aside from having been part of the Tricord body during the early years of Toronto BLD, they have served for three terms as District Shepherds for the Cleveland DIP.  Cleveland DIP became elevated to a Full Fledged District on December 2008, a truly significant event in the life of a DIP!

Jess and Marilen will now be responsible for the Toronto-administered DIPs (St. Catharines, GVO, Rochester, Cincinnati), as well as, Parish Services, Gawad Kalinga Ministry and Mission Ministry.  As they take on the challenging task ahead of them, we pray that the Lord will bless them abundantly with the virtues and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
 
On behalf of the St. Catharines community, we extend a hearty welcome to Jess and Marilen.  And to our past Mission Stewards, we would like to convey our gratitude to Manny and Bessie for providing us with their love, guidance and support over the last three years. It was indeed a privilege to have been fellow workers with them in the missionfield of St. Catharines.  May the good Lord pour out His bountiful blessings upon them for how well they have served Him!

We've Got Teachers!

"Each one should use whatever gift he/(she) has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." (1 Peter 4:10)

The Lord has opened up to Rey & Mabel Perlas and Avic Robles one more "form" in which they can serve Him.  Rey, Mabel and Avic, as evidenced by the Community Bulletin dated May 29, 2009, have been appointed by the ECSL as District Instructors for the St. Catharines DIP.

This culminates the long process undertaken by Rey, Mabel and Avic towards accreditation, which was set in motion when they, together with a few other members from our DIP, were invited to attend the "Teachers Development (TDP)" teaching and workshop given by Toronto last August 2008.  It was at that teaching that they learned that advancing towards accreditation needs a total and clear commitment on their part for it entails a two-step process.  First, they will be closely mentored as they develop a lesson plan on an original teaching module based on a Christian-related topic.  Second, they have to successfully give an actual teaching on their chosen module before a Formation Review panel, chaired by the Toronto DCS on Formation, along with other Community Instructors.   

On March 21st, 2009 Rey, Mabel and Avic underwent a "critique" before a panel made up of Jimmy and Nora Valera and Menchu Ealdama.  The panel offered further modifications to their modules and, on April 4th, 2009, they gave a "demo" teaching of their original modules before a panel made up of Jimmy/Nora Valera, Robert/Cely Kitane, Manny/Bessie Gorospe and Olie/Menchu Ealdama.  Without exception, everyone on the panel was impressed by their demonstrated readiness and grasp of their subject matter, their research skills, teaching style and use of helpful visual aids.    

The original teachings which were developed by our accredited teachers were:  "Our Relationship with God (based on "The Confessions" of St. Augustine) - by: Rey Perlas;  "Wisdom for the Trials of Life" - by: Mabel Perlas - and "Guide to Prayer" - by: Avic Robles.

As District Instructors, Rey, Mabel and Avic can begin to teach all of the Pre-Discipleship Track Modules - New Creation Realities ("NCR"), Growth in Prayer ("GIP"), Basic Bible Study ("BBS)" and LSS Orientation.  After mastering these topics, they can proceed to give the several modules that make up the Basic Christian Maturity Programme (CMP), Part 1.  However, they will be required to give a "mock teaching", again before a panel, of the first three topics that they will be assigned to teach. 

Brothers and sisters, let us a give a joyful noise unto the Lord as we accord Him the praise and honour that is His due.  And as we celebrate the great feast of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday, let us pray for the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit on our new teachers - Rey, Mabel and Avic - the gifts of His Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude (Courage), Knowledge, Reverence, and Fear of the Lord.

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TORONTO HAS NEW DISTRICT SERVANT LEADERS

 

 

Below is a a very important communique received from the ECSL and Archbishop Lagdameo announcing the emergence results of the new ECSL and DSL.  Of interest to us in St. Catharines, having been involved in the nomination process, is the information that effective July 1, 2009, Robert and Cely Kitane will be the new District Servant Leaders for the Toronto Cluster.  St. Catharines DIP is part of the Toronto Cluster.

Celebrating a Milestone in the Life of Our Community

On Saturday, April 18, 2009, BLD St. Catharines celebrated its 15th year as a faith community by holding a dinner/dance at Our Lady of Peace Parish Hall in Niagara Falls, Ontario.  Master of Ceremonies for the evening's programme was Roy Mitra.  To start, District Shepherd, Olie Ealdama, gave a brief introduction about BLD St. Catharines, followed by an Invocation Prayer of our Spiritual Director, Fr. Manny Serranilla.  The celebration was well attended, far exceeding our expectations.  Several members from our mother district, BLD Toronto, in a typical show of support, graced the occasion with their presence.  The evening had an atmosphere of a "family reunion" as members fellowshipped with each other and were reunited with classmates from the different programs held through the years.

The night was filled with camaraderie, lots of food, and raffle prizes.  The guests thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment provided by Jessica Mitra and her friends with their Hawaiian dance numbers; the agility displayed by Matt Panday and Kate Rebarter with the “tinikling”; the martial arts exhibited by Arven Rebarter and his friends; the dramatic Ifugao dances performed by Irene Gumolda and Norma Pangda, and lastly but far from least, the eclectic number performed by Thelma Ongcangco, Fe Edralin and Glo Ugarte.  The music provided by Romy Mativo catered both to the young and young at heart.  And judging from how jampacked the floor became, the clear favorite, hands down, was line dancing!  

A slideshow presentation put together by Avic Robles provided a travel back in time and gave those who were there during the early days when BLD St. Catharines was but a small shoot cause to reflect on all the blessings and graces received from the Master Sower of our vineyard.  Our Lord said:  "I am the vine and you are the branches.  Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).  Truly God has been good to us as He nurtured and grew our community from the tiny seed planted 15 years ago.  We praise and thank God for all the events and people who have helped, and continue to help, the Community to grow and mature in Christ. 

For "this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples" (John 15:9).  How fitting it is that we held this celebration as a "Spring Fling" for truly we are just in the springtime of our growth.   For everything to come into full bloom, much work still needs to be done.  But we are confident that as we continue to abide in our Lord God as His faithful workers, in due time and with His grace, we can offer Him a rich and bountiful harvest!

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Our Newest DLCs

Our Spiritual Director, Fr. Manny, installed Rolly and Gwen dela Cruz as DLC (or Ministry Coordinators), for the Secretariat Ministry last February 27th, following our regular First Friday Mass.  On March 27th, Fr. Manny again officiated the same rites for the installation of Grace Gumolda as the new Mark 10 Ministry DLC.

Secretariat Ministry 

The void created in the Secretariat Ministry with Tellie Ferrenbach’s recent transfer as DLC for the newly-formed Solo Parents Ministry was filled when Rolly and Gwen graciously accepted to take on the challenges posed by the appointment.  As Secretariat DLCs, Rolly and Gwen will be under the pastoral authority of Poch and Avic Robles, Management DCS.
	Rolly and Gwen were graduates of ME # 2 and LSS #2, both of which were held in 1998.  They have served as team leaders in many LSS.  They are no strangers to Secretariat, having served in the Ministry in the past.  Gwen is presently one of the officers of the Filipino Canadian Association (FCAN) in the Niagara region.  Rolly and Gwen have 3 children, 2 sons aged 19 and 15, and a daughter aged 16.

Mark 10 Ministry

We thank Grace, Gwen and Rolly for their wholehearted acceptance of becoming a part of the DLC Body.  Their commitment is a manifestation of their spirit of servanthood.  May the Lord  empower them with the Gifts of His Spirit as they serve Him in His people.  “The spirit of the Lord shall rest on them….. a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord, and their delight shall be the fear of the Lord.”  (Isaiah 11: 2-3)

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A Fruitful General Assembly

The Community’s first General Assembly for the year took place on Friday, February 6th following corporate worship and a reading of the Word.  .    
 
Roy Mitra, who acted as facilitator, reported on the fund-raising event being put on by the Community in conjunction with the 15th anniversary of the foundation of BLD St. Catharines.  The assembly was exhorted by Roy to come together to support this activity by encouraging everyone they know to attend and buy tickets for the event and to solicit ads and get messages for publication in the souvenir program. It is hoped that the fund-raiser will help the Community raise much-needed funds to support the weekend encounter programs and other activities it will be involved in this year.  
 
Menchu Ealdama ran through the challenges and objectives (see p. 18-20 of March 2009 Newsletter), which were established for St. Catharines for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 and actions taken to respond to these challenges and objectives.  

Rey Perlas presented a financial report on last year’s LSS #10.  LSS #11 will be taking place October 9-11, 2009.
 
Cip Tabios gave an update on Youth LSS #10, which Toronto District is sponsoring and will be held in Scarborough from March 13-15.  11 local youth will be participating (4 girls, 7 boys).  A full weekend of shepherding will be given by 4 Toronto Youth core members and 1 single at the Panday residence on February 21st.  Matthew Panday and Romy Mativo will provide transportation on the weekend proper.  The Ealdamas and a relation of the Mativos who lives in Scarborough will provide accommodation. 
 
Roy Mitra advised that the Community is encouraged by the possibility of having as many as ten couples as prospects for ME #8 to be held from June 5-7 at a new venue, the Resurrection Manor, located at Waterloo.  In reply to a query raised, Olie advised that while out of town prospective candidates will not be precluded from participating, priority would be given to residents living in the Niagara Region.  This way, it will be more realistic to expect these local graduates to become actively involved in the Community.   
 
A short fellowship followed.  The Assembly ended on an upbeat note as it was clear that everybody was happy to have been among brothers and sisters of kindred spirit even if only for a little while.

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Coming Under a New Anointing

Tellie Ferrenbach literally received a new anointing when she was installed as the Coordinator for our newest ministry, the Solo Parents, at a Mass celebrated by our Spiritual Director, Fr. Manuel Serranilla, on January 30, 2009. 

It was exactly a year ago when Tellie came up to the altar to be anointed with 10 other Ministry Coordinators, as Secretariat Coordinator.  But since then, it became increasingly apparent that there was a need to address the pastoral concerns posed by a growing number of members who were unique by virtue of their station in life.  They were widowed, separated, or divorced. There were also those who, though married, are physically separated from their spouse because of their need to work abroad.  And with the objective of giving them a “home”, the Solo Parents Ministry was formed.    Tellie is herself a solo parent who brought up three sons on her own.  Now two of those boys, Gerard and Rainer, have families of their own and have made Tellie the doting grandmother to five grandchildren.  Her youngest, Andre, is 22 years old and still single.

Tellie is a graduate of Toronto’s LSS #6 held in July 1995.  She sat in in St. Catharines ME #3 in 1999 and in September 2000, she was one of the graduates of Toronto’s first Solo Parents Encounter.  Tellie and her sons also are graduates of Toronto’s Family Encounter.  She sealed her covenant with the Lord in November 2002.

Tellie has brought her life story and the blessings she and her children have received as a sharer in Solo Parents Encounter Weekends held not only in Toronto but in our other districts such as Vancouver, Detroit, etc. 

We praise and thank the Lord for the gift of Tellie and for her acceptance of this new and challenging task.  The current DCS for Evangelization, Romy and Minda Panday, will have pastoral authority over Tellie. 

Please join us in prayer as we echo the anointing prayers of Fr. Manny at Tellie’s installation:  "May the God of peace provide you with every good thing you need in order to do His will, and may He, through Jesus Christ, do in you what pleases Him". (Hebrews 13:21)

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