Dominicus Humus: LFC SESSION HALL

Sunday, July 16, 2006

LFC SESSION HALL

The "Session Hall" at LFC can accommodate up to 300 persons. It is a long area (9m x35m) that is well ventilated. We have a plan to set up air-conditioners in the hall in the near future. Here are some pictures of our activities that took place there.

Bishop Rene Mayugba opens LFC SEMINAR on the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church on June 3, 2006. More than one hundred Lay Ministers attend the weekly seminar.

Fr. Oliver Mendoza gives a talk on the "Economic Life," chapter 7 of the Compendium on July 15, 2006.

Mrs. Lydia Posadas, the servant-leader of the Couples for Christ HANDMAIDS OF THE LORD, gives an opening message to the participants during the one-day celebration of the group. The "Handmaids" in Pangasinan is 11 years in the province and going strong. 199 delegates attended the event. (July 16, 2006)

A speaker gives a talk .

A dance number of a group of participants

Vocation and Mission of LFC

Christifidelis Laici, the 1985 Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of Pope John Paul II on the Vocation and Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World, speaks very eloquently about the formation of the lay faithful. According to this document, the laity should receive a complete and integrated formation, one which bears its fruit in every sphere of their existence and activity.

1) The spiritual formation of the laity – their continual growth in communion with Christ is nourished by the help to holiness offered by the Church.

2) Doctrinal formation – which will enable them to explain to the world the reason for their hope. Systematic catechesis is also necessary.

3) A proper formation of a social conscience, especially in the Church’s social teaching.

4) An integrated program of formation that cultivates the human values and skills necessary for the lay faithful’s apostolic activities.

God is the first formator of the laity. The Church for her part also takes part in forming the lay faithful through the ministry of teaching and celebration of the sacraments. The Lay Formation Center exists for this purpose.

The Lay Formation Center (LFC) was established by Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz and the Clergy of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, Philippines, for the formation "especially of the laity." It opened on the feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, the first Filipino Saint, who is a Filipino and lay person on September 28, 2005. Fr. Mario Dominic C. Sanchez was appointed its first Director. Since then, LFC has housed more than 500 groups from the entire country for retreats, recollections, conferences and seminars. Its location is about 7 kilometers from Dagupan City center (east) and 20 kilometers from the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag (west). It is only a kilometer away from Bonuan Tondaligan Beach (north).