HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas is a season of joy. One of the strongly-worded liturgical prayers during the season of advent asks the Lord, "to prepare our hearts to receive the Lord" by begging him "to remove all the sadness that hinder us to celebrate the birth of the savior with hope and joy."

We ask ourselves the "why" of our sadness. The prophet Isaiah encourages us to make the path of the Lord straight, and John Baptist inspires us to repent of our sins. This makes a lot of sense. If we have failed in our relationships by hurting someone, or have deliberately done something malicious because of human weakness like pride or jealousy, or if we have sinned in anyway - then we could not enjoy the spirit of Christmas fully. We need to take a courageous step to forgive and to be forgiven.

The Blessed Virgin Mother also teaches us some wisdom. She points out by her spirituality about the greater importance of faith, purity and virtue over materialism, despair and vices. Sometimes we are deceived by the lies that money, external beauty or power could bring us true happiness. The life of the spirit, simplicity and humility are those that often lead us, however, to that which we truly desire, inner joy and peace. Thanks to the example of Mary.

Finally, let us fix our gaze on Christ. The meaning of the mystery of the Incarnation is the mystery of the love of God. There is certainly a connection between love and happiness. No one full of love is unhappy. All people in love are happy.

Our prayer, therefore, for everyone this season is not so much for more money in our pockets, or much food on our tables, or countless gifts by our Christmas trees, rather it is that there might be immeasurable and innumerable love in our hearts and in our homes so that we can truly have a HAPPY, HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

From Fr. Mario and the LFC Staff

Pangasinan Seminarians in Vigan

Theology Seminarians at ICST, Vigan stayed overnight at LFC during their educational trip. Fr. Arvin and Fr. Raymond accompanied the group on November 29-30.

Group from the farthest place: CASIGURAN

Faculty and Administration of Mt. Carmel College in Casiguran, Aurora Province held their annual retreat at LFC from November 28 to December 1, right after the news that their town (and nearby places) have been flooded.

LFC 2009 Calendar

UPDATING-SEMINAR for LAY MINISTERS

The Archdiocesan Biblical Apostolate led by Bishop Rene Mayugba and Fr. Fidelis Layog is giving the "Updating" for all the Lay Ministers in the Archdiocese. The theme is "Exodus Experience" which is the fruit of the reflections and experiences of Fr. Anthony Layog. Sis. Susan of LFC is now a member of the apostolate.

NEO-CATECHUMENATE

This weekend two groups from the Neo-Catechumenal Way held their spiritual activities with us, from the Annunciation of the Lord Parish, Bonuan Gueset; and from the St. Gabriel Parish, Bonuan Boquig.

RETREATS for STUDENTS

Our team of speakers and facilitators has assisted many groups in their retreats. Recently, the First Year High School students of Mother Goose held their recollection at LFC. Sis. Susan Aoanan facilitated the meditation. Tears and reconciliation added more meaning to their experience.

LFC STAFF

From LEFT to RIGHT: Demar (dining hall), Louie (maintenance), Delia (office), Sisa (chapel), Fr. Mario (director), Margie (chef), Beth (accounting), Wilmer (security), John (services).

Annual Retreat of La Salette School

BBY-KAMPI Seminar

The Katipunan ng Maykapansan sa Pilipinas, Inc. (Kampi) / Breaking Barriers for Young Adults with Disabilities (BBYAD) had their Trainers Training here for three full days (November 11-13).

Missionaries of Charity

The workers of the "House of Peace" run by the Missionaries of Charity had their one-day recollection at LFC. Fr. Mario, Sis. Susan Aoanan facilitated the sessions. Thanks to Sr. Jyuti Kiran, M.C. for encouraging the experience which was deeply appreciated by the participans.

OCDS Anniversary Celebration

The Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites of the Blessed Trinity celebrated their 35th Founding Anniversary at the LFC Pavillon. Fr. Batecan and Fr. Palinar led the Eucharist.

PRAYER TO SAN LORENZO RUIZ FOR THE SICK

Beloved Lorenzo de Manila and Martyr Companions, to you do we come for help. Help us to have the same faith and love that you had for God. We call upon you today on behalf of our ailing beloved ones.

By your prayers and intercession obtain for them not only comfort and peace for their souls, but also vigor, strength, and health for their bodies. We place our entire confidence in you because we know that God loves you and that you care for us. We earnestly pray that our sick ones be purified and revitalized in every cell, tissue, nerve and organ, so that the bodily limbs may function effectively again. Through your powerful intercession help our sick to receive the grace of God’s miraculous compassion, so that they will be completely whole again, and thereby be able to continue serving God in this life to the best of their strength and to attain the salvation to which you arrived.

Amen.

(Lifted from a prayer published in a Filipino Chapel in New York)

THE DIRTY DOZEN

This is the most recent acquisition of LFC from "RACOS."

SAN FABIAN SCHOOL TEACHERS

This is the fourth straight year that the San Fabian Catholic School Teachers held their recollection at LFC. Sister Cecile Lanas, OSB assisted Fr. Mario in leading the spiritual event (November 6-7)

Holy Spirit Academy of Bangued Teachers' Retreat

The 32 teachers and Msgr. Nilo Peig, with Fr. Mario

RETREAT and PILGRIMAGE

This December 2008, LFC is promoting a one-day retreat at the center and then a pilgrimage to Pangasinan's most loved shrine of Our Lady.


Dear Father/Sir/Madam:

This December, the LAY FORMATION CENTER (LFC) would like to invite you to celebrate Advent-Christmas Season in a very different way.

Many Catholics have never tried to experience going on a retreat. Others have done it as part of their formation in Catholic schools or in the different religious movements.

We would like to try to invite you to organize your group for an overnight RETREAT at LFC and then a PILGRIMAGE to Our Lady of Manaoag. It can be the best gift you can give to them this blessed season.

For a group of more than 50, the cost of the retreat is only P 450 per person, which includes 2 snacks and 3 meals, and a bed. The conference hall is air-conditioned. The cost excludes transportation expenses.

Based on our experiences, the ideal schedule would be: ARRIVAL before 9AM. Spiritual Conferences and Activities during the day. EVENING SCHEDULE would be SHARING and SOCIALIZATION. The next morning would begin with a walk along the Tondaligan BEACH, breakfast, and then the Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag.

Please call us for more information (075-5158306 or 075-5233941 or 09172442391). We can fax or email our “contract.” You may also check our website: www.laydagupan.blogspot.com. By the way, we also have air-conditioned dormitories and bedrooms available.

Thank you very much for your kind attention.


Very sincerely yours,


Ms. Delia N. Villare
LFC Promotions and Executive Secretary
20 October 2008

SOME PICTURES

Here are some groups who were with us at LFC this month.



High School Students from Caba, La Union

Singles for Christ of Pangasinan

Junior Class from the Mary Help of Christians Minor Seminary

OUR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

The chapel filled with guests - family of LFC staff, benefactors and patrons, friends and seminarians came before 10 am for the Thanksgiving Mass on the occasion of the LFC's third anniversary.

The Archbishop, Fr. Roy of the College Seminary, Fr. Bot of the Minor Seminary and Fr. Mario.

Archbishop Oscar Cruz, LFC's builder preached about the martyrdom of San Lorenzo Ruiz.

Fr. Mario expresses the deep joy of celebrating 3 years of serving the Archdiocese through his ministry at LFC.

Like a father and a son.

Fr. Jerry Cera, Rector of the Minor Seminary and the Missionary Sisters of Charity.

With Fr. Roy, Fr. Jerry and the college seminarians.

The meal.

LFC'S 3rd ANNIVERSARY

We are inviting all our friends, benefactors and patrons to join us on the occasion of LFC's 3rd Anniversary on the feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz, 28 September 2008. Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz has been invited as the Presider of the Eucharistic Celebration at 10 AM. Brunch will be served!

DOMINICAN SCHOOL Recollection of Students

Second Year High School - September 9-10, 2008




First Year High School - September 2-3, 2008




Grade VI - Septembe1, 2008

CHERISHED MOMENTS Grade VI Reco

Ms. Siapno and the three Grade VI sections of Cherished Moments School, Mangaldan, Pangasinan came for an overnight recollection at LFC on 6-7 September 2008.

Brotherhood Christians in Business Retreat

The Brotherhood led by Engr. Romeo Rosario and wife Engr. Virginia led some 50 members of their group for a two-day retreat 30-31 August 2008.