IT is INDEED tRUe!

A lot of calls have come to our attention lately trying to confirm if our rate of P450 for overnight (a little less than 10 US dollars) with 3 full meals and 2 snacks is true. YES! It is indeed!

LFC offers this low rate as a way of serving our lay faithful. At LFC, groups can expect clean facilities (this quality has made us famous), substantial food and friendly service.

We encourage those groups planning for a retreat or recollection this summer and at the opening of classes to book soon and early so that we can prepare our facilities for their better convenience.

Call us: 075-515-8306 or 075-653-3941 or 0917 244 2391. We will be happy to serve you.

Flower-ful April at LFC (Earth Day'09)!

LFC is filled with flowers after five days of successive rains this humid month of April! Today, April 22, 2009 is considered Earth Day. Here are some pictures to celebrate the day....


Xinia


Fire Tree




Desert Rose




Yellow Bell


Euphorbia


Bougainvilla


Morning Glory


London Bell


Two Lovers

Saint Paul College of Ilocos Sur (SPCIS) Retreat

Letter from Sister Grace Salvana

Dear Fr. Mario and LFC Staff,

Our two-day encounter with the Risen Lord and the God of Life was indeed a grace-filled moment because of your graciousness in welcoming us and giving us the best service and warm hospitality.

We are not only enriched spiritually but also nourished physically by the overflowing and delicious food lovingly prepared for us in our great encounter with the Holy. Thank you for the accommodation.

May God continue to bless you in your constant giving.

Caritas Christi Urget Nos!

From: SPCIS Staff and Maintenance Personnel

FAMILY ENCOUNTER

LFC is developing a module for families for an evening encounter. An (e)M-E group from St. John the Evangelist in Dagupan brought their children for a conference on parents and children, and then had a sharing together with other families.

ICE CREAM for the SOUL

Ice Cream For The Soul

Author Unknown

Last week I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said, “God is good. God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen.”

Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman remark, “That’s what’s wrong with this country. Kids today don’t even know how to pray. Asking God for ice-cream! Why, I never! “Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, “Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?” As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my son and said, “I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer.” “Really?” my son asked. “Cross my heart.”

Then in a theatrical whisper he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), “Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes.”

Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment and then did something I will remember the rest of my life. He picked up his sundae and without a word walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, “Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes, and my soul is good already.

"Outstanding LAY MINISTERS"

FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, a few Lay Ministers have been asking about awarding those among them who have tirelessly served the altar as Lectors and Lay Eucharistic Ministers.

Awards are never seeked by those who serve the Lord. However, on the part of the authority, these awards can become beautiful instruments to recognize the commitment and service of the ministers who serve our Church with great love and devotion. They are signs of gratitude and appreciation. They are also means to inspire and to encourage more participation and dedication among the laity to serve in the various ministries and apostolates of the Church.

Therefore, for the first time, the Archbishop has asked all the parish lay ministers to nominate at least 2 among them “to be recognized for their outstanding service to the parish community.”

Two criteria were given: (1) Length of service and/or unquestionable commitment; and (2) Exemplary Christian life.

LFC suggests that these two names be secretly balloted, and the results be privately tallied. They have to be submitted to the parish priests before March 31, 2009, and LFC will call the parish priests so that the Certificates may be prepared for the awarding during the Holy Week.

This text was published by LFC in LFC NEWS (LFC's newsletter) in February 2009.

This Holy Thursday, during the Mass of the Lord's Supper, many parishes have awarded "Certificates of Appreciation" to their LAY MINISTERS who have shown their great love and commitment to serve their parishes and the Liturgy.

Here is a sample of the certificate. There is an error here ("Sis." should have been "Bro.")



Here is a list of those "outstanding" lay ministers:

St. Gabriel Parish
Sis. Juana A. Reyes
Bro. Alfonso Q. Senin

St. Thomas Aquinas Parish
Bro. Guelberto B. Suratos
Bro. Sergio C. Cera

Holy Family Parish (Tandoc)
Bro. Dominador B. de Guzman
Sis. Susana P. Lopez


St. John the Evangelist Parish
Bro. Tony C. Bautista
Bro. Eduardo C. Catubig
Bro. Clemente C. Fernandez
Bro. Rodolfo P. Mencias
Bro. Vicente P. Ramos
Bro. Melchor S. Romero
Sis. Leila L. Cruz
Sis. Leticia D. Sevilleja
Sis. Zenaida N. Torio
Sis. Lucia A. Escano
Sis. Annie O. Panganiban

Annunciation of the Lord Parish
Sis. Narcisa M. Balolong
Sis. Lucia Vidal
Sis. Juana delos Santos
Bro. Alejandro P. Balolong
Bro. Mayo Vergara

Cristo Divino Tesoro Parish
Sis. Arsenia P. Maynigo
Sis. Dominga P. Peralta
Bro. Dalmacio M. Flores
Bro. Julio P. Peralta
Bro. Renato Baldueza
Bro. Benedict Mamaradlo
Bro. Jose O. de Ocampo

Sts. Peter and Paul Parish
Sis. Consuelo D. Santos
Sis. Caridad C. Estrada
Bro. Catalino L. Penera

Holy Family Parish (Sta. Barbara)
Bro. Jose B. Natividad
Bro. Armando I. de Guzman
Bro. Jose Miraflor L. Ocampo
Bro. Nemesio L. Cruz

Our Lady of Purification Parish
Sis. Juliano S. Bravo
Sis. Jovita T. Gonzalo
Sis. Lily C. Fernandez
Bro. Esmenio F. Rosario
Bro. Estanislao D. Sandoval
Bro. Paulino S. de Vera

Most Holy Rosary Parish
Bro. Manuel R. Ferrer
Bro. Jesus C. Bugayong
Bro. Primitivo A. Abalos
Sis. Eva Josefa V. Guzon
Sis. Efigenia Q. Curpoz
Sis. Nenita P. Villanueva

St. Rose of Lima Parish
Sis. Genoveva R. Manuel
Sis. Alice S. de Leon
Bro. Benito S. Cacapit
Bro. Romeo V. Manuel

Epiphany of our Lord Parish
Bro. Sgundo L. Saringan
Bro. Jose V. Pioquinto
Sis. Fermina F. Manuel
Sis. Natividad P. Crisostomo

St. Hyacinth Parish
Sis. Marita L. Rarang
Bro. Teodoro C. Sangalang

St. Ildephonse Parish
Sis. Susan C. Aoaonan
Bro. Benigno C. Abalos

St. Catherine of Siena Chaplaincy
Sis. Aida P. Cayabyab
Sis. Letecia S. Montemayor
Sis. Felisa G. Ferrer
Sis. Lolita C. Valdez

St. John the Baptist Parish
Sis. Ofelia J. Lucero
Sis. Estela G. Lorica
Sis. Preciosa C. Navarro
Bro. Melchor M. Pagsolingan, Jr.
Bro. Eduardo T. Arcalas

Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chaplaincy
Bro. Rogelio A. Ibuan
Sis. Josefa Ibuan

St. Pius V Parish
Sis. Rosita C. Salomon
Bro. Enrique V. Natano
Bro. Julio C. Bondad

If there are errors, they all belong to us. Our secretary, Delia, who is the most efficient with our files also makes mistakes. Please bear with our inadequacies, and inform us immediately if there are corrections. Thank you for your indulgence.

May the Risen Christ bring us peace and joy!

Mabuhay si Kristo! Glory to the Risen Christ!

Greetings from Fr. Mario and the LFC Staff

NEW SITE to FOLLOW

We have created a new site to list down all the LAY MINISTERS of the Archdiocese. We will try to constantly update it with announcements and revisions in the future. Click: LIST of LAY MINISTERS or copy and paste: http://aldlaymin.blogspot.com/.



Msgr. Rene Mayuga, ALD's Auxiliary Bishop gives a conference on "Ministry in the Church" to the candidates for Lay Ministry, Holy Wednesday, 8 April 2009.

FORMATION-SEMINAR for NEW LAY MINISTERS

148 New Lay Ministers (Lectors and Lay Eucharistic Ministers) undergo formation at LFC. Archbishop Oscar Cruz was the first speaker (on ETHICS and MORALS: Christ as the Way, the Truth, the Life) on the first day. Other conferences for the first day of the seminar were on the Liturgy and Catholic Doctrines. The second day will have the Auxiliary Bishop Rene Mayugba speaking on Ministry in the Church.

TOWARDS AN ARCHDIOCESAN CHOIR

LFC facilitated the formation-seminar of choir groups serving in all the parishes of the Archdiocese. Representatives (instrumentalists and 2 members of every choir) attended the said seminar on February 21 and 22 and April 6. All those who attended will serve as the choir for Chrism Mass on Maundy Thursday. Pictures here show the choir practice.

Fr. Fernan Estrada chose the songs, Fr. Anthonly Layog spearheaded the rehearsal and Fr. Julius Cuison approved the songs chosen. It is a first step towards something.... Listening to the practical suggestions raised during the rehearsal, one can surely say that even the choir practice was formative for the participants.

RACOS art works

LFC recently acquired an exceptional artwork created by RACOS. It is known secret that RACOS are the letters of our dear Archbishop's name, OSCAR. LFC is grateful for being chosen as the "shrine" of the many pieces of RACOS works. They are priceless pieces of art.

Visit LFC and get a tour of these wonderful works, which also include many religious pieces.

PALM SUNDAY

LFC joins the universal Church in observing the Holy Week. We had the last day of the Recollection for Lay Ministers today, Palm Sunday. We began with the solemn procession of the palms. Oremus pro invicem. Let us pray for one another.