Amended April 27 minutes of the meeting

Commission on the Family
Diocese of Paranaque
April 27, 2011
Host: Vicariate of San Antonio de Padua
Venue: Jesus, Divine Healer Parish, Tahanan Village, Paranaque
Approved as Amended on May 25, 2011
at DCOF Meeting at San Martin de Porres Church
Attendance:

Present:

Zoilo and Connie Gabriel San Antonio de Padua
Al and Edna Hermoso St. Joseph
Allen and Duy Reyes Holy Family
David and Marilyn Ordonez St. Martin de Porres
Gerry and Zeny Mallillin Our Lady of the Abandoned (North)
Che and Lita Lastica Our Lady of the Abandoned (South)

Counselling Group:
PerlaAcosta San Isidro Labrador
Edel Diego Presentation of the Child Jesus

VSAP Parish Coordinators/Representatives:

Robert and Ciony Peralta Our Lady of Unity
Bel of Zaki Abanes Our Lady of Peace
Faye of Ely Manuel Ascension of our Lord
Theresita Lariosa Resurrection of our Lord
Romy and Marissa Legaspi San Antonio de Padua

Fr. John Morota and Fr. Joel Ador

Absent:

Paeng and Nancy Barcelona Sta. Rita de Cascia











MINUTES OF THE MEETING

1. Opening Prayer and Gospel Reading by Zoilo Gabriel

2. Reflection on Lk 24:13-35 (The Appearance on the Road to Emmaus)

• We have our own Emmaus story happening to us now. We go through our journey of escaping/running away from our desolation experiences/unmet expectations/fears/doubts/problems by going to Emmaus so we can find our way back to our own Jerusalem.
• When 2 or more are gathered in His name, there is Jesus in our midst. His presence and our faith that He will not abandon us helps us cope with life’s challenges.
• My own Emmaus story at this time is having uncertainty over the coming of our new priest in the light of the re-assignments. But we must give our new priest the welcome he deserves, after all, he may likewise be experiencing the same fears/uncertainties about a possible unaccepting or unwelcoming parish.
• We have to acknowledge and recognize our own feelings of disillusionments on the situation we are in at the present time. We can not escape from these, we need to confront them. Only when we do, with God’s grace can we go back to Jerusalem.
• We need to be aware of God’s presence even in the midst of conflicts/problems and negative situations. We need to pray for God’s grace for us to have a strong faith and trust that God is with us, grace not to leave Jerusalem when problems abound.

3. Review and Approval of the Minutes

Item VIII . C below needed clarification directly from Fr. Lambert to wit:

“Memorandum of Agreement for 2 COF Centers will be issued to the new Parish Priest.” The issue: Assure the continuing use of the COF Centers and at the same time giving due courtesy to the new priest.

Confusion is: Will the Memorandum of Agreement be between the DCOF and the incumbent or incoming parish priest?

Zoilo moved for the approval of the minutes with the exception of the above Item VIII.C. Seconded by Al.

4. Matters arising from the minutes.

4.1. Submission of official list of Vicariate and Parish Coordinators:
COF Workers List submitted to Fr. Lambert by email. Hard copies to be provided to Rey and Mel. VSAP/Holy Family and OLA submitted hard copies.

4.2. Counseling ministry updates:

 For visibility/continuance and awareness purposes, in the absence of a full time counselor on site, Perla Acosta volunteered to be at the Center every Wednesday morning up to 1PM.
 Perla to discuss with Paeng the schedule of St. Gerard volunteers for CWC-St. Andrew
 Staffing of St. Andrew will come from CWC-San Isidro Chapel, Holy Family.
 Volunteers from St. Gerard Family Center will be requested to man St. Andrew on their off days.
 Stella Antonio on call volunteer at St. Andrew. Jackie is on roving and brings clients to San Isidro Labrador.
 Letter of request for the use of San Isidro Labrador as counseling venue was already sent to the Administrator of the Parish. Likewise discussed with Fr. Eric 2 possible venues: the confessional box inside the Church and a small room on the 2nd floor. If there is an overflow, Fr. Eric’s office is available.
 A counseling flow chart guide was submitted (designed by Ruby).
 No response nor feedback from Violy and Ms. Angel on their schedule or assignment despite several follow ups.
 Submitted hard copy of Counseling Center updates.
 Pastoral Counselors handle clients in their own respective parishes and this is included in the montly reports submitted to Sr. Pilar Verzosa.
 A counseling schedule was submitted as to time and availability of counselors (life coaches) in 4 sites: TSCruz, St. Andrew, Haven for Women (every Friday from 9AM to 12PM) and Haven for Children (every Tuesday from 4 Pm to 6PM).

4.3. On counseling center to be identified at St. Martin de Porres.
No Resolution yet.

5. Vicariate Reports: Even if soft copies may have been submitted to Fr. Lambert, it is good to cite the highlights of their report.

5.1. OLA:

• Havent met vicariate yet.
• Presented a draft of letter to Ayala Alabang Barangay Council on their support for a Pro Life Barangay Ordinance and a request to create Bgy Advocacy units to explain ill effect of RH Bill 4244.
• Migrant workers meeting well attended, plaque of appreciation from CBCP for the participation of VSAP in the persons of Gerry and Zeny Mallillin.
• Participated in the Luneta Rally.
• Seminar on RH Bill held.
• Invitation expressed for everyone to attend the St. James sponsored Natural Family Planning seminar on May 28-29.

5.2. Holy Family:

Diocesan formation on NFP workers initiated by our lady of the Pillar held.

5.3. St. Joseph:

Have not met as a Vicariate. Planning to have a symposium on NFP for the month of May.

5.4. St. Martin de Porres:

• Their joy at Mary Help of Christians – self supporting cooperatives supported by the parishioners.
• They made direct contact with Dr. Pala for astoral counselors.
• In their last visit to Congressman Golez, they were asked to come back on May 9 for discussion of RH bill.
• Discussed roots of birth control.

5.4. San Antonio de Padua:

• Recognized members of the VSAP present.
• last meeting was April 11, 2011
• Reviewed NFP, pre cana module and responsible parenthood at MGGC meeting.
• 15 couples participated in the MPP held on March 26-27
• Next VSAP meeting is on May 9 at Our Lady of Peace Parish.
• May 28 schedule of Haplos at Kalinga sa Buhay ng Anak at Magulang, cancelled.

6. Report on Migrant Sunday Celebration by Gerry and Zeny:

• Exceeded expectations, with about 300 participants, 1st time DOP attended the celebration with 39 persons, all with migrants in the family.
• Bishop’s donation is the biggest P25 k.
• Report on CBCP Migrants indicated biggest donation is P90 k from DOP.
• Considering organizing migrant representation co chair - Victorino and Minda Mallillin, themselves, migrants.
• Philippines has 10 million migrants.
• Baclaran holds regular last Friday mass for migrants at 9:30 AM.
• Suggests that all vicariates set aside one Sunday mass to honor migrants; welcome balikbayans, etc. migrants technical term is “people on the move”.

7. Other Matters:

• In the website of the DOP, pastoral priority is the youth.

• Question on next DCOF: How do we (DCOF) realign with the Diocesan Pastoral Thrust (focused on the youth).

• Possible programs where COF can link up with the youth.

1. Liturgy/encounter with Jesus.
2. Formation of parents with Sex education and youth on moral education
3. Parents for parent program.

• Support NFP meeting with Nanay Piling scheduled in La Salle Zobel on May 28-29. P500 per head for 2 days already open to all COF workers.

• Che lita/Gerry Zeny to coord with St. James.

• It was proposed to set up a special meeting of COF leaders on the Rally on the RH Bill.

• Next meeting: May 25, Wed St. Martin de Porres

Closing Prayer by Gerry and Zeny.


PREPARED BY: NOTED BY:

(Sgd). (Sgd)
Mel Sangalang Fr. Lambert Legaspino