Ministry to the Filipinos

For considerable years of existence, the Ministry to the Filipinos in the diocese of Orlando has been celebrating religious activities to minister to faith expressions deeply rooted in the Filipino culture.  These are Simbang Gabi Novena Advent Masses, Our Lady of Antipolo, San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, and Santo Nino de Cebu festivities.  The recent and rapid growth of Filipino population in Central Florida became aware of these popular religious forms of worship. The Filipino migrants flocked to these events with great devotion, feeling joyfully ‘at home’ in these celebrations where their faith was born, continually nourished and called forth to grow. 

The Filipino clergy, through the leadership of Rev. Peter Puntal, felt the need to formulate a vision-mission statement that would provide guidance and direction of a more efficient and comprehensive program of pastoral care to the Filipino migrants.  Realizing that without a vision, the ministry will be sporadic, and hence less sustaining and effective, not mentioning a great financial waste of resources.

To respond to this need, Ms. Cecil Motus, who is from Kalibo, Aklan, was suggested to be the resource person to facilitate the process.  Ms. Motus has the expertise and experience of the process since she is the Director of the Migration and Refugees Services of the Office for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops based in Washington D.C. 

Ms. Motus gladly accepted the invitation.  She also suggested that we write a letter of request for financial assistance from the PCMR office.  The request was granted, and thus, the date was set for February 23, 2008.  Holy Family Catholic Church in Apopka-Vineland was decided to be the venue.
The existing ‘core group’ of the Ministry to the Filipinos was mobilized to send letters of invitation to all Filipino leaders in the various parishes in the diocese of Orlando.  A “food brigade” was also formed for a whole day of work.  Work it was when the participants gathered on that day.  But they came with great enthusiasm, dedication, determination and joy, allowing the Holy Spirit be the source of inspiration, motivation and direction of the process.  
The delegates were the following, representing their parishes:

Annunciation Church, Altamonte Springs
Liza Krees, Christina Salizon

Ascencion Church, Melbourne
Ralph Turingan

Blessed Sacrament, Clermont
Rev. Cromwell Cabrisos

Blessed Trinity, Ocala
Carlito Cruz
Joebalt Evidente
Vangie Evidente

Good Shepherd, Orlando
Maria (Siony) Gorion

Holy Cross, Orlando
Eric Bernabe
Flora Calata
Lindy Granahan
Celia Salas
Lilia Yap
Alma Soriano/ St. Isaac Jogues
Rod Soriano/ St. Isaac Jogues

Holy Family, Orlando
Rev. Kenny Aquino
Coling Enriquez
Liza Gonzales
Guada Shaffer
Cece Lim

Holy Redeemer, Kissimmee
Vilma Parffitt

St. Augustine, Casselbery
Larry Lim
Tess Lim

St. Francis of Assisi, Apopka
Rev. Val de Vera
Dan Ago
Gene Luna

St. Isaac Jogues, Orlando
Lisa Esteban
Ditas Olivares
Sheila Sta. Maria

St. John Vianney, Orlando
Bob Ansag

St. Joseph, Lakeland
Rev. Ramon Bolatete
Ellen Solomon

St. Joseph, Orlando
Rev. Rex Familiar
Mina Bailey
George Tunaya

St. Joseph, Winter Haven
Rev. Peter Puntal

St. Margaret Mary, Winter Park
Deacon Nemesio Gubatan
Perla Gubatan

St. Mary, Rockledge
Nona Mamaradlo

St. Rose of Lima, Poinciana
Cecile Eco
Oro Eco
Cathy Farag
Mary Ann Sayo

St. Teresa de Avila, Titusville
Rev. Roy V. Eco
Aldwin Ebuen
Joel Perez
Nancy Tilley

St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Cloud
Martin Claire
Nora Datur

Sts. Peter and Paul, Winter Park
Mila Ecle

The day turned out to be an unforgettable experience of a community with a joyful camaraderie amidst a grueling process of scanning the present situation of the ministry, celebrating the strengths, as well as enumerating the challenges, the burning issues and unmet pastoral needs that ought to be considered in the visioning process.  Four groups were created to plow through these realities.  

Resulting with four vision-mission statements from the different groups at the end of the day, a committee of five members was selected to consolidate, collate and formulate one vision-mission statement of the Ministry with literary flair, style and beauty.  The committee members were Sheila Sta. Maria, Cecile Eco, Joebalt Evidente, Dan Ago and George Tunaya.  Rev. Roy V. Eco was an invited guest.

After a thorough and prayerful reflection, discernment, deliberation, discussion and dialogue among the committee members, a final draft was formulated by the end of March 2008.