FRONT BACK
COVER
The LOGO of the Filipino Ministry - DSB is rich in
symbolism and meaning. Let us unpack what they convey to
the Christian communities at large:
• ►HUMAN IMAGES: There are six human figures.
The number six represents the six vicariates (Hemet, High
Desert, Low Desert, Riverside, San Bernardino and West-
End) in the Diocese of San Bernardino which are distributed
to the two counties that comprise the diocese: San Bernardino
and Riverside. The human images are the Filipinos residing
in the 6 vicariates. They are close to one another to convey the
Filipino Ministry Logo – It’s Meaning
unity that they signify, and that through their unity, a harmonious immersion to their respective
parishes will be smoothly accomplish.
►BAMBOO CROSS: This represents the flexibility of the Filipinos, that where they settled, they
always blossom in their faith. The bamboo can be used as tributaries where water will flow to give life
to arid lands; likewise the Filipinos, firm as they are, they have a loving heart that feels the cries and
needs of others; they become life-givers.
• ►WHITE CLOTH HANGING ON THE CROSS: The white cloth represents resurrection, and
this is the vision of the Filipinos, that wherever they are they can always live the resurrection as life-
givers. This white cloth reminds Filipinos that their faith is embedded in the resurrection of Jesus.
►SHIP AND SAIL: The ship represents the County of Riverside and the sail represent the County of
San Bernardino, which comprises the diocese.
The first LOGO was designed by MICHAEL
AZUL, a parishioner of Holy Family Parish in
Hesperia in 1994.
►FILIPINO FLAG: This conveys the roots of the
Filipinos. Their rich religious traditions and cultures are
elements that will enrich the dynamics of life of the place
where they are planted. The flag reminds Filipinos in the
Diocese of San Bernardino to help enrich and strengthen the
faith of the larger Church community by promoting the
Gospel values of MAKA-DIYOS (PRO-GOD), MAKA-
TAO (PRO-PEOPLE), MAKA-BAYAN (PATRIOTIC),
MAKA-BUHAY (PRO-LIFE) and MAKA-KALIKASAN
(FOR INTEGRITY OF CREATION).
The flag was added within the meaning of the first logo;
designed by Joe Rafols, parishioner of St. John the
Evangelist in 2008.
The present LOGO of Filipino
Ministry-DSB
Filipino Ministry Prayer
Before You, Oh Lord our God, we pray with deep faith
that as we journey towards the realization of your dream
and fulfill our mission, may we realize the diocesan vision and
thrust.
We pray, that we, the Filipino Faithful of the diocese of San
Bernardino, through the guidance of our Blessed Mother Mary,
may share equal dignity with the larger Church community
and called to be one body, united with our bishops Gerard and
Rutilloas well as our priests in the worshipping, evangelizing and
serving Filipino Ministry.
Fill our hearts with hope that we may become a community
of disciples and stewards of Jesus Christ from whom we have
the mission of making His gospel alive in our diocese and in the
world.
We pray that by promoting His gospel values of maka-Diyos (pro
God), makatao (Pro people), Makabayan (Patriotic) Makabuhay( for
life)at makalikasan (for the integrity of creation), we may help to
shape a society with greater respect for human life, economic
and environmental justice, cultural diversity, and
global solidarity and build a Church where the Kingdom of God
reigns.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ Amen
Diocese of San Bernardino
OFFICE OF THE EPISCOPAL VICARS
1201 East Highland Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92404
Telephone (909) 475-5115 Fax (909) 475-5109 E-mail:
[email protected]
July 2, 2008
Dear Holy People of God:
As a FILIPINO MINISTRY of the Diocese of San Bernardino (FILM-DSB), we have come a
long but memorable journey. Allow me to use the episodes of the Transfiguration of Jesus to
help us unpack three movements of our momentous journey to the mountaintop:
First, “Jesus took Peter, James and John and led them up a high mountain apart by
themselves…and he transfigured before them.” This journey to the mountain top is an
image of COMPANIONSHIP. Second, “Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, ‘Rabbi, it
is good that we are here. Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and
one for Elijah’”. This is a picture of a HOME. Third, “This is my beloved Son. Listen
to him.” This is a moment of WITNESSING.
COMPANIONSHIP, HOME and WITNESSING are images where Jesus wants the FILM-DSB
to walk with him, not only to the mountaintop, but more significantly in our involvement in our
communities, parishes and in the diocese. COMPANIONSHIP opens the door of our hearts to
see Jesus’ vision of an intimate HOME where humanity is touched by the love of God, and
impels us to be WITNESSES of the gospel.
As members of FILM-DSB, let us be proactive companions in building the Kingdom of God
(our HOME); hence, let us be prophetic witnesses in promoting the Gospel values of MAKA-
DIYOS (PRO-GOD), MAKA-TAO (PRO-PEOPLE), MAKA-BAYAN (PATRIOTIC), and
MAKA-KALIKASAN (FOR INTEGRITY OF CREATION).
In our Lady of La Salette,
Rev. Romeo N. Selección, MS
Episcopal Vicar
San Bernardino Pastoral Region
Diocese of San Bernardino
MSGR. TOM WALLACE
PICTURE/
MESSAGE
1201 E. Highland Ave., San Bernardino, California 92404-4607
Phone: (909) 475-5140 Fax: (909) 475-5343
Email:
[email protected]
Diocese of San Bernardino
OFFICE OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR
Oficina de la Vicecanciller
May of 2008
My Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Filipino Ministry,
Several years ago we planted a tree in front of our house in a place that would
provide the most shade. Our tree has grown so much that it now provides not only
the shade we wanted, but a home for birds that bring joyful songs and a place for the
neighborhood children to play.
I’ve seen the same growth take place in your ministry. In only fifteen years you have
not only established strong roots in our diocese, but have brought us much richness
and joy in sharing your culture. Maraming Salamat Po!
Thank you so much for sharing your journey. May you continue to grow in faith and
in unity, and may the fruits of your efforts bring you ever closer to our Lord.
Sincerely,
Vice Chancellor
Director of Apostolic and Ethnic Affairs
Dear Brot hers and Sist ers in Christ ,
Let t he peace of Christ rule in your heart s, since as members of one body
you were called t o peace. And be t hankful. Let t he word of Christ dwell in
you richly as you t each and admonish one anot her wit h all wisdom, and as
you sing psalms, hymns and spirit ual songs wit h grat it ude in your heart s t o
God. And what ever you do, whet her in word or deed, do it all in t he name of
t he Lord Jesus, giving t hanks t o God t he Fat her t hrough him ( Col 3: 15- 17) .
Fift een years may not be considered a significant period of t ime in t he eyes
of hist orians, but fift een years of minist ry in a young diocese such as t he
Diocese of San Bernardino, is an accomplished j ourney calling for celebrat ion
and t hanksgiving.
From a humble beginning in 1993, t he Filipino Minist ry in t he Diocese of San
Bernardino has wit nessed a t remendous growt h and is now present at 28
parishes t hroughout t he diocese. For t his, let us give t hanks t o t he Lord.
We give t hanks t o God for t he many gift s, individual and communal, t he
Filipino Minist ry- DSB has brought t o our diocese, especially t he gift s Cat holic
devot ions and popular religiosit y, t he gift s of fait h t hrough t he exemplary
and courageous life of San Lorenzo Ruiz, t he gift s of j oyful songs and dances
t hat raise our heart s t o God t hrough t he celebrat ions of Simbang Gabi and
t he feast of Sant o Nino.
As direct or of t he Office of Asian Pacific I slander Minist ry, I am honored t o
be part of t his hist orical celebrat ion. Let ’s us remember our past t o
cont inuously give t hanks t o our Lord and let us move forward t o commit
ourselves t o t he building of t he Kingdom of God t hrough our local church of
San Bernardino, embracing, living and spreading t he Good News of Jesus
Christ so t hat people lives are filled wit h hope. Let ’s us bring t he gift of
harmony and unit y in t he midst of chaos and diversit y.
Congrat ulat ions and Happy Anniversary FilMin- DSB! Let ’s move on! On t o
our next fift een years, loving and serving God and one anot her.
Sincerely in Christ ,
Sr. Theresa Phan, LHC
Direct or, Office of Asian Pacific I slander Minist ry - DSB
August 22, 2008
Dear Friends and Compatriots (MGA KABABAYAN),
Long live! Mabuhay! Viva los Filipinos!
Congratulations and warm greetings to All…Maalab na pagbati sa lahat…..
2008, we celebrate our Fifteen years of presence as Filipino Ministry in the
Diocese of San Bernardino. I, together with the first leaders of this Ministry,
can’t help but be grateful to God for the graces He has bestowed upon us in
this diocese. Let us give thanks with grateful heart to Bishop Gerald R.
Barnes who guide us through these years and to the many people whom God
has used to nourish and nurture this ministry.
Together with the different ethnic communities, we consider ourselves as
little stones that provide solid foundation to this diocese. There’s a wit that
says, “There are three kinds of people in this world, those who make things
happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder, what
happened.” We are grateful that the past and present leaders are completely
committed, actively involved and continue to share their time, talent and
treasure that makes the ministry vibrant and responsive to the people.
In the grand design of building the church of God, each one is like a small
piece of stone with a talent to contribute. Each one of us has flaws yet
indispensable in the building of the kingdom. You have contributed to the
building of the Body of Christ; continue to be a Welcoming/Hospitable,
Faith Sharing, and Reconciling and Collaborative community. God bless
and Keep up……
_________________________________
Rev. Art Joseph Monzon-Balagat
Out-going President, USFCMC
United States Filipino Catholic Ministries Council
Filipino Ministry, National Consultant to USCCB/PCMR
Office of the Asian and Pacific Islander Ministry
1201 E. Highland Avenue
San Bernardino, CA 92404
www.filministry.com
e-mail:
[email protected]
May 3, 2008
Warmest greetings of Peace and Joy of Christ!
As we celebrate 15
th
year anniversary of FILIPINO MINISTRY, it is a occasion to thank
God for the graces that ministry has received, for the growth it has experienced, for the
opportunity to minister and for the call of stewardship. It is also a period to remember
and thank those people who have been part of the ministry and share their time, talents
and treasures to the ministry. To God and to our fellow ministers, let us say together:
MARAMING SALAMAT PO!
Celebrating our anniversary is a moment for us to gather and share the blessings and
dreams as well as the richness of our experiences. Let us bring then our family and
community members to gather around the Table of God’s love and Goodness and from
there we may draw strength and abundant blessings. HALINA! MAGSALO SA HAPAG.
This celebration of our Quicinera of Filipino ministry in the diocese, let us take this
period to look forward and to renew our commitment. As a people of God may we
become the bearers and doers of the Gospel values of MAKADIYOS, MAKATAO,
MAKABAYAN MAKABUHAY AT MAKA-KALIKASAN (Pro-God, pro-people,
Patriotic, for the culture of life, for the integrity of creation. Let us continue to journey
towards the Kingdom of God where justice, peace, unity and integrity of creation reign.
MABUHAY!
Congratulations! Happy anniversary! Thank you! God bless you!
In Christ through Our Lady,
Fr. Antonio G. Abuan, MS
Diocesan Director
Fil-Min DSB
Office of the Asian and Pacific Islander Ministry
1201 E. Highland Avenue
San Bernardino, CA 92404
www.filministry.com
e-mail:
[email protected]
May 3, 2008
Mga Kababayan,
Greetings and congratulations!
We began our joyful 15
th
year celebration as a diocesan ministry – freely expressing our Filipino
Catholic faith, traditions and culture- with a candlelight procession of the images of Our Lady of Peace
and Good Voyage, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Blessed Pedro Calungsod and Venerable Mother Ignacia del
Espiritu Santo. We highlighted the day with a Eucharistic Celebration and, thereafter, a dinner/dance
fellowship. Throughout the history of the Filipino Ministry – DSB you have generously supported its
programs and activities by sharing your time, talent and treasure.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee and the Standing Committees, thank
you…
Thank you for promoting formation and providing assistance and guidance in the organizational
development of a Filipino Ministry at the parish level;
Thank you for assisting in the pastoral care and service to the Filipino community, particularly the poor
and the oppressed, through parish and diocesan programs;
Thank you for facilitating adult, young adult and youth evangelization by using formation and catechesis
relevant to our Filipino religiosity, spirituality and culture;
Thank you for fostering the Filipino faith communities in accordance with the Filipino family values and
meaningful worship while promoting dialogues and solidarity with other cultures;
Thank you for promoting the vocations of priesthood, deaconate, religious life and lay ministries; and
Thank you for promoting international solidarity with other ethnic communities and nationals in the larger
Church community.
May God’s love, peace and joy be with you always.
Naida C. Castro
Chairperson
Dear Sisters and Brothers, Friends in the Filipino Ministry of the Diocese of San Bernardino!
Greetings of the Lord’s Peace to you all!
As we celebrate the 15
th
Founding Anniversary of the Filipino Ministry of the Diocese of San
Bernardino, the National Alliance of Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) in the United States of
America send you solidarity greetings of gratitude, joy and inspiration!
We thank you for keeping the faith alive in this new land that many of you call your very own
home. We know that this faith is rooted in our experience and culture as a people of the
Philippines, varied in our regional expressions and yet one in its national identity. We know that
this faith is alive in our devotions to the different images of Jesus Christ and of the Blessed
Mother Mary, the saints who help us in the different seasons of our life and livelihood (San
Isidro Labrador, San Roque, etc), in our family and extended family values, in our sense of being
a community first before we are individuals, as shown in the “bayanihan” spirit, in our basic
orientation to the holy, as in our concepts of “bahala na (Bathala na)” , “pagkakasala at
kaparusahan”, and in our being “maka-tao at maka-Diyos, maka-Buhay, makabayan at
makakalikasan”!
We rejoice with you in keeping our identity integrated into the US Church and society. By this
integration, we are enriched by this new home and by this multi-ethnic society just as we give of
ourselves to contribute to their richness. But what polishes us together, in this sharing of
strength and weaknesses, is our faith in Jesus Christ, alive in each of us, present in our society, in
our being Church, and known most especially among those who are most in need!
With you we are inspired to open up to the future, in a great experience of being a World
Church, a pilgrim church on earth that serves the full realization of God’s Kingdom. That is why
we must always link ourselves with the people back home in the Philippines, and with the other
countries of origin of fellow immigrants because the history of this country and our own
respective country-histories have always had profound relationships in times of war and peace, in
the struggles for justice and truth, for freedom and liberation.
We look forward to a continuing partnership with you in the Filipino Ministry as we live out our
faith together in the loving service of our brothers and sisters.
Fraternally yours,
Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC
President
National Alliance for Filipino Concerns
FR. DENNIS LEGASPI
PICTURE/
MESSAGE
FILIPINO MINISTRY, DIOCESE OF SAN BERNARDINO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2006 - 2009
Maria Echevaria,
Ex-Officio
Vice Chancellor and
Director of Apostolic & Ethnic
Affairs, Diocese of San
Bernardino
Sr. Theresa Phan, L.H.C.
Ex-Officio
Director, Asian-Pacific
Islander Ministry, Diocese
Of San Bernardino
Rev. Arturo Monzon-Balagat
Ex-Officio
Pastor, St. Anthony-San Jacinto
National Apostolate , USCCB
Rev. Antonio G. Abuan, MS
Director
Pastor, Our Lady Of The
Desert
Apple Valley
Rev. Dennis Legaspi
Spiritual Director
Administrator, St.
Elisabeth of Hungary
Desert Hot Springs
Naida Castro
Chairperson
St. George
Fontana
Nini Dyogi
Vice Chairperson
St. Thomas The Apostle
Riverside
Merci Littaua
Secretary
Sacred Heart
Redlands
Vicky De La Cruz
Treasurer
Blessed John XXIII
Fontana
Rudy Soliman
Representative
High Desert
Our Lady of the Desert
Apple Valley
Lourdes De Jesus
Alternate Representative
High Desert
Holy Family Hesperia
Bing Johnson
Representative
San Bernardino
St. Adelaide
Highland
Vangie Fernandez
Alternate Representative
San Bernardino
St. Adelaide
Highland
Beth Managan
Representative
West End A
St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton
Ontario
Frank Lansang
Alternate Representative
West End A
St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton
Ontario
Louie David
Representative
West End B
St. Peter & St. Paul
Alta Loma
Owett Cabildo
Alternate Representative
West End B
Sacred Heart
Rancho Cucamonga
Vic Eslava
Representative
Hemet
St. Christopher
Moreno Valey
Ariel S. Jamisola
Alternate Representative
Hemet
St. Anthony
San Jacinto
Manny Alidio
Representative
Low Desert
Blessed Kateri
Beaumont
Tess Alidio
Alternate Representative
Low Desert
Blessed Kateri
Beaumont
Jose F. Rafols
Representative
Riverside
St. John The Evaangelist
Riverside
Benjie Lungay
Alternate Representative
Riverside
St. Catherine Of Alexandria
Riverside
FILIPINO MINISTRY, DIOCESE OF SAN BERNARDINO
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
2006 - 2009
Rev. Antonio G. Abuan, MS
Director
Pastor, Our Lady Of The Desert
Apple Valley
Rev. Dennis Legaspi
Spiritual Director
Administrator, St. Elisabeth of
Hungary
Desert Hot Springs
Naida Castro
Chairperson
St. George
Fontana
Nini Dyogi
Vice Chairerson
St. Thomas The Apostle
Riverside
Merci Littaua
Secretary
Sacred Heart
Rancho Cucamonga
Vicky De La Cruz
Treasurer
Blessed John XXIII
Fontana
Rev. Ben Alforque, MSC,VF
Member-At-Large
Vicar Forane-Riverside Vicariate
Parochial Vicar, St. Catherine of
Alexandria – Riverside
President, National Alliance of
Filipino Concerns (NAFCON)
Romy Enriquez
Member-At-Large
Ministry Formation Institute,
Diocese of San Bernardino
Nel Rabe
Member-At-Large
St. Peter & St. Paul Alta
Loma
STANDING COMMITTEES
Joe & Cely Rafols
Coordinators
Family Life
St. John The Evaangelist
Riverside
June & Techie Bitanga
Coordinators
Youth & Young Adult
St. Catherine of Alexandria
Temecula
Nini Dyogi
Worship
Temporary Coordinator
Chabs Aranez
Coordinator
Evangelization
St. Peter & St. Paul
Alta Loma
Owett Cabildo
Coordinator
Stewardship & Finance
Sacred Heart
Robert Clamor
Coordinator
Social Concern
St. George
FILIPINO MINISTRY, DIOCESE OF SAN BERNARDINO
FILIPINO PRIESTS, DEACON AND SISTERS
Rev. Antonio G. Abuan, MS
Pastor, Our Lady Of The
Desert - Apple Valley
Rev. Benjamin Alforque,
MSC
Vicar Forane
St. Catherine of Alexandria
Riverside
Rev. Arturo Monzon-Balagat
Pastor, St. Anthony
San Jacinto
Rev. Frederick Costales, MS
Parochial Vicar
St. Christopher
Moreno Valley
Rev. Msgr. Cesar Encinares
Chaplain
Loma Linda University
Medical Center
Loma Linda
Rev. Ignacio Estrada S.V.D.
Chaplain
San Bernardino Community
Hospital
Rev. Nick Gito, MSC.
St. Catherine of Alexandria
Riverside
Rev. Jose R. Goopio, S.V.D.
Director
Divine Word Missionaries
Riverside
Rev. Arian G. Intal, MS
Our Lady of the Desert
Apple Valley
Rev. Joven Junio, MS
Pastor
St. Christopher
Moreno Valley
Rev. Enrique Lapuebla, MS
Chaplain
Riverside County Regional
Medical Center
Rev. Dennis Legaspi
Administrator
St. Elisabeth of Hungary
Desert Hot Springs
Rev. James Oropel
Holy Innocents
Victorville
Rev. Emilio Reyes, SVD
Director
Divine Word Misionaries
Riverside
Rev. Generoso T. Sabio, MSC
Pastor
St. Catherine of Alexandria
Riverside
Rev. Romeo N. Seleccion, MS
Episcopal Vicar
Diocese of San Bernardino
Rev. Cristobal Subosa, F.I.
Sacred Heart
Rancho Cucamonga
Rev. Msgr. Antonio G. Sudario
Chaplain
St. Bernardine Medical Center
San Bernardino
Rev. Briccio Tamorro, SVD
Provincial Superior
Divine Word Missionaries
Riverside
Donnie Geaga
Deacon
St. Peter & St. Paul
Alta Loma
Sr. Nina Achacoso, MSM
Sr. Angelita Bacleon, MSM
Sr. Lily Salilin, MSM
MAJOR EVENTS
Filipino Clergy Concerts
Discovering and Re -discovering
The Philippines
Class No. 1, Marriage Encounter sponsored by the Family LifeCommittee held at
St. Catherine of Alexandria-Riverside, May 31-June 1, 2008.
Simbang Gabi Closing celebrations held at St. Catherine of Alexandria,
Riverside, December 23, 2008.
NAPCO Convocation, Washington, DC,
June 30 – July 3, 2006
Lenten Reflections, Divine Word Retreat
Center, Riverside May 14 – May 15, 2008
NAPCO Exhibits at the Religious
Congress, Anaheim Convention
Center
2005 World Youth Day, Cologne, Germany
2008 Bishop Barnes Annual Dinner Celebrations
Filipino Ministry Contingent to the Flores De
Mayo Festival in Orange Show, San
Bernardino
Winners of the Cherokee Raffles awarded during the Simbang Gabi
Kickoff held at St. Ann Church, San Bernardino on December 15, 1995.
Simbang Gabi Kickoff held at St. Ann Church, San Bernardino on December 15, 1995.
Simbang Gabi Workshops, November
3, 2007 held at St. Catherine, Riverside
April 30, 2005 First Invitational Choral Song
Festival. St. George, Ontario
General Assembly, November 10, 2007 held at Sacred Heart, Rancho
Cucamonga
Diocesan Filipino Ministry San Lorenzo Ruiz Choir,
Liturgical Dancers-September 30, 2006, St. George,
Ontario
Filipino Ministry 15
th
Anniversary, May 3, 2008 held at St. George,
Ontario
NAFCON Meeting, December 5, 2007 held at St. George, Ontario
Directory Editorial Board, July 12, 2008
held at St. John the Evangelist, Riverside
History Of The Filipino Ministry, Diocese Of San Bernardino
Fifteen Years of Service
In the Pastoral Care of the Filipino Community
Filipino Ministry – Diocese of San Bernardino
We, the Church of San Bernardino, are a community of believers
in Jesus Christ, called to impact family, neighborhood and society
with the Gospel so that people’s lives are filled with hope. (Mission
Statement - Diocese of San Bernardino)
In 1985 Pope John Paul II, in his address on World Migrant’s Day,
insist that “the immigrant members of the Church, while freely
exercising their rights and duties and being in full ecclesial
communion in the particular churches, feel themselves Christians
and brothers towards all, must be able to remain completely
themselves as far as language, culture, liturgy and spirituality, and
particular traditions are concerned.”
In the late 1980’s Filipinos in the Diocese of San Bernardino were
able to express their Filipino faith, religiosity and culture through
various devotional groups (i.e., Rosary, Santo Niño, Lord of
Pardon, Our Lady of Fatima, etc.) in gatherings homes. In April
1991 Most Rev. Phillip Straling, Bishop of the Diocese of San
Bernardino, and Msgr. Peter Luque, Vicar of Ethnic Affairs, began
the outreach to the Filipino community together with Filipino Fr.
Sofronio Aranda and lay leaders Santiago “Santi” and Virgie
Garospe, who were parishioners of St. Paul the Apostle – Chino
Hills.
In January 1992 Msgr. Luque was succeeded by then Auxiliary
Bishop Gerald R. Barnes. With the arrival of Fr. Arturo J. Monzon-
Balagat in November 1992 and, thereafter, the Missionaries of the
La Salette Fr. Maurice Cardinal and Fr. Romeo Seleccion,
outreach to the Filipino community continued to flourish. Filipinos
came together for the celebrations of diocesan Simbang Gabi
Novenas. Fr. Balagat, Fr. Seleccion and the Garospes continued
tapping the Filipino Cursillistas and members of devotional groups,
which became the grassroots of the formation toward the
development of a formal diocesan Filipino Ministry.
On April 7, 1993, a group of Filipino leaders gathered for a
consultation, headed by Bishop Barnes, at Sacred Heart Parish in
Etiwanda, now Rancho Cucamonga. The consultation was
designed to solicit input for planning and setting of the goals for a
diocesan Filipino Ministry. During the consultation process Bishop
Barnes recognized and commented on the gifts Filipinos bring -
our faith, our service and our rich religious culture and practices –
to the diocese. He asked the following questions for reflection:
1. What are the issues and needs facing the Filipino
Catholic community in the diocese of San Bernardino?
2. What are the gifts and talents the Filipino Catholic
community possess to address these need?
3. What are the obstacles present within the Filipino
Catholic community that interferes with addressing these
needs?
4. What are the hopes and expectations of the Filipino
community from the diocese of San Bernardino?
An Ad Hoc Committee was formed with Fr. Balagat as the
convener and Mr. Garospe as the lay contact person. The
ensuing dialogues, including vicariate meetings in the West End,
Riverside, San Bernardino and Victorville, gave birth to the Filipino
Ministry – Diocese of San Bernardino. The result of the grassroots
consultation was compiled by Fr. Seleccion and, thereafter,
presented to Bishop Barnes and to the General Assembly for
ratification on January 15, 1994, at St. Anne Church in San
Bernardino.
On October 13, 1994, Bishop Barnes signed the Constitution and
By-Laws of the Filipino Ministry – DSB, with its Mission Statement,
Purpose, Goals and Objectives (see Constitution and By-Laws)
and an organizational set-up consisting of the:
A. General Assembly, the highest consultative body of the
Filipino Ministry, responsible for reviewing, deliberating and
amending the Constitution and By-Laws subject to the
approval of the Board of Directors.
B. The Board of Directors, the highest policy-making body of
the Filipino Ministry, deliberating on policies, actions, or
issues pertaining to the Filipino Ministry, acting on matters
received from the General Assembly and serving as an
Advisory Body to the Bishops of the Diocese, as well as
resource group for pastors and other Diocesan bodies
among the Filipino communities
C. The Executive Committee, exercising the general
supervision and implementation of the day-to day affairs of
the Filipino Ministry, working with and through the Standing
Committees: Worship and Prayer,
Evangelization/Education/Formation, Christian Service,
Stewardship and Finance, Family Life and Youth.
On November 7, 1994, the Constitution and By-Laws was adopted
with Fr. Balagat as the first Director appointed by Bishop Barnes and
with Jessie Cristobal elected as the first Chairperson and with an
Advisory Board consisting of the following officers and members:
Ex-Officio Members (4)
Most Rev. Gerald R. Barnes, Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar of Ethnic
Affairs
Fr. Arturo J. Balagat, Director of Filipino Ministry
Fr. Romeo N. Seleccion, MS, Priest Liaison
Santiago B. Gorospe, Lay Coordinator
Filipino Representatives (8)
Jessie Cristobal, Chairperson of the Board and Youth Committee
Aurora Heminger, Vice-Chairperson and Chair for Education
Zuming Hermosura, Secretary
Mar Tigno, Treasurer
Romeo Villar, Chairperson, Christian Service Committee
Romeo de Guzman, Chairperson, Worship and Prayer Committee
Godofreda B. Sumalangcay, Chairperson, Stewardship (Finance)
Committee
Lydia Samaniego, Member, Worship and Prayer Committee
Non-Filipino Representatives (3)
Fr. Tim Keppel, Pastor, Resurrection Church, Fontana
Sr. Teresa Gomez, Director, Hispanic Ministry
Thomas R. Lenert, Chairperson, Family Life Committee
Ms. Cristobal chaired the Filipino Ministry – DSB until 1997. From
1997 – 1998 the position of Chairperson was vacant. Among the
activities during this period were:
• December 1994, First Diocesan Fund Raising Campaign; first
prize: Jeep Cherokee; over $100,000.00 were raised of which
40% was shared with participating parishes.
• May 28, 1995, Santacruzan ’95, A Filipino Cultural Celebration;
Officer in-charge and co-chair: Dr. Freda B. Sumalangcay,
Stewardhip and Finance Committee Chairperson; Venue:
International Pavilion, National Orange Show, San Bernardino.
• September 30, 1995, First Pastoral Conference in honor of St.
Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino Saint; Coordinators: Mon and Len
Robrigado, Ontario Vicariate Coordinators; Emcee: Salvador N.
Calumno, Jr., Ontario Vicariate Representative; Venue: St.
George – Ontario.
• May 30, 1997, Papuri at Pasasalamat (Praise and Thanksgiving)
– A Showcase of Philippine Sacred Music for Sacraments &
Other Celebrations; sponsored by the Filipino Ministry of the
West End Vicariate in collaboration with the Jesuit Music Ministry
and Bukas Palad Choir; Venue: Our Lady of the Desert – Apple
Valley.
• September 27, 1998, Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz Celebration
History Of The Filipino Ministry, Diocese Of San Bernardino
Main Celebrant: Most Rev. Gerald R. Barnes; Venue: St.
George – Ontario.
• November 15, 1998, a task force was formed to look into the
Banal na Pag-aaral (BNP); the task force, which comprised of
priests and parish leaders whose parishes are close to the
BNP headquarter and a lawyer, met regularly with Fr. Balagat;
Result: Bishop Gerald Barnes issued statements on February
10, 1999, and December 8, 2005, banning the BNP in the
Diocese of San Bernardino.
• December 13, 1998, Simbang Gabi Kick-off Celebration and
Cursillo Thanksgiving Mass; Main Celebrant: Most Rev.
Gerald R. Barnes; Theme: Celebrating the 20
th
Anniversary of
the Diocese and Preparing for the Third Millennium; the
Filipino Ministry West End Vicariate Choir, Hispanic,
Vietnamese and Korean choirs collaborated in providing the
music for the combined multicultural celebration, which was
preceded by a grand ultreya of the Filipino Cursillo Movement;
Venue: St. George – Ontario.
In 1999, Willie Bugaoan was elected as the second Chairperson.
In 2003 Msgr. Cesar “Ching” Encinares replaced Fr. Balagat. Ms.
Bugaoan chaired the ministry through the end of 2003. During this
period Fr. Antonio G. Abuan was also appointed by Auxiliary
Bishop Dennis O’Neil as the Chaplain to the Filipino Cursillo in
Christianity Movement. Among the activities were:
• May 8 - 9, 1999, Philippines Boys Choir Concert, a
fundraising of the Ministry of Sisters of Social Services in the
Philippines for the educational fund of the choir members was
supported by the Filipino Ministry – DSB; very poor but
musically gifted members of the choirs were 8- 15 year old
young men from the farm of Bukidnon.
• August 29, 1999 to February 2000, Theology Formation
Program for the Filipino Ministry leaders, a program of the
Parish Ministry Formation Program (PMFP) for the Filipino
Catholics offered by the Ministry Formation Institute (MFI) to
develop and assist leaders of the diocesan and parish Filipino
Ministries, prayer/devotional groups and movements.
• October 29, 1999, First Simbang Gabi Workshop in
collaboration with the Office of Worship; Presenters: Les
Rangel Santos, Liturgy and Music director from Archdiocese
of Los Angeles, and Kathleen Estrella, Music Director – DSB;
Venue: Pastoral Center.
• September 25, 1999, Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz Celebration;
Main Celebrant: Rev. Romy Seleccion, Parochial Vicar of St.
Christopher – Moreno Valley and Director of the Asian and
Pacific Islander Ministry - DSB at the time; Our Lady of
Lourdes Parish - Montclair.
• December 11, 1999, Simbang Gabi Kick-Off Mass; Main
Celebrant: Rev. Romy Seleccion; Choir: Good News Chorale;
Venue: St. Paul the Apostle – Chino Hills.
• April 13, 2000, Vocations Dinner with His Excellency Gerald
R. Barnes. A night for Filipino families from the different
vicariates to hear vocation stories; attended by 250 adults and
children; Venue: Pastoral Center.
• April 13, 2000, Vocations Dinner with His Excellency Gerald
R. Barnes. A night for Filipino families from the different
vicariates to hear vocation stories; attended by 250 adults and
children; Venue: Pastoral Center.
• June 24, 2000, UGNAYAN 2000 (ENCUENTRO 2000) – Iba’t-
ibang Mukha sa Tahanan ng Diyos (Many Faces in God’s
House); Keynote Speaker: Very Rev. Steve Porter, Vicar
Forane, West-End Vicariate; Respondent – Reflection on the
Many Faces in God’s House – Encuentro 2000: Elizabeth
Manangan, Ethnic Coordinator, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton –
Ontario; Respondents – Reflection on the Jubiliee 2000:
Ligaya Butts, Member, Diocesan Jubilee Committee and
Josie Dumdum, Renew 2000 Coordinator, St. Paul the Apostle –
Chino Hills; Presenter – Filipino Culture and Religiosity: Irma
Isip, Consultant, Asian and Pacific Islander Perspectives,
Archdiocese of Los Angeles; Presenter – Hispanic Culture and
Religiosity: Sr. Cecilia Calva, Hispanic Affairs and Encuentro
Coordinator, DSB; Presenter – Native American Culture and
Religiosity: Dean Frank Alaniz; Presenter – Vietnamese Culture
and Religiosity: Sr. Theresa Phan, LHC, Director, Asian-Pacific
Islander Ministry-DSB; Presenter-Korean Culture and Religiosity:
Peter Chung, Korean Community Diocesan Liaison; Presenter –
Tongan Culture and Religiosity: Sr. Clare Tavo, OSH, Tongan
Community Diocesan Liaison; Presenter – African-American
Culture and Religiosity: Rev. Richard McGee, CR, Vicar for
African-American Community; and Presenter- Synthesis: Rev.
Romy Seleccion, MS, Pastor of Our Lady of the Desert – Apple
Valley; Venue: St. Margaret Mary – Chino.
• June 24, 2000, Commissioning of the Board Officers and
Members during Ugnayan 2000: Chairperson Willie Bugaoan;
Youth Coordinator Jose Crespo,
Evangelization/Education/Formation Coordinator Naida Castro;
Christian Service Coordinator Bernadette “Chabs” Aranez;
Stewardship and Finance Coordinator Etchell Alfonso; Family
Life Coordinators Jose and Cely Rafols; and Worship and Payer
Coordinator Amy Foulkes.
• October 7, 2000, Rev. Arturo Joseph Monzon-Balagat’s 25
th
Priestly Ordination Anniversary Celebration to honor his many
accomplishments, particularly his pastoral care of the Filipino
Catholics in the diocese and beyond; attended by Msgr. Gerald
M. Lopez, STL , V.G., many diocesan Filipino priests and 350
Filipino Ministry members of the diocese; Venue: Hilton Hotel –
Ontario.
• December 9, 2000, Most Rev. Gerald Richard Barnes’ Silver
Jubilee of Priesthood Mass; thereafter a commemorative book of
the Bishop’s 25
years of priesthood was presented by Willie
Bugaoan, chairperson of the Commemorative Book, and Tess
Faicol, and one of the lead writers of the book.
• December 15, 2000, Simbang Gabi Kick-Off Celebration; Main
Celebrant: Most Rev. Gerald Barnes; Venue: St. Adelaide –
Highland. January 2001, Rev. Arturo J. Monzon-Balagat was
appointed chairperson of the United States Filipino Catholic
Ministries Council (USFCMC), an organization of Filipino
ministries nationwide; Fr. Balagat replaced Fr. Joe Arong.
• February 18, 2001, A Study Day on the Church in Asia, with a
Special Focus on the Philippine Church; Presenter: (then) Rev.
Luis Antonio Tagle, Diocese of Imus, Cavite, Philippines; Venue:
Pastoral Center – San Bernardino.
• April 7, 2001, First Diocesan Lenten Day of Prayer; all-day
retreat attended by 200 participants; Retreat Director: Fr. Ramon
Cortez; Music provided by the El Shaddai Music Ministry of St.
George – Fontana; Valimer Jansen interpreted part of Genesis in
song; Passion play by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Ontario
parishioners; Venue: Sacred Heart – Rancho Cucamonga.
• June 3, 2001, Asian-Pacific Encuentro sponsored by the Asian-
Pacific Islander Ministry; Keynote Speaker and Eucharistic
Celebrant: Most Rev. Gerald R. Barnes; Music and Liturgical
Dance by El Shaddai Ministry of St. George – Fontana; three
other parishes provided cultural dance numbers; Venue: Venue:
St. Margaret Mary – Chino.
• June 16, 2001, Workshop on Introduction to Music Ministry - A
prerequisite class for the Simbang Gabi Refresher Workshop
and for Music Ministry Certification by the Office of Worship;
designed for Filipinos and everyone involved with music ministry
in the multicultural assemblies; Presenters: Kathleen Estrella
and Sr. Theresa Gomez; Venue: St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton –
Ontario.
History Of The Filipino Ministry, Diocese Of San Bernardino
• June 22, 2001, Simbang Gabi Refresher Workshop;
Presenter: Kathleen Estrella; Venue: St. Catherine of
Alexandria - Rialto.
• September 21, 2001, Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz Celebration; Main
Celebrant: Most. Rev. Dennis O’Neil; Choir: Good New Chorale;
Venue: St. Christopher - Moreno Valley. December 15, 2001,
Simbang Gabi Kick-Off Celebration; a multicultural
celebration; Main Celebrant: Most Rev. Dennis O’Neil; Fr.
Charles Schultz, STD, Pastor; Venue: St. Elizabeth Ann
Seton - Ontario.
December 23, 2001, Simbang Gabi Closing Liturgy; Main
Celebrant: Fr. Ramon P. Cortez; Venue: Our Lady of Mt.
Carmel – Rancho Cucamonga.
• February 14, 2002, St. Valentine’s Day Dinner and Dance; to
raise funds for World Youth Day 2002 participants; Special
Guests: Most Rev. Dennis P. O’Neil and Msgr. Gerald M.
Lopez; Venue: St. George – Ontario.
• March 6 - 7, 2002, Youth Symposium; a two-day symposium
centered on the ministry to and with youth; attended by Youth
Committee Chairperson Jose Crespo; chairperson of the
Commemorative Book; Venue: Pastoral Center.
• April 27, 2002, Link an Evening with the San Bernardino
Youth - Dinner Dance to raise funds for22 scholars of XVII
World Youth Day in Toronto, Canada; St. George – Ontario.
• July 18 – 28, 2002, World Youth Day 2002; Willie Bugaoan
and Naida Castro accompanied a group of youth, young
adults, parents and diocesan seminarians; Venue: Toronto,
Canada.
• September 21, 2002, Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz Celebration;
Main Celebrant: Most Rev. Dennis O’Neil; Venue: Catherine
of Alexandria - Temecula.
• October 12, 2002, Multicultural Family Day – Unity in
Diversity; an all day event sponsored by the Hispanic Affairs,
Asian Pacific Islander Ministry, Assembly for Catholics of
African Descent, Native American Ministry, Office of Social
Concerns and Office of Worship; the Filipino community
contributed in the liturgy and entertainment, lunch and
cultural exhibitions; Venue: Aquinas High School.
• October 25, 2002, Simbang Gabi 2002 Formation Workshop
held at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish. The Simbang Gabi
workshop challenged participants to prepare liturgies that are
authentically Filipino and liturgies that provide opportunities to
bring other cultural groups together with the Filipino in this
celebration. The workshop was presented by Kathleen
Estrella, a musician from the Diocese of San Bernardino.
September 21, 2002, Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz Celebration;
Main Celebrant: Most Rev. Dennis O’Neil; Venue: St.
Catherine of Alexandria – Temecula.
• December 15, 2002, Simbang Gabi Kick-Off, Main Celebrant:
Most Rev. Dennis O’Neil; Venue: St. Catherine - Rialto.
February 14, 2003, St. Valentine’s Day Dinner & Dance; to
raise funds for WYD 2005 participants; St. George – Ontario.
• April 2, 2003, Focus group discussion of the Women’s
Commission, a commission on status of women in church and
in society attended by Willie Bugaoan, Naida Castro and
Merci Littaua; Venue: Pastoral Center.
• May 31, 2003, Asian-Pacific Presence: Harmony in Faith; in
collaboration with The Ministry Formation Institute, Asian-
Pacific Islander Ministry and the Office of Worship; Keynote
Speaker: Fr. Anscar J. Chupungco, OSB, Professor at the
Pontifical Liturgical Institute in Rome; Presenter: Cecile
Motus, Coordinator of Ethnic Affairs, Office of Pastoral Care
of Migrants and Refugees, USCCB; Venue: Pastoral Center –
DSB. September 2003, Atty. Francis Papica, representing
Southern California in the Philippines, received the Bayaning
Filipino Award, a project of Philippines ABS-CBN Broadcasting
Corporation to promote the values of the Filipino people. Atty
Papica, a parishioner of St. Paul the Apostle – Chino Hills, was
nominated by the Filipino Ministry – DSB in collaboration with
UGAT Foundation’s Director Fr. Nilo Tanalega, SJ.
• September 28, 2003, Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz; Main
Celebrant: Rev. Art Balagat: Venue: St. George- Ontario.
December 14, 2003, Simbang Gabi Kick-Off; Theme: Filling
Lives with Hope; Main Celebrant: Msgr. Gerardo Lopez, STL,
Vicar General, and homilist Rev. Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC;
Venue: St. George – Fontana.
December 23, 2003, Simbang Gabi Closing Liturgy; Main
Celebrant: Rev. Art Balagat; followed by the Filipino Priests in
Concert; Venue: St. George – Ontario.
On March 4, 2004, Filipino Ministry – DSB Director Msgr. Encinares
called for an Ad Hoc Committee at the Pastoral Center to: 1) Assess,
evaluate and plan for the future of the Filipino Ministry – DSB; 2)
Conduct a survey to determine the presence and involvement of
Filipinos within the parishes in the Diocese of San Bernardino; and 3)
Review the draft of the proposed revisions to the Filipino Ministry –
DSB’s Constitution and By-Laws. During this period, the
Evangelization and Worship Committees had the following
evangelization and liturgical activities:
• March 12, 2004, Lenten Reflection - Reclaiming the Passion,
Death & Resurrection of Jesus In Our Times, A Reflection of our
Lord’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection According to St.
Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke and St. John; Presenter: Fr.
Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC; Venue: St. George – Ontario.
• May 1, 2004, Conversing and Connecting from the Heart Part I,
a discussions and study Filipino American youth between the
ages of 14 and 19 years old; attended by 75 parents and 60
Filipino American teen-agers; Purpose: to conduct an in-depth
look on the Filipino American family dynamics and psychologies
to help better understand the cultural and value conflicts
encountered by Filipino immigrants and our American born
children at home, school and church settings; Facilitators: Dr.
Jocelyn Pacleb, PHD, a lecturer of Asian American Studies and
Filipina/o American Studies from CSU, Fullerton and Project
leaders Theresa Palang, MBA, and Grace Lacsamana, MA, from
St. Christopher Church, Moreno Valley; a survey questionnaire
with a focus on Parent and Youth Background Information,
Filipino Cultural Values and Practices, Communication and
Issues and Concerns of Filipino American Families specially
designed for the study by Dr. Pacleb was used; Venue: St.
Christopher – Moreno Valley.
• June 19, 2004, Conversing and Connecting from the Heart Part
II; Keynote Speakers: Dr. Patricia Heras, a clinical and
consulting psychologist who has done extensive research
studies on Filipino American youths in San Diego and Texas and
Fr. Art Balagat,the national chairman of the United States
Filipino Catholic Ministries Council (USFCMC) and pastor of St.
George, Ontario; Venue: St. George – Ontario.
• July 2004 – The quantitative study summary of the Filipino
American youth and parent survey was submitted to the Office of
Asian Pacific Islander Ministry (APIM) Office by Dr. Jocelyn
Pacleb, PHD, with an eighty- page narrative interpretation by
Theresa Palang, a sociologist and Grace Lacsamana, a child
psychologist; APIM Office provided the primary grant used for
the six-month study; additional external funding came from the
business community.
• September 3 and 4, 2004, First National Convocation of the
United States Filipino Catholic Ministries Council (USFCMC) in
History Of The Filipino Ministry, Diocese Of San Bernardino
collaboration with the Office of the Pastoral Care of
Migrants and Refugees (PCMR)/Migration and Refugee
Services (MRS) of the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Filipino Ministry –
DSB; Theme: The Filipino Ministry: Enriching the Life
and Mission of the United States Catholic Church;
USFCMC President: Fr. Arturo Joseph Monzon-
Balagat; Venue: St. George – Ontario.
• September 28, 2004, Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz; Main
Celebrant: ; Venue: Our Lady of Lourdes – Montclair.
• October 23, 2004, A Day of Recollection on Faithful
Citizenship; Speakers: Episcopal Vicar of San Bernardino
Very Rev. Bob Miller; Director of the Office of Social Concerns
Jeanette Arnquist; Educator of Philosophy and Theology Tom
Lenert; Sponsored by the United States Filipino Catholic
Ministries (USFCMC) and the Filipino Ministry – DSB in
collaboration with the Office of the Asian-Pacific Islander
Ministry and the Office of Social Concerns, Diocese of San
Bernardino.
• November 2004, Simbang Gabi Workshop;
Presenters/Facilitators: Fr. Dennis Legaspi and Kathleen
Estrella; Venue: St. Edward – Corona.
• December 11, 2004, Simbang Gabi Kick-Off; Theme:
Celebrating the Eucharist - Harmony in Faith, Unity in
Diversity: Main Celebrant: Most Rev. Gerald Barnes: Venue:
Resurrection Church – Fontana.
• December 23, 2004, Simbang Gabi Closing; Main Celebrant:
Msgr. Tom Wallace, Episcopal Vicar, Riverside region;
Venue: St. Christopher – Moreno Valley.
In the latter part of 2004, in the absence of an active Advisory
Board and an active Executive Committee, Msgr. Encinares
organized a Care Taker Committee (CTC) and delegated the
responsibility for the Filipino Ministry – DSB to the CTC. Members
of the CTC included: Fr. Arturo (Art) Monzon-Balagat; Fr. Antonio
(Tony) Abuan, MS; Fr. Benjamin (Ben) E. Alforque, MSC; Romy
Enriquez; Merci Littaua; and Naida C. Castro.
• From February 2005 through May 2006, the CTC reviewed
and revised the Constitution and By-laws, as well as
continued to assess and discuss preliminary plans on how to
direct, organize, and implement various activities during the
period of transition. Among the activities during this critical
period of transition were:
• February 15, 2005, first CTC meeting; discussed preliminary
plans on how to direct, organize, and implement the various
activities of the Filipino Ministry - DSB during the period of
evaluation and transition of leadership.
March 28, 2005, second CTC meeting; among the major
topics of discussion: Constitution and By-Laws of the Filipino
Ministry – DSB and an immediate plan for assessment,
evaluation and planning.
• April 9, 2005, General Meeting; Fr. Tony presented the interim
structure of Filipino Ministry – DSB and introduced the
leadership under the CTC; Venue: St. George – Ontario.
April 30, 2005, First Invitational Choral Song Festival - a
Tribute to St. George’s 100 Year Anniversary; co-sponsored
by the United States Filipino Ministries Council (USFCMC);
proceeds benefited the Junipero Serra House of Formation
and the Office of Vocations, DSB; Coordinator: Fr. Gem
Bandivas; Venue: St. George – Ontario.
June 6, 2005, General Meeting of Filipino Ministry Parish
Leaders; Fr. Tony presented the draft of the proposed
Constitution and By-Laws; Venue: St. George – Ontario.
• June 11, 2005, a Day of Reflection - Meeting God in Our
Transition Times. Presenter: Fr. Dennis Legaspi; Venue: St.
George – Ontario.
• June 26, 2005, a Memorial Tribute to His Eminence Jaime
Cardinal Sin; main celebrant Fr. Ben E. Alforque, MSC; Venue:
St. George – Ontario.
• From August 10 – 24, 2005, World Youth Day; Fr. Art Balagat,
Fr. Ben Alforque, MSC, Alex and Naida Castro, and Jose and
Cely Rafols accompanied a group of youth and young adults (36
participants); Venue: Dioceses of Limburg and Cologne in
Germany.
• September 24, 2005, Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz; Main
Celebrant: Most Rev. Rutilio del Riego; Venue: St. Thomas the
Apostle – Riverside.
• September 16, 2005, First Coordinator of Ministries Formation
Program (CMFP) Graduation; seven Filipino leaders, including
the first Filipino deacon of this diocese, Deacon Donnie Geaga,
and his wife, Charet, completed the CMFP; Main Celebrant:
Most Rev. Gerald R. Barnes; Venue: Holy Rosary Cathedral.
• October 8, 2005, Thanksgiving Mass; Main Celebrant Very Rev.
Robert L. Miller; Homilist: Fr. Ben E. Alforque, MSC; Venue: St.
Elizabeth Ann Seaton – Ontario.
• On November 5, 2005, first session of the Simbang Gabi
Workshop; Presenters/Facilitators: Fr. Ben E. Alforque, MSC, Sr.
Angie Bacleon, and Naida Castro; Diocesan Simbang Gabi
Coordinator: Merci Littaua; Venue: St. Martha – Murrieta.
• November 11, 2005, second session of the Simbang Gabi
Workshop; Presenters/Facilitators: Naida Castro and Sr. Angie
Bacleon assisted by Fr. Fred Costales, MS; Simbang Gabi
Coordinator: Merci Littaua; Venue: St. Paul the Apostle – Chino
Hills.
• November 19, 2005, the CTC continued its review of the
Constitution and By-Laws and made corrections/amendments to
clarify and further improve its presentation. Fr. Gem Bandivas,
J.C.L., Office of Canonical Services, and Bobby Tuazon, Visiting
Professor from the University of the Philippines, assisted in the
review and revision.
• December 1 – 4, 2005, USFCMC National Meeting; Fr. Art
Balagat (President – USFCMC); Fr. Ben E. Alforque, MSC,
Merci Littaua, and Naida C. Castro represented the Filipino
Ministry – DSB in the USFCMC National Meeting; Fr. Ben was
one of the speakers at this meeting; Venue: Northampton, PA.
• December 10, 2005, Simbang Gabi Kick-Off; Diocesan Theme:
The Eucharist: Celebrating Many Faces in God’s House; Main
Celebrant: Msgr. Tom Wallace, EV; Venue: St. Martha –
Murrieta. December 23, 2005, Simbang Gabi Closing Liturgy;
Main Celebrant: Very Rev. Robert L. Miller; Venue: Our Lady of
the Desert - Apple Valley.
• During the year, Parish and Vicariate Meetings with various
Parish Filipino Ministries were held at Mt. Carmel – Rancho
Cucamonga, Sacred Heart – Rancho Cucamonga, St. Adelaide
– Highland, and St. Christopher – Moreno Valley.
• January 15, 2006, First Choral Festival of the Cavite Clergy in
Concert; co-sponsored by the National Asian and Pacific
Catholic Organization of Southern California (NAPCO So. Cal);
funds raised benefited the Diocese of Imus and NAPCO So Cal
(30%); Venue: St. George – Ontario.
• February 16, 2006, Second Choral Festival of the Cavite Clergy
in Concert; co-sponsored by the NAPCO So. Cal; funds raised
benefited the Diocese of Imus and NAPCO So Cal (30%);
Venue: St. Catherine of Alexandria – Riverside
• March 11, 2006, Lenten Reflection - Stewardship: the Challenge
History Of The Filipino Ministry, Diocese Of San Bernardino
of the paschal Mystery to U.S. Christians in Our Time;
Presenter: Very Rev. Ben E. Alforque, MSC, VF, Riverside
Vicariate; co-sponsored by the National Asian Pacific Catholic
Organization (NAPCO); Venue: St. George – Ontario.
Upon approval of the Vice-Chancellor and Director of Pastoral and
Ethnic Affairs Maria Echeverria and the Director of the Asian and
Pacific Islander Ministry Sr. Theresa Phan, the CTC called for a
General Assembly at St. George – Ontario on May 20, 2006. With
Ms. Echeverria and Sr. Theresa present, the proposed
amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws were presented and
ratified.
Fr. Antonio G. Abuan, MS became the third Director and Fr.
Dennis Legaspi as the Spiritual Director; other officers of the
Executive Committee were respectively elected with Naida C.
Castro and Nini Dyogi as Chairperson and Vice- Chairperson,
respectively; Merci Littaua as Secretary; and Vicki dela Cruz as
Treasurer. Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC and Romy Enriquez
were selected and approved by the Board as Members-at-Large of
the Executive Committee.
The following Vicariate Representatives and Alternates were
nominated and approved to represent the vicariates to the Board:
Ralph Millare and Wil Vita – Representative and Alternate
Representative, Hemet Vicariate; Fred Capinpin and Jose Rafols –
Representative and Alternate Representative, Riverside Vicariate;
Rudy Soliman and Lou de Jesus – Representative and Alternate
Representative, High Desert Vicariate; Beth Manangan –
Representative, West-End A Vicariate; Louie David and Owette
Cabildo – Representative and Alternate Representative, West End
B Vicariate; Manny and Tess Alidio – Representative and
Alternate Representative Low Desert Vicariate; and Bing Johnson
and Vangie Fernandez – Representative and Alternate
Representative, San Bernardino Vicariate.
The following were nominated and approved as Coordinators of
the Standing Committees: Jose and Cely Rafols – Famiy Life,
Edwin and Rowena Gabriel – Youth and Young Adult, Helen Seno
– Worship, Sr. Niña Achocoso and Minda Ramos –
Evangelization, Frank Lansang – Social Concerns and Owette
Cabildo – Temporalities (Finance).
The first Executive Committee meeting was on July 24, 2006, at
St. Catherine of Alexandria – Riverside; among the subject
matters discussed at the meeting include strengthening of Parish
Filipino Ministry, Filipino Ministry - DSB's E-Newsletter; and the
probability of a Filipino Ministry - DSB Office and a part time staff
at the Pastoral Center. Keeping in mind the importance of
communication,consultation, collaboration, connection and
coordination with the Filipino Catholic community, the Executive
Committee continued to work on the Pastoral Plan, reviewing the
history of the Filipino Ministry – DSB, observing and identifying
religious and cultural practices and affiliations, as well as inquiring
into and identifying the different facets and needs of the Filipino
Catholics, such as:
• How can we reach out to those who have not yet heard of
our ministry?
• How can we nurture those who are already involved in
our ministry?
• How can we bring back those who have left our ministry
and parish community?
In carrying out the mission, purpose, goals and objectives of the
Filipino Ministry – DSB, the officers and members of the Board,
Executive and Standing Committees moved forward with the
following activities prior to the first Board Meeting:
• From June 21 - June 30, 2006, the Filipino Ministry - DSB
sponsored a youth and young adult exposure program,
Discovering and Rediscovering the Filipino Roots - A Journey
to the Philippines, to promote multicultural diversity and harmony
as richness in the Diocese of San
Bernardino.The program exposed the youth and young adults to
urban anrural communities in Manila, Cavite, Agusan del Sur
and Surigao del Norte. It included a four-day stay with the
Lumads (an indigenous community) at the San Luis Lumad
Community High School in Agusan del Sur, a three-day stay at
the beautiful white-sand beach resort in Siargao Island, Surigao
del Norte, a visit at the Urios University in Butuan, as well
as sightseeing and shopping in Manila, Quezon City and Cebu.
The pioneers of the program were: Eddie Banuelos (St. George -
Ontario); Roman, Alexander and Monica Castro (St. George -
Fontana); Richelle Argenal (St. George - Fontana); and Jomer
Laurenaria (Cavite, Philippines). The pioneers were
accompanied by Alex and Naida Castro (St. George - Fontana),
Felicitas Cenica (Cavite, Philippines) and Lorna Balatay (Manila,
Philippines). Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque. MSC and the Sisters of
Missionaries of the Assumption served as guides and facilitators
of the program.
June 9 – July 3, 2006, officers and members or the Executive
Committee and Board of Directors supported and attended the
first National Asian Pacific Catholic Convocation (NAPCC)
sponsored by the National Asian Pacific Catholic Organization
(NAPCO) in Arlington, VA. Among the presenters were: Fr.
Arturo Monzon-Balagat, President of the NAPCO, and Very Rev.
Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC, VF.
• August 5, 2006, the Executive Committee held a Strategic
Planning Meeting to organize its plan of developing short- and
long-term goals and finalize the program for the series of Goal
Setting Workshops.
During the first Board Meeting on August 9, 2006, at the Pastoral
Center, among the topics discussed were issues/concerns regarding
Filipino Ministries at the parish level, including existence and
monitoring of various Filipino religious organizations and movements,
forming Vicariate leadership teams, strengthening parish Filipino
Ministries, lay parish leader consultation meetings, parish and
vicariate visitation meetings, E-Newsletter, Filipino Ministry – DSB
Office and Staff; Commissioning of Officers and Members of the
Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Standing Committee,
and various upcoming events.
On November 19, 2006, at the combined Thanksgiving Luncheon
and Board Meeting, the Executive Committee presented to the Board
of Directors the One-Year (2006 – 2007) Plan of Action of the Filipino
Ministry – DSB. The 2006 -2007 Plan of Action for review and
approval.
The Plan of Action, as approved, included the specific goals and
objectives of the Executive Committee and the various activities
planned by each Standing Committee based on committee objectives
(described in the Constitution and By-Laws) as follows:
Executive Committee
Goal 1. To organize the Filipino Community
Objectives:
1. To strengthen Filipino Ministries in the Diocese of San
Bernardino;
2. To expand Filipino Ministry in the Diocese;
3. To consolidate the existing parishes into clusters/vicariates;
4. To network with various Filipino communities/organizations
locally, nationally and internationally; and
5. To support and oversee the plans and activities of the
Standing Committees: Family Life, Youth and Young Adult,
Worship, Evangelization and Temporalities (Finance)
Committees (see below).
History Of The Filipino Ministry, Diocese Of San Bernardino
Goal 2. To facilitate evangelization by using formation &
catechesis relevant to Filipino Culture, etc.
Objectives:
1. To set up curriculum intended for Filipino Communities
and religious organizations;
2. To promote or provide Filipino educational development;
and
3. To establish internal leadership and education program.
Among the activities accomplished through each Standing
Committee according to the committee objectives are as follows:
Family Life Committee
• February 24, 2007, Reconciling Differences – How to Resolve
Conflicts in Families, Church, & Organizations; Presenter:
Msgr. Cesar “Ching” Encinares; Venue: St. Thomas the
Apostle - Riverside. April 11, 2008, Asian-Pacific Islander
Dinner with Bishop Barnes; in collaboration with the Asian-
Pacific Islander Ministry – DSB; Venue: St. George, Ontario.
• May 3, 2008, Dinner/Dance Reception in celebration of the
15
th
anniversary of the Filipino Ministry – DSB in collaboration
with the Youth and Young Adults, Evangelization and Social
Concerns Committees; Venue: St. George - Ontario.
• May 31 – June 1, 2008, Marriage Encounter; Facilitator: Fr.
Nick Gito, MSC; Venue: St. Catherine of Alexandria -
Riverside.
Youth and Young Adult Committee
• April 21, 2007, Asian-Pacific Youth Day – Bridging the Gap;
sponsored by the Asian and Pacific Islander Ministry;
Eucharistic Celebrant: Very Rev. Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC;
Venue: St. George, Ontario. June 18 – July 3, 2007,
Discovering and Re-Discovering the Philippines, a Philippine
Exposure Program introducing Filipino-Americans and their
friends to Philippine history, culture and present-day
realities – the survival of the poor and the struggles of the
marginalized for justice, peace, and integrity of creation;
participants visited/toured and interviewed the Filipino people
in the following areas:
• Don Roberto’s Winery, Imus, Cavite – produces
sweet and dry mango wine and coffee wine from
Philippine yellow and green mangoes, and coffee.
• General Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine, Kawit, Cavite – home of the
first Philippine President.
• Isla Puting Bato, Tondo, Manila – where our
participants had an overnight stay with the
community over the breakwaters of Manila Bay.
• House of Congress, Quezon City – for a briefing on
Philippine Government.
• CENPEG (Center for People Empowerment in
Government) – UP, Diliman, Quezon City –a non-
profit organization. Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac – where
farmers were massacred in their struggle to own the
land they till.
• Fr. Saturnino Urios University, Butuan City, Agusan
del Norte – participants were introduced to the
university life, programs, and the “American Dream”
of the young
• Filipinos. Llumad Community High School, Agusan
del Sur – the group enjoyed a two-day stay with the
students and learned the indigenous peoples’ struggles for
cultural identity, their claim for ancestral land and domain
and their struggle for integrity of creation.
• Fine white sand beaches in General Luna, San Luis,
Surigao del Norte (aka Surfing Capital of the Philippines);
the group enjoyed boating, swimming, and snorkling.
• Meeting with the children the unsung heroes of the
Philippines, Cebu City – group learned the struggles and
fate of the marginalized and their fight for human dignity and
liberty.
April 26, 2007, Asian-Pacific Youth Day; in collaboration with the
Asian and Pacific Ministry – DSB; Venue: St. George - Ontario.
May 31, 2008, Priestly Ordination; in collaboration with the
Office of Vocations – DSB; Venue: St. Paul the Apostle - Chino
Hills.
Worship Committee
September 30, 2006, Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino
Saint; Main Celebrant: Most Rev. Rutillo del Riego; con-
celebrants Fr. Alex Castillo, Fr. Gem Bandivas, Fr. Oscar
Reynoso, Fr. Tony Abuan, Fr. Romy Seleccion, Fr. Gerald
Vidad, Fr. Ronald Guzman, Fr. Fred Costales, Fr. Chris Subosa,
Fr. Dennis Legaspi and Msgr. Cesar Encinares. Officers and
members of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee
were commissioned during the Mass; Venue; St. George –
Ontario.
October 28, 2006, first session of Simbang Gabi Workshop;
Presenter/Facilitator: Fr. Dennis; 47 parish leaders in
attendance; Venue: Sacred Heart Church - Rancho Cucamonga.
• November 11, 2006, second session of Simbang Gabi
Workshop; Presenters/Facilitators: Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque,
MSC and Naida Castro; 40 parish leaders in attendance; Venue:
St. Edward – Corona.
• December 9, 2006, Simbang Gabi Kick-Off; Diocesan Theme:
Stewardship; Main Celebrant: Most Rev. Gerald R. Barnes;
Venue: Sacred Heart - Rancho Cucamonga.
• December 23, 2006, Closing Sambaing Gabi Celebration; Main
Celebrant: Most Rev. Retile Del Diego; Venue: Corpus Christi -
Corona.
• January 21, 2007, Welcoming Christ in the Migrant – Mass; in
collaboration with the Office of Social Concerns and Asian-
Pacific Islander Ministry; Venue: Our Lady of the Rosary
Cathedral, San Bernardino.
• May 13, 2007, Misa Ng Bayan, - dedicated to an honest, orderly,
& peaceful (HOPE) election in the Philippines; Main Celebrant:
Very Rev. Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC; Venue: St. Christopher -
Moreno Valley.
• May 25, 2007, Priestly Ordination of Fr. James Oropel – first
Filipino priest ordained in the DSB; Filipino Ministry – DSB
assisted the Office of Vocations in organizing the reception and
program after the ordination; Venue: Sacred Heart, Rancho
Cucamonga.
• September 29, 2007, Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz – First Filipino
Saint; Main Celebrant: Rev. Romy Seleccion; Venue: St.
Catherine of Alexandria - Temecula.
• December 15, 2007, Simbang Gabi Kick-Off; the strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities, and threats faced by each
committee; to determine/discern concrete concerns, response
and tasks; and to develop a one-year program of action; Venue:
St. Thomas the Apostle – Riverside.
December 23, 2007, Simbang Gabi Closing; Main Celebrant:
Msgr. Tom Wallace, Episcopal Vicar of the Riverside Region;
Venue: St. Catherine of Alexandria - Riverside
History Of The Filipino Ministry, Diocese Of San Bernardino
• January 13, 2008, 2
nd
Annual National Migration Mass: From
Many, One Family of God; sponsored by the Office of Social
Concerns and the Asian and Pacific Islander Ministry – DSB;
Main Celebrant: Most Rev. Rutilio del Riego; Venue: Holy
Rosary Cathedral – San Bernardino..
• May 3, 2008, Eucharistic Celebration of the 15
th
Anniversary
of the Filipino Ministry – DSB and candlelight procession of
the images of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Our
Lady of Antipolo), San Lorenzo Ruiz, Blessed Pedro
Calungsod and Venerable Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo;
Main Celebrant: Fr. Romy Seleccion, MS; Venue: St. George
– Ontario.
• June 14, 2008, Misa Para sa Inang Bayan – A
Celebration of Philippine Independence Day; Presider:
Fr. Manuel dela Cruz, MS, Provincial Superior of the La
Salettes; Homilist: Fr. Romy Seleccion; con-celebrants:
Fr. Jose Goopio, SVD, and Fr. Fred Costales, MS;
Venue: St. Christopher – Moreno Valley.
Evangelization Committee
• August 11, 2006, Session I of the Goal Setting Workshop,
Pastoral Planning Process; Presenter/Facilitator: Fr. Benjamin
E. Alforque, MSC; Venue: Sacred Heart - Rancho
Cucamonga. The objectives of the workshop were:
• To establish a working plan of action for each committee;
• To have ammon understanding and collaborative
ministry;
To learn and practice the process of firming up in the
organization of committees on the
parish/vicariate/diocesan level;
• To come up with a working paper that will help us in the
ministry;
• To create a collaborative ministry; and
• To consult with the participants in responding to the needs of
our communities. On August 25, 2006, Session 2 of the Goal
Setting Workshop; Facilitators: Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque and
Fr. Dennis Legaspi; thereafter Standing Committee
Coordinators held committee meetings to analyze
the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats faced
by each committee; to determine/discern concrete concerns,
response and tasks; and to develop a one-year program of
action; Venue: St. Thomas the Apostle – Riverside.
• On October 13, 2006, Session 3 of the Goal Setting
Workshop; Committee coordinators reported on the results of
their discussions; Venue: St. Catherine of Alexandria -
Riverside.
• November 25, 2006, Lenten Reflection - “Are You the One
Who is to Come or Shall We Wait for Another? (A Biblico-
Theological Reflection on Jesus: the Image of the Steward);
Presenter: Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC; Venue: St. George
– Fontana.
• March 4, 2007, A Lenten Reflection – Filipino Perspective, in
collaboration with the Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of
Los Angeles; Presenter: Most Rev. Antonio Luis “Chito”
Tagle, Bishop, Diocese of Imus, Cavite, Philippines; Venue:
The Holy Spirit Church - Fountain Valley.
• March 30, 2007, A Lenten Recollection; Fr. Dennis Legaspi;
Venue: Pastoral Center.
• October 13, 2007, first session of Simbang Gabi Workshop;
Presenter: Fr. Cristobal Subosa; Venue: St. Peter & St. Paul –
Alta Loma.
• October 27, 2007, second session of Simbang Gabi
Workshop; Presenters: Deacon Donnie Geaga and Grethel
Cabison; Venue: St. Catherine of Alexandria - Riverside.
February 14, 2008, Convocation of Filipino Devotions, Prayer
Groups and Movements; in collaboration with the Office of
MariaEcheverria, Vice-Chancellor and Director of Apostolic and
Ethnic Affairs; Emcee: June Bitanga; Speakers: Fr. Tony Abuan,
MS; Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC; Naida Castro, MSLM;
Maria Echeverria; and Fr. Dennis Legaspi; Venue: St. George –
Ontario.
• March 14 – 15, 2008, Lenten Day of Prayer and Reflection:
Spirituality of Christian Leadership; Emcee: Nini Dyogi, Vice
Chairperson, Filipino Ministry - DSB; Speakers: Fr. Tony Abuan,
MS, Director, Filipino Ministry - DSB; Sr. Nina Achocoso, MSM,
Coordinator, English Religious Program, St. Anthony – San
Jacinto; Fr. Ben E. Alforque, MSC, Educator and Biblical
Theologian; Naida C. Castro, MSLM, Chairperson, Filipino
Ministry - DSB; Maria Echeverria, Vice Chancellor and Director
of the Apostolic and Ethnic Affairs – DSB; Fr. Dennis Legaspi,
Spiritual Director, Filipino Ministry – DSB; and Cecile Motus,
Assistant Director, Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church;
Venue: Divine Word Retreat House – Riverside.
May 23 – May 27, 2008, Asian Theology Conference and
Consultative Meeting on Asian and Pacific Ministries; the
members of the Board representing the Filipino Ministry – DSB
were Fr. Arturo Balagat, Fr. Antonio G. Abuan, MS, Naida C.
Castro, and Merci Littaua, together with Social Concerns
Committee Member Maria Sanchez. Ms. Castro reported on the
activities of the Filipino Ministry – DSB and gave a copy of the
documentary “Discovering and Re-discovering the Philippines to
Cecile Motus, Assistant Director of the Secretariat of Cultural
Diversity in the Church, Asian and Ethnic Affairs, USCCB;
Venue: Tucson, AZ.
Social Concerns Committee
• June 2006, provided financial assistance to benefit the victims of
the mudslides in Leyte.
• March 12 – 14, 2007, Ecumenical Conference on Human Rights
in the Philippines; attended by Fr. Benjamin E. Alforque, MSC
and Naida Castro as representatives from Filipino Ministry –
DSB; Venue: Washington, DC.
• March 21 – 25, 2007, Permanent People’s Tribunal – attended
by Fr. Art Balagat as representative from Filipino Ministry – DSB;
Venue:The Hague, Netherlands.
• April 28, 2007, “AHA! GANITO NA NGA BA?” The Catholic
Social Teachings and the Philippine Realities: Challenge to U.S.
Catholics; Presenters: VERNE SCHWEIGER, Office of Social
Concerns, DSB and MARIE HILAO-ENRIQUEZ, Secretary
General – KARAPATAN (Human Rights Organization in the
Philippines); Venue: St. George - Ontario.
• July 15 – 20, 2007, Social Concerns Summer Institute; Filipino
Ministry – DSB represented by Social Concerns Coordinator
Frank Lansang; Venue: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
• August 10, 2007, Forum: Analysis and Prospects of
Contemporary Philippine Society; Guest Speaker: Marie Hilao-
Enriquez, Secretary General – KARAPATAN, an alliance of
human rights organizations in the Philippines committed to the
defense of people’s rights and civil liberties, supporting the
struggles of oppressed Filipinos for justice and genuine peace
and development; Venue: St. George – Ontario. February 9,
2008, Bishops’ Dinner; funded six representatives in solidarity
with the fund raising campaigns of our Bishops; Venue:
Riverside Convention Center.
• February 9, 2008, provided financial assistance to the
diocese.for the victims of the fire that spread in the mountain
resorts of San Bernardino County.
• April 18, 2009, provided financial assistance to KARAPATAN, a
non-government organization in the Philippines, to provide
scholarships for the children of desperciados (victims of human
History Of The Filipino Ministry, Diocese Of San Bernardino
rights violations) in the Philippines.
• April 8, 2008, provided financial assistance to Tulong Sa
Inang Bayan to assist in the search for Jonas Burgos, a victim
of human rights violations in the Philippines April 24, 2008,
provided financial assistance to support Iraqi Catholic youth
and young adults attending World Youth Day 2008.
• April 29, 2008, supported 25 Filipino youth to attend the 2008
Asian-Pacific Youth Day ; Venue: St. George – Ontario.
• April 29, 2008, provided financial assistance in funding
projects of the Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace
(EMJP) in the Philippines. June 26, 2008, provided financial
assistance to Iskolar ng Bayan to provide scholarships for five
children in the Philippines.
Temporalities (Finance) Committee
• July 8, 2007, first Filipino Ministry DSB GOLF
TOURNAMENT; Event Coordinators: Dixon and Jessie
Cristobal; proceeds to benefit various activities of the Filipino
Ministry - DSB, such as humanitarian assistance for natural
and man-made calamities, Youth and Young Adult
Educational/Exposure Programs on Filipino Roots and World
Youth Day 2008; Venue: Moreno Valley Golf Course.
July 2008, first Filipino Ministry – DSB Directory; Purpose: To
commemorate 15 years of service in the Diocese of San Bernardino;
it is a means for the leadership in the Filipino Ministry – DSB to
express its deepest gratitude to the Filipino community for its
generous support of the programs and activities of the Filipino
Ministry – DSB; the directory will serve as a tool for individuals,
families, parishes and other organizations to outreach and
promote intra-and inter-cultural collaboration in the larger
Church community.
Since the inception of the diocesan Filipino Ministry to date, the
Constitution and By-Laws have been amended twice, the latest of
which added a third Member-at-Large. Appointed to this position
was Nel Rabe of St. Peter and St. Paul in Alta Loma. Also,
changes in parish, family and/or professional lives of our
volunteers have resulted in new leaderships in the Vicariate and
Standing Committees. Responding to the needs for new Vicariate
Representatives and Alternates in the Hemet Vicariate were Vic
Eslava and Oscar Rull and in the Riverside Vicariate were Jose
Rafols and Benjie Lungay, respectively. Youth and Young Adult
Coordinators Edwin and Rowena Gabriel were replaced by
Christina Galit of St. Peter and St. Paul and, thereafter, June and
Techie Bitanga of St. Catherine of Temecula. Evangelization
Committee Coordinators Sr. Niña Achocoso and Minda Ramos
were replaced by Bernadette “Chabs” Aranez. When Frank
Lansang became the Alternate Representative for West-end A
Vicariate he was replaced by Bernadette “Chabs” Aranez. With
the resignation of Cora Viray on or about January 2008, the
Coordinator position for the Worship Committee remains open to
date.
Fifteen years later, here we are. Many of us have actively
participated and are involved in parish and diocesan ministries:
• Promoting formation and providing assistance and guidance
in the organizational development of a Filipino Ministry at the
parish level; Assisting in the pastoral care and service to the
Filipino community particularly the poor and oppressed
through parish and diocesan programs;
• Facilitating adult, young adult and youth evangelization by
using formation and catechesis relevant to Filipino culture and
religiosity;
• Fostering Filipino faith communities in accordance with
Filipino family values and meaningful worship while promoting
dialogues and solidarity with other cultures;
• Promoting the vocations of priesthood, deaconate, religious life
and lay ministries; and
• Promoting international solidarity with other ethnic communities
and nationals in the larger Church community. Our Present and
Future Needs and Continuing Challenges
• On-going education/formation of our people: a graduated
curriculum.
• Developing leadership and organizing skills among the new and
the young. Determining our significant dates for common
celebrations and advocacies.
• Identifying Movements of Hope in the country of origin, in Asia-
Pacific, in the US Church and Society, local, national and international.
• Establishing solidarity ties with Movements of Hope through
communication, mutual education and exchange, partnering in
socio-economic projects and joint advocacy and prophetic
actions.
• Consultation with the youth, starting from the local community
level to the national level to evolve their own pastoral program.
• Consultation with children and their parents, starting from the
local community level to the national level to evolve a pastoral
program for children.
Our Future Programs and Upcoming Major Events
In addition to our annual diocesan-wide liturgical events and
reflections during lent and advent seasons, the Filipino Ministry –
DSB continues to develop programs to deepen our understanding
and strengthen our faith, religiosity and culture as Filipino Catholics in
the Diocese of San Bernardino. Among our future programs and
activities include but are not limited to the following:
• September 2008, Launching of the Filipino Ministry – DSB’s
Documentary: Discovering and Re-Discovering the Philippines;
sponsored by the Youth and Young Adult, Social Concerns and
Evangelization Committees.
• November 4 – 20, 2008, A Journey Through Biblical Israel,
Palestine, Jordan and Egypt - A Biblico-Theological Reflection of
and in the Holy Land with Fr. Ben E. Alforque, MSC and Fr. Tony
G. Abuan, MS; sponsored by the Evangelization and Family Life
Committees.
• January 23 – February 6, 2009, Medical Mission and 2009
Discovering and Re-Discovering the Philippines: Filipino
Ministry – DSB at work in Isabela and Mindoro; sponsored by the
Youth and Young Adult, Social Concerns and Evangelization
Committees.
• March 28 – 29, 2009, 2009 Asian and Pacific Pastoral Institute;
keynote speakers: Most Rev. Oscar A. Solis, Auxiliary Bishop,
Archdiocese of Los Angeles and Chairperson of the
Subcommittee of Asian and Pacific Affairs and Most Rev.
Dominic Luong, Auxiliary Bishop, Diocese of Orange; in
collaboration with the Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Affairs
of the USCCB’s Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church
(CCDC), the Ministry Formation Institute (MFI) – DSB, the Asian
and Pacific Islander Ministry – DSB, and the Filipino Ministry –
DSB; Venue: Pastoral Center.
(contributors: Fr. Art Balagat, Jessie Cristobal, Willie Bugaoan, Dr.
Freda Sumalangcay, Josie Dumdum, present Officers and Members
of Executive Committee and Coordinators of the Standing
Committees)
Constitution And By Laws Of the Filipino Ministry, Diocese Of San Bernardino
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE
FILIPINO MINISTRY OF THE
DIOCESE OF SAN BERNARDINO
Mission Statement:
We, the Filipino Faithful of the Diocese of San Bernardino,
sharing equal dignity with the larger Church community and
called to be one body, unite with our Bishops in a worshiping,
serving and evangelizing Filipino Ministry. As proactive
members of our parish communities, we pledge to use our gifts
and talents for the pursuit of justice, peace, integrity of creation,
and Christian Unity.
ARTICLE I
PURPOSE, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Purpose and Goals:
The purpose of the Filipino Ministry is to assist the Bishops,
priests and personnel of the Diocese of San Bernardino in their
pastoral outreach to the Filipino community in order to facilitate
the latter’s inculturation and integration into the larger Church
community. This would allow the Filipino culture and religiosity
to help enrich and strengthen the faith of the larger Church
community by promoting the Gospel values of “maka-Diyos”
(pro-God), “maka-tao” (pro-people), “maka-Bayan” (patriotic),
“maka-buhay” (for life) and “maka-kalikasan” (for the integrity
of creation).
Objectives:
The objectives of the Filipino Ministry of the Diocese of San
Bernardino are:
1. To promote formation and provide assistance and guidance in
the organizational development of a Filipino Ministry at the
parish level.
2. To assist in the pastoral care and service to the Filipino
community particularly the poor and oppressed through parish
and diocesan programs;
3. To facilitate adult, young adult and youth evangelization by
using formation and catechesis relevant to Filipino culture and
religiosity;
4. To foster Filipino faith communities in accordance with
Filipino family values and meaningful worship while promoting
dialogues and solidarity with other cultures;
5. To promote the vocations of priesthood, deaconate, religious
life and lay ministries; and
6. To promote international solidarity with other ethnic
communities and nationals in the larger Church community.
Status:
1. The Filipino Ministry is a non-profit organization under the
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino.
2. The assets and income of this Ministry are earmarked solely for
the mission, purpose, goals and objectives of the organization.
Therefore, no part of the profits or net income of the Ministry
shall be used for the benefit of any director, trustee, officer or
member thereof, or for any private individual.
1) The Board of Directors is a deliberative body on
3. The whole Filipino Ministry is under the leadership and guidance
of the Roman Catholic Bishop of San Bernardino, a corporate sole,
integrating it as a non-profit organization.
Main Office:
The main office of the Filipino Ministry of the Diocese of San
Bernardino for its business transactions is at the Diocesan Pastoral
Center, 1201 East Highland Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92404. It
may also have offices in other places as its business may require and
as the Board of Directors may designate.
ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIPS
Memberships:
1. Any Filipino Catholic who resides in the counties of San
Bernardino and Riverside and who believes in the mission, purpose,
goals and objectives of the Filipino Ministry of the Diocese of San
Bernardino may become a member shall constitute the General
Assembly.
2. Any non-Filipino Catholic who supports the mission, purpose,
goals and objectives of the Filipino Ministry of the Diocese of San
Bernardino may also join the organization as associate member.
3. Any action or decision made in pursuit of the mission, purpose,
goals and objectives of the Filipino Ministry shall require the
approval of the Board of Directors or its designated officers, as the
case may be.
ARTICLE III
GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1. General Assembly:
a. Nature and Composition
The General Assembly is the highest consultative body of
the Filipino Ministry.
b. Duties and Responsibilities
1) The General Assembly shall review the mission, purpose,
goals and objectives of the Filipino Ministry, as well as
deliberate on and amend this Constitution and By-Laws
subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
2) Resolutions or issues and concerns raised at the General
Assembly shall be sent to and received by the Board of
Directors for action in a consultative and collaborative way.
To facilitate adult, young adult and youth evangelization by
using formation and catechesis relevant to Filipino culture
and religiosity;
c. Meetings.
The General Assembly shall convene regularly once a year
and shall be presided by the Diocesan Director or the
Chairperson of the Filipino Ministry.
2. Board Of Directors
a. Duties and Responsibilities
Constitution And By Laws Of the Filipino Ministry, Diocese Of San Bernardino
1) The Board of Directors is a deliberative body on
policies, actions, or issues pertaining to the Filipino
Ministry and shall action matters received from the
General Assembly.
2) It shall serve as an Advisory Body to the Bishops of the
Diocese, as well as resource group for pastors and other
Diocesan bodies among Filipino communities.
3) The Board of Directors shall consist of the following
members, each having one vote:
i. The Director of Ethnic Affairs, the Director of Asian
and Pacific Islander Ministry, and the Diocesan
Director of the Filipino Ministry. These members
shall assume their seats on the Board by virtue of their
positions in the Diocese of San Bernardino following
their appointment by the Bishop of the Diocese.
ii. The Spiritual Director is appointed by the Director of
the Filipino Ministry by virtue of his position amongst
the Diocesan Filipino Clergy.
iii. The National Consultant/Filipino Apostolate – USCCB
sits on the Board by virtue of his/her position.
iv. One representative with one alternate from each
vicariate as nominated by the General Assembly
subject, however, to the approval by a majority of the
Board of Directors.
v. The members of the Board of Directors shall serve a
regular term of three years to begin on July 1 of the
first year until June 30 of the third year.
vi. The members of the Board of Directors shall elect the
officers of the Board.
b. Duties and Responsibilities
1) The Board of Directors shall be the highest policy-making
body of the Filipino Ministry.
2) The Board shall act as the arm of the Bishop of the
Diocese in the Ministry among Filipino Catholics within
the Diocese and shall be accountable to them.
3) It shall ensure that the needs and aspirations of the Filipino
people are satisfactorily addressed by the Diocese of San
Bernardino.
4) It shall supervise the officers, agents and employees of
the Filipino Ministry and ensure that their duties and
responsibilities are carried out accordingly. Ministry and
ensure
5) It shall perform any other duties assigned to them as a
Board or individually under the Constitution and By-Laws.
6) It shall register their addresses with the Secretary of the
Ministry where notices of the meetings may be mailed.
c. Compensation. All the Directors shall serve in the Board
without pay.
d. Removal. A member of the Board may be removed from
office if he/she is declared of unsound mind by an order of
the court or convicted of felony, or has incurred three
consecutive absences without prior notice.
e. Vacancies. A seat in the Board of Directors is deemed vacant
or to be filled upon the removal, death, or resignation of a
Director or whenever the number of members authorized by
the Constitution and By-Laws is increased by an amendment.
The vacancy or new seat shall be filled by appointment of the
Board or the Bishop of the Diocese with the new member
finishing the term of the predecessor, or by nominations and
election of the General Assembly, as the case may be.
f. Meetings
1) Regular Meetings. The Board of Directors shall hold its
regular meetings twice a year every six months.
2) Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the
Director of Ethnic Affairs or his/her delegate, the Diocesan
Director or Chairperson.
3) Place of Meetings. The regular and special meetings of the
Board shall be held at the main office of the Filipino
Ministry or at any place designated by the Board.
4) Written Notice. A written notice about the date, time, place,
and agenda of the regular meetings shall be sent to every
member of the Board at least three weeks in advance or at
least three days in the case of special meetings.
5) Binding and Compliance. Every act or decision made by a
majority of the Board of Directors present at the meeting
where there is a quorum or is consented to in writing by any
member is deemed binding to, and shall be complied with,
by all members of the Board and, hence, of the Filipino
Ministry.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
1. Officers and Members. The officers of the Board of Directors
are the Director of Ethnic Affairs (Ex-Officio), the Director of
Asian and Pacific Islander Ministry (Ex-Officio), the National
Consultant/Filipino Apostolate – USCCB (Ex-Officio), Diocesan
Director, Spiritual Director, Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson,
Secretary, and Treasurer. The other members of the Board
include a representative from each vicariate.
2. Qualifications. Any member of the Board of Directors can
qualify as an officer of the said Board.
3. Ex-Officio Officers. The Director of Ethnic Affairs, the
Director of Asian and Pacific Islander Ministry, and the
National Consultant/Filipino Apostolate – USCCB shall be
Ex-Officio Officers of the Board of Directors.
4. Election of Other Officers. The Chairperson, Vice-
Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected by the
Board of Directors at their first meeting following the
formation of the Filipino Ministry. A majority vote shall be
necessary to elect each officer. Their election shall be subject to
the approval of the Bishops of the Diocese or his delegate.
5. Term of Office and Renewal. Except for the Director of
Ethnic Affairs, the Director of Asian and Pacific Islander
Ministry, and the National Consultant/Filipino Apostolate –
Constitution And By Laws Of the Filipino Ministry, Diocese Of San Bernardino
USCCB, the Term of Office of both appointed and elected
officers and members of the Board shall be three years
following the fiscal year of the Diocese of San Bernardino.
Their term of office is renewable for another three years only
subject to re-appointment or re-election, as the case may be.
6. Compensation. The officers of the Board of Directors
shall serve their office without pay.
7. Removal of Officers and Members: The Bishop may
remove officers seating on the Board by virtue of their
positions. Other officers and members may be removed from
office anytime but for a cause and with due process by a
majority vote of the Board of Directors held in a meeting
called for that purpose.
8. Vacancies: Any elected position in the Board of Directors
shall be deemed vacant upon the death, resignation or removal
of the concerned officer or upon failure of the members in any
election to fill the office. The Board of Directors may declare
vacant an office if the officer concerned is declared of unsound
mind by a court order or convicted of a felony or upon receipt
of such officer’s notice to refuse or resign from the position.
The vacancies will be filled by a majority vote of the members
in a meeting held for that purpose.
9. Duties and Responsibilities of the Officers of the
Board of Directors:
a. Diocesan Director: The Diocesan Director must be a
member of the Filipino Clergy in the Diocese of San
Bernardino. The power of crisis intervention shall be vested
in the Diocesan Director. The duties and responsibilities of
the Diocesan Director are:
1) To implement the mission, purpose, goals and objectives
of the Filipino Ministry;
2) To represent the Filipino Ministry in the vicariate,
diocesan, regional and national levels in coordination
with the Chairperson of the Board of Directors;
3) To supervise, oversee and administer the functions of the
Executive Committee in collaboration with members of
the said Committee;
4) To network with the different diocesan bodies;
5) To meet periodically with vicariate and parochial leaders;
and
6) To advocate for the Filipino Ministry in the Diocese.
b. Spiritual Director: The Spiritual Director must be a
member of the Filipino Clergy in the Diocese of San
Bernardino. The duties and responsibilities of the Spiritual
Director are:
1) To act as Spiritual Director for the different Filipino
devotions movements in coordination with the Diocesan
counterpart;
2) To liaise with priests of the Diocese and the Filipino
community, as well as non-Filipino non-Catholic
communities; and
3) To represent the Filipino Ministry in diocesan, regional
or national functions when the Diocesan Director is
unavailable.
c. Chairperson. The Chairperson shall preside over meetings
of the Board of Directors and shall perform all other duties
and responsibilities incident to the office as required by the
Constitution and By-Laws, or which may be assigned to
the Chairperson by the Board.
d. Vice Chairperson. In the absence of the Chairperson, the
Vice-Chairperson shall preside over and conduct meetings
of the Board of Directors and perform other duties and
responsibilities assigned to him/her by the Board.
e. Secretary. The Secretary shall:
1) Certify and keep at the main office of the Ministry the
original and/or copy of its Constitution and By-Laws as
amended to date;
2) Be the Custodian of the records of the Filipino Ministry and
shall keep at the main office of the Ministry a book of
minutes of all meetings of the Board, recording therein the
time and place of the meetings, how authorized, notice
thereof given, the names of the directors present and the
proceedings;
3) Ensure that all notices are given in accordance with the
Constitution and By-Laws or as may be required by law;
and make available for inspection, during regular office
hours, to any officer the Constitution and By-Laws, as well
minutes of the Board meetings.
d. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall keep the records of all
incoming and outgoing funds and shall make regular
financial reports to the Board of Directors. The Treasurer
shall also perform all other duties incident to the office and
such other duties and responsibilities as required by the
Constitution and By-Laws, or as may be assigned to the
Treasurer by the Board.
ARTICLE V
COMMITTEES
1. Executive Committee:
a. Committee Officers. All the officers of the Board of Directors,
namely, the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary,
Treasurer, together with the Diocesan Director, Spiritual
Director, and three Members-at-Large shall constitute the
Executive Committee.
b. Meetings. The Executive Committee shall hold a regular
meeting every two months. Upon request by any two members
of the Executive Committee, it shall also hold special
meetings, which may include the Coordinators of the Standing
Committees, and/or other representatives. All meetings of the
Executive Committee shall be presided by the Chairperson or,
in her/his absence, by the Vice-Chairperson.
c. Duties And Responsibilities. The Executive Committee
shall exercise general supervision of the day-to-day affairs
of the Filipino Ministry with the following powers and
functions:
Constitution And By Laws Of the Filipino Ministry, Diocese Of San Bernardino
1) To administer and manage the affairs of the Filipino
Ministry through the Standing Committees;
2) To act on reports, decisions and other actions from the
Board of Directors and Coordinators of the Standing
Committees; and
3) To coordinate and prepare the agenda for all meetings of
the Board of Directors.
2. Standing Committees.
a. The Standing Committees of the Filipino Ministry under
the leadership and supervision of the Executive Committee
are the following: Family Life, Youth and Young Adults,
Worship (Liturgy), Evangelization (Education/Formation),
Social Concerns, and Temporalities (Finance) Committees.
Each Standing Committee shall have five members to be
headed by the Coordinator and shall meet as needed.
b. The members, as well as the Coordinators of all Standing
Committees, shall be appointed by the Executive Committee
and approved by the Board of Directors.
c. General Responsibilities. The general responsibilities of all
Standing Committees are:
1) To collaborate, coordinate and assist other apostolate in
the Diocese and parishes;
2) To serve as clearing office of plans, policies, and other
matters coming from different committees of parish
organizations, movements, groups, schools and others;
3) To create sub-committees for special types of apostolic
activities; and
4) To represent the Standing Committee in the Executive
Committee meetings.
d. Specific Duties And Responsibilities. The specific duties
and responsibilities of all Standing Committees are as
follows:
1) Family Life:
i. To promote the value that the family is the basic unit
of the Church and of society bearing in mind the need
for maintaining family unity and motivating the
children as our future;
ii. To assist families in understanding and resolving
possible cultural and generational conflicts between
parents and children;
iii. To reach out - through prayer and support – to families
experiencing certain types of conflicts; and
iv. To organize Filipino gatherings as a means of sharing,
reliving, and deepening family values.
2) Youth and Young Adults Committee:
i. To assist the Ministry withYouth Office in establishing
programs for Filipino youth and young adults,
particularly on leadership training, value formation
and cultural appreciation;
ii. To engage Filipino youth and young adults in the life
and leadership of the Church; and
iii. To promote vocations to the priesthood and religious
life among the Filipino youth.
3) Worship (Liturgy) Committee:
i. To set guidelines and give common directions for
Filipino celebrations in coordination with the Office
of Worship;
ii. To provide a venue for the elderly to avail of the
Sacrament of Reconciliation in the Filipino language;
iii. To assist parishes in recruiting able, willing and available
Filipinos to be trained as parish leaders;
iv. To help parishes establish small faith communities that
would enrich the religiosity of Filipinos through the
family and neighborhood groups; and
v. To help parishes train facilitators and prayer leaders for
neighborhood families, youth and children’s groups.
3) Evangelization (Education/Formation) Committee;
i. To provide a venue for pastor/pastoral coordinators and
parish staffs for a better understanding of Filipino values,
culture, and popular or mass religiosity;
ii. To organize and conduct seminars, trainings and
workshops on Christian Value-Formation for Filipinos;
iii. To collaborate with the Department of Educational
Services (Diocesan catechetical offices) in order to
develop religious formation among Filipinos; and
iv. To assist parishes in building small faith communities.
5) Social Concerns (Service) Committee:
i. To collaborate and coordinate with the Department of
Community and Social Services and Catholic Charities;
ii. To engage Filipino youth and young adults in the life
and leadership of the Church; and
iii. To establish solidarity and coalition networks with Asia-
Pacific and other ethnic communities; and
iv. To establish international solidarity network.
6) Temporalities (Finance) Committee :
i. To help tap and train leaders who are able, willing and
available to work for stewardship;
ii. To promote understanding and internalization of
stewardship as a way of life among Filipino
communities;
iii. To conduct fund-raising activities subject to the approval
and support of the Board of Directors; and
iv. To oversee the annual budget and come up with a yearly
financial report.
Constitution And By Laws Of the Filipino Ministry, Diocese Of San Bernardino
ARTICLE VIAMENDMENTS
This Constitution and By-Laws may be amended or repealed by a
two-third vote of the General Assembly in consultation and
collaboration with - and subject to the approval of the Board of
Directors, at a regular or special meeting called for that purpose.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
1. Authorization of Instruments, Deposits and Funds. The Board
of Directors, except as otherwise provided in the Constitution
and By-Laws, may by resolution authorize any officer or
representative of the Ministry to enter into any contract and
deliver any instrument in the name and on behalf of the
Filipino Ministry of the Diocese of San Bernardino, and such
authority may be general or confined to specific purposes
provided, however, that such contract or delivery is expressly
authorized by this Constitution and By-Laws.
2. Execution of Instruments, Deposits and Funds. Except as
otherwise specifically determined by resolution of the Board of
Directors, all checks, drafts, promissory notes, orders for the
payment of money, and other evidence of indebtedness of the
Filipino Ministry shall be signed by the Diocesan Director
and/or Chairperson of the Board.
3. Deposit of Funds. All funds of the Ministry shall be deposited
to the credit of the Ministry with the Diocesan Accounting
Office.
4. Reports and Fiscal Year. The Executive Committee shall
prepare a yearly written report, including a financial statement
together with a summary of receipts and disbursements to the
Board of Directors, in July of each year. The fiscal year of
the Filipino Ministry shall be from July 1 to June 30.
5. Discretionary and Petty Cash Funds. Use of discretionary and
petty cash funds will follow general accepted accounting
practices.
Adopted November 7, 1994.
First Amendments ratified by the General Assembly on May
20, 2006, and approved by the Board of Directors on August
9, 2006.
Second Amendments ratified by the General Assembly on
November 10, 2007, and approved by the Board on November
17, 2007.
Certification
I certify that I am the duly elected Secretary of the Filipino
Ministry – Diocese of San Bernardino and that the second
amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws were approved by
the Board of Directors at its meeting on November 17, 2007.
(signed original on file) 11/17/2007
Merci B. Littaua Date
Secretary, Filipino Ministry – DSB
Filipino Ministry Logo –
It’s Meaning
The LOGO of the Filipino Ministry - DSB
is rich in symbolism and meaning. Let us
unpack what they convey to the Christian
communities at large:
► HUMAN IMAGES: There are six human figures. The
number six represents the six vicariates (Hemet, High
Desert, Low Desert, Riverside, San Bernardino and West-
End) in the Diocese of San Bernardino which are
distributed to the two counties that comprise the diocese:
San Bernardino and Riverside. The human images are the
Filipinos residing in the 6 vicariates. They are close to one
another to convey the unity that they signify, and that
through their unity, a harmonious immersion to their
respective parishes will be smoothly accomplish.
► BAMBOO CROSS: This represents the flexibility of the
Filipinos, that where they settled, they always blossom in
their faith. The bamboo can be used as tributaries where
water will flow to give life to arid lands; likewise the
Filipinos, firm as they are, they have a loving heart that
feels the cries and needs of others; they become life-givers.
► WHITE CLOTH HANGING ON THE CROSS: The
white cloth represents resurrection, and this is the vision of
the Filipinos, that wherever they are they can always live
the resurrection as life-givers. This white cloth reminds
Filipinos that their faith is embedded in the resurrection of
Jesus.
► SHIP AND SAIL: The ship represents the County of
Riverside and the sail represent the County of San
Bernardino, which comprises the diocese.
The first LOGO was designed by MICHAEL AZUL, a
parishioner of Holy Family Parish in
Hesperia in 1994.
The present LOGO of the Filipino
Ministry - DSB
► FILIPINO FLAG: This conveys the roots of the Filipinos.
Their rich religious traditions and cultures are elements that
will enrich the dynamics of life of the place where they are
planted. The flag reminds Filipinos in the Diocese of San
Bernardino to help enrich and strengthen the faith of the
larger Church community by promoting the Gospel values
of MAKA-DIYOS (PRO-GOD), MAKA-TAO (PRO-
PEOPLE), MAKA-BAYAN (PATRIOTIC), MAKA-
BUHAY (PRO-LIFE) and MAKA-KALIKASAN (FOR
INTEGRITY OF CREATION).
The flag was added within the meaning of the first logo;
designed by Joe Rafols, parishioner of St. John the
Evangelist in 2008.
USCCB Fundraising Guidelines
UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS
Decree of Promulgation
Canon 1262
On November 13, 2002, the members of the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops legitimately approved
complementary legislation for the implementation of canon 1262 of
the Code of Canon Law for the dioceses of the United States. The
action was granted recognitio by the Congregation for Bishops in
accord with article 82 of the Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus
and issued by Decree N. 778/2005 of the Congregation for
Bishops signed by His Eminence Giovanni Battista Cardinal Re,
Prefect, and His Excellency Most Reverend Francesco Monterisi,
Secretary, and dated May 2, 2007.
Wherefore, and in accord with the prescripts of canon 1262, the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops decrees that the
following norms shall govern fund-raising appeals to the faithful for
Church support:
Motivation
1. Fund-raising appeals are to be truthful and forthright,
theologically sound, and should strive to motivate the
faithful to a greater love of God and neighbor.
2. Fund-raising efforts are to be for defined needs.
3. The relationship of trust between donor and fund-raiser
requires that
a. funds collected be used for their intended purposes;
b. funds collected are not absorbed by excessive fund-
raising costs.
4. Donors are to be informed regarding the use of
donated funds and assured that any restrictions on
the use of the funds by the donor will be honored.
Competent Ecclesiastical Authority
5. Institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life
require approval of the respective competent major
superiors and the diocesan bishop to solicit funds;
diocesan entities require approval of the diocesan bishop
to solicit funds; other Catholic entities and organizations
require the approval of the diocesan bishop to solicit
funds.
6. Approval for fund-raising by the competent authority is to
be given in writing with reference to the purpose for which
the funds are being raised, the time frame, and the
methods to be used in raising them.
7. Oversight of fund-raising programs is to be maintained by
competent authority through periodic review and, where
necessary, appropriate sanction.
8. Competent major superiors of institutes of
consecrated life and societies of apostolic life are
to submit to the diocesan bishop of the place where
the fund-raising originates periodic reports on the
fund-raising programs and the apostolic activities
they support.
Accountability
9. Fund-raisers are to provide regular reports to
competent authority on the extent to which promises
expressed or implied in the solicitation of funds have
been fulfilled.
10. Fund-raising reports are to be prepared in scope and
design to meet the particular concerns of those to
whom the reports are due:
a. the governing body and membership of the fund-raising
organization;
b. the competent authorities who approved and monitor the
fund-raising effort;
c. the donors to the organization;
d. the beneficiaries of the funds raised.
11. Annual fund-raising reports are to provide both financial
information and a review of the apostolic work for which the
funds were raised. They are to set forth, at the least, the
amount of money collected, the cost of conducting the fund-
raising effort, and the amount and use of the funds
disbursed.
Procedures
12. Funds beyond operating expenses are not to be
accumulated or invested by a fund-raising office, but are to
be turned over to the appropriate office for allocation and
investment.
13. Special care is to be taken to see that ethical business
relationships are maintained by fund-raisers with suppliers
of goods and services.
14. Contracts between a religious fund-raiser and commercial
suppliers and consultants are to insure that control over
materials, designs, money and general operations remain in
the hands of the religious fund-raiser.
15. Agreements are not to be made which directly or indirectly
base payment either to the commercial firm or to the
religious fund-raiser on a percentage basis.
Oversight
16. Competent authority is to ensure that fund-raising
organizations:
a. make available fund-raising reports to benefactors on a
regular basis or upon reasonable request:
b. provide their governing bodies with an annual financial
statement prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles and, where size warrants,
by a certified public accountant.
17. In response to formal complaints, competent authority is to
promptly investigate charges, remedy abuses and, when
necessary, terminate the fund-raising program.
As President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, I
hereby decree that the effective date of this decree for all the
dioceses of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will be
August 15, 2007. Given at the offices of the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops in the city of Washington, the District
of Columbia, on the 8th day of June, in the year of our Lord 2007.
Most Reverend William S. Skylstad
Bishop of Spokane
President, USCCB
Reverend Monsignor David J. Malloy
General Secretary, USCCB
Apostolic Group Recognition Guidelines
Guidelines for Hosting Diocesan-wide Liturgical
Celebrations
Purpose: It is the intent of the Filipino Ministry – DSB to reach out
and support the different Parish Filipino Ministries throughout the
diocese and provide an opportunity for Parish Filipino Ministries to
host a diocesan-wide liturgical event rooted in the Filipino culture
and tradition.
I. SCHEDULING OF THE DIOCESAN LITURGY AND
EUCHARISTIC CELEBRANTS (OTHER THAN THE PARISH
PRIEST)
A. The Filipino Ministry - DSB shall be responsible for determining
the host parish and regulating the schedules of diocesan-wide
liturgical events that are rooted in the Filipino culture and tradition,
including but not limited to the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz and
Simbang Gabi celebrations.
B. The Filipino Ministry - DSB will consider the following in
approving the request by Parish Filipino Ministries in hosting
diocesan-wide liturgical events:
• The Parish Filipino Ministry has not hosted a diocesan
event during the past three years.
• The Parish Filipino Ministry is not within the same
vicariate as the last host parish.
C. To encourage unity and solidarity among Parish Filipino
Ministries within the diocese, there shall be one diocesan-wide
liturgical celebration of the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz, Simbang
Gabi Kick-Off and Simbang Gabi Closing. (Note: Other liturgical
celebrations may be included in the future in response to the
pastoral care of the Filipino Catholics in the Diocese of San
Bernardino.)
• All Parish Filipino Ministries are encouraged to invite
everyone to attend the diocesan-wide celebration.
• Parishes celebrating the nine-day Simbang Gabi
Novenas are encouraged to schedule their nine-day
novenas at a time that is not in conflict with the diocesan-
wide Simbang Gabi Kick-Off and Closing celebrations
and with the rotational celebrations of Simbang Gabi
Masses within the vicariate/cluster.
D. The assigning of priests who will preside in the different parish
Simbang Gabi celebrations is regulated by the Filipino Clergy
Group in coordination with the Filipino Ministry – DSB Secretariat.
This procedure would give the Filipino priests an opportunity to
meet and familiarize themselves with the various communities and
Parish Filipino Ministries in the Diocese of San Bernardino.
E. The Filipino Ministry – DSB is responsible for submitting the
Liturgical Planning form to the Bishop’s Office for the diocesan-
wide celebrations.
II. QUALIFICATION FOR HOSTING A DIOCESAN-WIDE
LITURGY
A. The parish must have an organized Parish Filipino Ministry.
B. The parish priest is willing to host the celebration and the
reflection/workshop, if any.
C. The parish priest is willing to highlight the Filipino celebration of
the event, i.e., the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz and the traditional
Simbang Gabi. For example:
• Since Simbang Gabi is a Marian Celebration, the Filipino
culture and tradition includes the white liturgical color and
the singing of the “Gloria.”
• Celebrating Simbang Gabi on a schedule different from the
celebration of the community mass during Advent is highly
encouraged to allow local parishioners to complete their
obligations during Advent and not impose the Filipino culture
and tradition among the local parishioners.
• It would be best to invite local parishioners to see the
magnificence of the Simbang Gabi by inviting them to the
celebration that is distinct from the celebration of Advent
masses.
D. The Parish Filipino Ministry is willing to collaborate and coordinate
with the Filipino Ministry – DSB in planning the celebration.
E.The Parish Filipino Ministry is willing to involve other Parish Filipino
Ministries in the different aspects of the celebration (e.g., choir,
programs, etc.).
F. The Parish Filipino Ministry is willing to take care of the major
expenses, including food for the attendees, stipend for the main
celebrant (unless other arrangement is pre-arranged and agreed
upon) and decorations in the church and hall.
• The Filipino Ministry – DSB is responsible for disseminating
the information regarding the celebration, including the black
and white printing of the flyers and worship aid.
• The Filipino Ministry – DSB will also assist in the solicitation
of food donations and financial assistance from other Parish
Filipino Ministries.
III. TASK OF THE PARISH FILIPINO MINISTRY
A. Before the Celebration
• Coordinate with the Filipino Ministry – DSB the following:
1. Planning with the Evangelization and Worship
Committees the reflection and/or workshops, as
deemed applicable.
2. Planning of the liturgy with the Worship Committee and
preparing the worship aid.
3. Planning and budgeting with Temporalities (Finance)
Committee the expenses for the celebration.
4. Preparation and dissemination of the information (e.g.,
flyer, letters of invitation and solicitation, etc.).
5. Preparation of the venue for worship and
program/reception.
A. During the Celebration
• Managing the traffic flow and parking lot assignments. Note
that some persons who have special roles in the celebration
need to have reserve parking near the venue.
• Directing the people to the venues of worship and reception.
• Checking if all assigned participants are present and
informed about their specified role.
• Make a last minute check with the Presider regarding
announcements, word of thanks, etc. No last minute
changes in the liturgy should be made during the day of the
celebration, unless it’s acknowledged by the Director,
Chairperson or the Spiritual Director of the Filipino Ministry –
DSB.
B. After the Celebration
• Organize the clean-up of the venue.
• Prepare an evaluation of the celebration and submit it to the
Secretariat of the Filipino Ministry - DSB. This will be
used to further improve our diocesan level celebrations.
Filipino Ministry - DSB
Rev. 05/30/08
SIMBANG GABI, Its Historical, Theological and Spiritual Underpinnings
SIMBANG- GABI
Its Historical, Theological and Spiritual Underpinnings
Originally called Misa De Gallo, Simbang Gabi is a celebration
of our journey in faith. It is truly a liturgical expression of our
spirituality, religiosity and culture. Prior to 1972, Misa de Gallo
was always celebrated at the break of dawn. The constraints
of Martial Law, especially its imposition of the curfew hours,
caused the dawn-masses to be celebrated in the evening,
before midnight; hence, the name: Simbang-Gabi.
Longing to celebrate pre-Christmas novenas, Filipino migrants
introduced the Simbang Gabi in their local parishes. To
celebrate Simbang Gabi is to recall the Filipinos’ memory of
the birth of Jesus, their understanding of the in-breaking of
God’s reign and the honor they give the Blessed Mother and
her wonderful role in the dawning of the New Times. It is to re-
echo the call to conversion, and to respond to it with
immediacy and radicalism wherever Filipinos are.
The Simbang Gabi Workshops offered by the Filipino Ministry
– DSB’s Evangelization Committee in collaboration with the
Worship Committee has, traditionally, been part of preparing
the Filipino community in understanding the historical,
theological and spiritual underpinnings of the Simbang Gabi
celebrations. During the past five years, participants of the
workshops have developed diocesan and daily Simbang Gabi
themes which resonates the faith of our Universal Church.
Two traditions celebrating the event of Jesus Christ’s birth:
• Northern European Churches (i.e., Austria, Belgium,
Germany, Hungary and Poland) celebrated mass daily
during the four weeks of Advent.
• Latin Churches (i.e., Mexico and the Philippines)
celebrated nine special daily masses before Christmas,
also known as Misa Aurea (golden mass), which ends on
Christmas Eve - Misa Aguinaldo (referring to Christ as a
gift).
From the late 16
th
to early 19
th
century, the Philippines
was a province of the Vice-Royalty of Mexico.
In 1587, Fray Diego Soria, prior of the Convent of St.
Agustin Acolman, petitioned Pope Sixtus V, who gave
permission to hold Christmastide masses - Misa
Aurea – in the Philippines.
Purpose:
• to Christianize Filipino rituals during harvest time
• Filipino farmers can go to mass before farm work,
and fisher folks after a night of fishing.
• Celebrated before dawn or early morning,
when the rooster crows (AKA Misa de
Gallo) announcing the coming of a new
day.
• Popularly known to Filipinos as Simbang
Gabi- Evening Mass or Mass at Dawn -
because the sun has not risen yet.
Why celebrate Simbang Gabi in the United States of America:
• It is an expression of our Filipino culture, religiosity and
spirituality. It is a gathering of Filipino families, neighbors,
and friends, listening to and singing Christmas carols.
• It strengthens the faith of the larger Church community by
promoting the Gospel values of “maka-Diyos” (pro-God),
“maka-tao” (pro-people), “maka-bayan” (patriotism),
“maka-buhay” (pro-Life) and “maka-kalikasan (integrity of
creation).
• It is a celebration of stewardship, bringing awareness of
God’s generosity and the origin and end of all things; it is an
act of Thanksgiving.
• Above all, Simbang Gabi is a tradition rooted in the faith,
centered on the manger.
It is Biblical
• Psalm 108- My heart is ready, O God; I will sing,
sing your praise. Awake my soul; awake lyre and
harp. I will awake the dawn.
• Isaiah 9:2 - the people who walk in darkness have
seen a great light.
• Job 3:9 -10 – the dawn as “creative”
• Matthew 24:42 -The parable of the ten virgins: Keep
awake therefore, for you do not know on what day
your Lord is coming.
• Romans 13:11-12 – the night is far spent, the day
draws near.
• It is Simbang Gabi expresses the faith of Filipinos
who hold the same core belief as all Christians,
namely, that God is present in human history, even
in the simple joys and anxieties of life's humblest
activities.
It is Eschatological
• it points us to the coming of our Savior in History
• Jesus promised that he would come again and the
Bible tells us that we must be watching and be
prepared for his return.
• It is Ecclesial In the Philippines, the Masses were
held at 4 a.m. to accommodate the farmers who had
to be on the fields at dawn and the fishermen who
are coming home from fishing. In spite of the early
hour, an entire town would be in attendance in some
communities, with the local parish priest walking
through various towns.
It is Marian
• Simbang Gabi is a nine-day novena to the Blessed
Mother. The novena begins December 16 and
culminates with the “Misa de Aguinaldo” on
Christmas Eve to welcome the birth of our Savior
Jesus Christ.
• White is the liturgical color.
• Gloria is always sung.
• It is Eucharistic
• It is a call to communion, where the whole
community celebrates with one another in
the one Lord; unity in diversity.
• The Church proclaims with “joy and firm
faith that God is communion, Father, Son
and Holy Spirit, unity in distinction, and that
he calls all peoples to share in the same
Trinitarian communion” (Ecclesia in
America, no. 34) It is a Eucharistic
Celebration, affirming the Catholic belief that
the Eucharist is the source and summit of all
prayers.
• It focuses on self-giving which Jesus did
from birth to death.
• It celebrates the greatest gift of God
to humanity, Jesus, the Word
incarnate.
(Filipino Ministry – DSB, 2008)
Diocesan Liturgical Guidelines
Guidelines for Hosting Diocesan-wide Liturgical
Celebrations
Purpose: It is the intent of the Filipino Ministry – DSB to reach out
and support the different Parish Filipino Ministries throughout the
diocese and provide an opportunity for Parish Filipino Ministries to
host a diocesan-wide liturgical event rooted in the Filipino culture
and tradition.
I. SCHEDULING OF THE DIOCESAN LITURGY AND
EUCHARISTIC CELEBRANTS (OTHER THAN THE PARISH
PRIEST)
A. The Filipino Ministry - DSB shall be responsible for determining
the host parish and cooordinating the schedules of diocesan-wide
liturgical events that are rooted in the Filipino culture and tradition,
including but not limited to the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz and
Simbang Gabi celebrations.
B. The Filipino Ministry - DSB will consider the following in
approving the request by Parish Filipino Ministries in hosting
diocesan-wide liturgical events:
• The Parish Filipino Ministry has not hosted a diocesan
event during the past three years.
• The Parish Filipino Ministry is not within the same
vicariate as the last host parish.
C. To encourage unity and solidarity among Parish Filipino
Ministries within the diocese, there shall be one diocesan-wide
liturgical celebration of the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz, Simbang
Gabi Kick-Off and Simbang Gabi Closing. (Note: Other liturgical
celebrations may be included in the future in response to the
pastoral care of the Filipino Catholics in the Diocese of San
Bernardino.)
• All Parish Filipino Ministries are encouraged to invite
everyone to attend the diocesan-wide celebration.
• Parishes celebrating the nine-day Simbang Gabi
Novenas are encouraged to schedule their nine-day
novenas at a time that is not in conflict with the diocesan-
wide Simbang Gabi Kick-Off and Closing celebrations.
• The assigning of priests who will preside in the different
parish Simbang Gabi celebrations is determined and
reviewed by the Filipino Clergy Group and implemented
through the Filipino Ministry – DSB Secretariat. This
procedure would give the Filipino priests an opportunity
to meet and familiarize themselves with the various
communities and Parish Filipino Ministries in the Diocese
of San Bernardino.
D. The Filipino Ministry – DSB is responsible for submitting the Liturgical
Planning form to the Bishop’s Office for the diocesan-wide celebrations.
II. QUALIFICATION FOR HOSTING A DIOCESAN-WIDE
LITURGY
A. The parish must have an organized Parish Filipino Ministry.
B. The parish priest is willing to host the celebration and the
reflection/workshop, if any.
C. The parish priest is willing to highlight the Filipino celebration of
the event ( i.e., the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz and the traditional
Simbang Gabi).
For example:
• Since Simbang Gabi is a Marian Celebration, the Filipino
culture and tradition includes the white liturgical color and the
singing of the “Gloria.”
• Celebrating Simbang Gabi on a schedule different from the
celebration of the community mass during Advent is highly
encouraged to allow local parishioners to complete their
obligations during Advent and not impose the Filipino culture
and tradition among the local parishioners.
• It would be best to invite local parishioners to see the
magnificence of the Simbang Gabi by inviting them to the
celebration that is distinct from the celebration of Advent
masses.
D. The Parish Filipino Ministry is willing to collaborate and coordinate
with the Filipino Ministry – DSB in planning the celebration.
E. The Parish Filipino Ministry is willing to involve other Parish
Filipino Ministries in the different aspects of the celebration (e.g.,
choir, programs, etc.).
F. The Parish Filipino Ministry is willing to take care of the major
expenses, including food for the attendees, stipend for the main
celebrant (unless other arrangement is pre-arranged and agreed
upon) and decorations in the church and hall.
• The Filipino Ministry – DSB is responsible for disseminating
the information regarding the celebration, including the black
and white printing of the flyers and worship aid.
• The Filipino Ministry – DSB will also assist in the solicitation
of food donations and financial assistance from other Parish
Filipino Ministries.
III. TASK OF THE PARISH FILIPINO MINISTRY
A. Before the Celebration
• Coordinate with the Filipino Ministry – DSB the following:
1. Planning with the Evangelization and Worship
Committees the reflection and/or workshops, as
deemed applicable.
2. Planning of the liturgy with the Worship Committee and
preparing the worship aid.
3. Planning and budgeting with Temporalities (Finance)
Committee the expenses for the celebration.
4. Preparation and dissemination of the information (e.g.,
flyer, letters of invitation and solicitation, etc.).
5. Preparation of the venue for worship and
program/reception.
A. During the Celebration
• Managing the traffic flow and parking lot assignments. Note
that some persons who have special roles in the celebration
need to have reserve parking near the venue.
• Directing the people to the venues of worship and reception.
• Checking if all assigned participants are present and
informed about their specified role.
• Make a last minute check with the Presider regarding
announcements, word of thanks, etc. No last minute
changes in the liturgy should be made during the day of the
celebration, unless it’s acknowledged by the Director,
Chairperson or the Spiritual Director of the Filipino Ministry –
DSB.
B. After the Celebration
• Organize the clean-up of the venue.
• Prepare an evaluation of the celebration and submit it to the
Secretariat of the Filipino Ministry - DSB. This will be
used to further improve our diocesan level celebrations.
Filipino Ministry - DSB Rev. 05/30/08
Blessed Pedro Calungsod San Lorenzo Ruiz
Blessed Pedro Calungsod
Pedro Calungsod, a Visayan native, was born
in 1655. During his boyhood Pedro was
trained as a catechist in a boarding school run
by the Jesuits in the Visayas. He was skilled
in the arts – carpentry, drawing, painting,
acting, singing and oratory, delivering
discourses in Visayan, Spanish and Chamorro. He was an
excellent and brilliant young man.
In 1668 young Pedro was chosen to accompany Fr. Diego de San
Vitores and other Jesuit missionaries from the Philippines to the
Ladores Islands to evangelize the native Chamorros. Despite
devastating typhoons, difficult terrain and scarce provisions for
the Mission, the missionaries persevered. The Ladores Islands
were later renamed Mariannas Islands by the missionaries in
honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and María Ana, the Queen
Regent of Spain, who was the benefactress of that Mission.
The missionaries, blessed with many conversions among the
Chamorros, caused envy and rivalry with medicine men. In
particular a Chinese quack named Choco spread rumors of infants
dying due to the poison in the baptismal water because some
sickly Chamorro infants died after baptism. Many Chamorros
believed the calumniator and eventually apostatized. The
apostates together with the Macanjas (sorcerers) and the Urritaos
(young male prostitutes) began persecuting the missionaries.
On Saturday morning, April 2, 1672, just before the Passion
Sunday of that year, 17 year-old Pedro and Fr. Diego went to the
village of Tumon to baptize a newborn baby girl.
The baby’s father Matapang, who was a Christian and friend of
the missionaries, having apostatized angrily refused to have his
infant daughter baptized. While Matapang was enlisting and
cajoling a non-Christian villager named Hirao to kill Pedro and
Fr. Diego, Matapang’s Christian wife consented to the baptism.
Upon hearing of the baptism, Matapang became aggressive,
violently throwing his spears to Pedro and Fr. Diego. After
shunning some spears, Pedro was hit on the chest and fell to the
ground. Hirao vigorously attacked Pedro and finished him with a
blow of a cutlass on the head. Fr. Diego was also killed. After the
murder, Matapang took Fr. Diegos’ crucifix pounded it with a
stone while blaspheming God. Matapang and Hirao denuded and
dragged the bodies of Pedro and Fr. Diego to the edge of the
shore, where they tied large stones to the feet of the corpses.
Thereafter, they took the bodies on a proa and threw them into the
deep. The bodies of Pedro and Fr. Diego were never found.
The missionaries remembered Pedro as a young boy with very
good dispositions. They recalled that Pedro was a virtuous
catechist and a faithful assistant to Fr. Diego and the Mission.
They described Pedro to be a good Catholic whose perseverance
in the Faith even to the point of martyrdom proved him to be a
good soldier of Christ (cf. II Tim 2:3). The missionaries declared
that Pedro was a fortunate youth, persevering in his service to
God in the mission and the precursor of their superior Fr. Diego
in heaven.
On October 6, 1985, Fr. Diego Luís de San Vitores was beatified.
His beatification paved the way for young Pedro Calungsod and
on March 5, 2000, Pedro was beatified by Pope John Paul II.
(Compiled by the Filipino Ministry - DSB, May 2008)
San Lorenzo Ruiz
(First Filipino Saint)
Lorenzo Ruiz was born in Binondo, Manila
between 1600 and 1610. With a Chinese father
and a Filipina mother and as an altar boy and
sacristan for Dominican priests, Lorenzo learned
Chinese, Tagalog and Spanish. His fluency and
beautiful penmanship enabled him to work as a professional
calligrapher, transcribing documents. He was a full member of the
Confraternity of the Holy Rosary under Dominican auspices. He
married and had two sons and a daughter.
Lorenzo’s life took an unexpected turn when he was accused of
murder. Lorenzo took refuge with the Dominican priests. Nothing is
known further about this mishap other than the statement of two
Dominicans that "he was sought by the authorities on account of a
homicide, in which he was present or which was attributed to him."
On June 10, 1636, Lorenzo was allowed to accompany three
Dominican priests, Antonio Gonzalez, Guillermo Courtet and
Miguel de Aozaraza, together with Vicente Shiwozuka de la Cruz, a
Japanese priest and a layman named Lazaro, a leper, on their journey
to Japan. He was not aware that they were headed to Japan, in spite
of a violent persecution there, until they were at sea. Lorenzo could
have gone on to Formosa, but, he reported, "I decided to stay with
the Fathers, because the Spaniards would hang me there." Lorenzo
and his companions landed in Okinawa.
In Japan they were soon found out and arrested. On July 10, 1636,
they were taken to Nagasaki - the site of wholesale bloodshed when
the atomic bomb was dropped and where 50,000 Catholics were
dispersed or killed by persecution. Lorenzo and his companions
were subjected to an inexpressible torture. Having huge quantities
of water forced down their throats, they were thrust to lie down and
long boards were placed on their stomachs. Guards stepped on the
ends of the boards, violently forcing water to spurt from their
mouths, noses and ears. Fr. Antonio, the superior, died after some
days. Fr. Vicente and Lazaro broke under torture, which included the
insertion of bamboo needles under their fingernails, but were
brought back to courage by their companions.
In his moment of crisis, Lorenzo asked the interpreter, "I would like
to know if, by apostatizing, they will spare my life." In the ensuing
hours, however, Lorenzo felt his faith grow strong. He became bold
and daring, stating to his interrogators “That I shall never do,
because I am a Christian and I shall die for God, and for Him I will
give many thousands of lives if I had them. And so do with me as
you will please.”
Lorenzo and his four surviving companions were slowly put to
death. He and his companions were taken to the “Mountain of
Martyrs” on September 27, 1637. They were tightly bound with
semicircular boards fitted around their waists and hung upside down
in pits. Stones were put on top of the boards to increase the pressure
and slowdown circulation to prevent a speedy death. After three
days, Lorenzo and Lazaro were dead and the three priests, still alive,
were beheaded.
On February 18, 1981, Lorenzo was beatified by Pope John Paul II
during his visit in Manila. On October 18, 1987, Lorenzo was
canonized and became the first Filipino saint and martyr.
(Compiled by the Filipino Ministry - DSB, May 2008)
With the passing of Governor Tabora in 1632, the care for Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage was given to the
Jesuit fathers. At that time the Jesuits were constructing the Church of Antipolo. Tradition has it that the
statute was relocated twice but both were futile as the brown image was always found on the trunk of a tipulo
(breadfruit) tree, which grew in the original site of the old church. The trunk of the tipulo was eventually cut down
and made into a pedestal for the Blessed Virgin, who became known to the residents as the Virgin of Antipolo or
Our Lady of Antipolo. On November 26, 1926, the Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buenviaje was canonically
crowned in Luneta by the Most Rev. Michael J. O’Doherty, Archbishop of Manila.
During the Japanese occupation the Virgin of Antipolo was taken to the mountains of Santolan, now called Angono.
Although there were steep mountain trails the 500 people who were on the journey felt very safe. Subsequently,
the Blessed Virgin was temporarily housed in the Ocampo residence at Quiapo and later transferred to the Quiapo
Church. And finally on October 15, 1945, the Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buenviaje was returned to its original
and permanent sanctuary at the Church of Antipolo. Every year thereafter devotees of the Virgin of Antipolo
commemorate this transfer. They gather at the Quiapo Church to join the "Alay Lakad" from Quiapo to the
Antipolo Cathedral starting at around 8:00 p.m. (30th of April) until dawn of the following day (1st of May).
Chosen by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines as the most symbolic image of Filipinos abroad, a
replica of Our Lady of Antipolo was brought to the United States. On April 15, 1995, the replica was enshrined at
the Chapel for Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate
Conception.
(Compiled by the Filipino Ministry – DSB, May 2008)
On March 25, 1626, Governor Don Juan Niño de Tabora, on his journey from
Mexico to the Philippines, brought with him a brown image of our Blessed
Virgin Mother on board the galleon, El Almirante. Despite the stormy seas
and a fire on board the El Almirante, the ship arrived safely on July 18, 1626.
Governor Tabora accredited their successful voyage to the image of the
Blessed Virgin. He called for a grandiose celebration with fireworks and
procession from the Church of San Ignacio, the Jesuit Church in Intramuros, up
to the Manila Catholic Cathedral, which became the first house of the Blessed
Virgin's image. The safe voyage of the El Almirante and the following eight
galleons from Acapulco to Manila continued to be attributed to the Blessed
Virgin, earning her the name Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buenviaje (Our Lady
of Peace and Good Voyage).
Our Lady Of Peace And Good Voyage
(Our Lady Of Antipolo)
were headed to Japan, in spite of a violent persecution there, until they were at sea. Lorenzo could have gone on to
Formosa, but, he reported, "I decided to stay with the Fathers, because the Spaniards would hang me there." Lorenzo
and his companions landed in Okinawa.
In Japan they were soon found out and arrested. On July 10, 1636, they were taken to Nagasaki - the site of
wholesale bloodshed when the atomic bomb was dropped and where 50,000 Catholics were dispersed or killed by
persecution. Lorenzo and his companions were subjected to an inexpressible torture. Having huge quantities of water
forced down their throats, they were thrust to lie down and long boards were placed on their stomachs. Guards
stepped on the ends of the boards, violently forcing water to spurt from their mouths, noses and ears. Fr. Antonio,
the superior, died after some days. Fr. Vicente and Lazaro broke under torture, which included the insertion of
bamboo needles under their fingernails, but were brought back to courage by their companions.
In his moment of crisis, Lorenzo asked the interpreter, "I would like to know if, by apostatizing, they will spare my
life." In the ensuing hours, however, Lorenzo felt his faith grow strong. He became bold and daring, stating to his
interrogators “That I shall never do, because I am a Christian and I shall die for God, and for Him I will give many
thousands of lives if I had them. And so do with me as you will please.”
Lorenzo and his four surviving companions were slowly put to death. He and his companions were taken to the
“Mountain of Martyrs” on September 27, 1637. They were tightly bound with semicircular boards fitted around
their waists and hung upside down in pits. Stones were put on top of the boards to increase the pressure and
slowdown circulation to prevent a speedy death. After three days, Lorenzo and Lazaro were dead and the three
priests, still alive, were beheaded.
On February 18, 1981, Lorenzo was beatified by Pope John Paul II during his visit in Manila. On October 18, 1987,
Lorenzo was canonized and became the first Filipino saint and martyr.
(Compiled by the Filipino Ministry - DSB, May 2008)
Lorenzo Ruiz was born in Binondo, Manila between 1600 and 1610. With a
Chinese father and a Filipina mother and as an altar boy and sacristan for
Dominican priests, Lorenzo learned Chinese, Tagalog and Spanish. His fluency and
beautiful penmanship enabled him to work as a professional calligrapher,
transcribing documents. He was a full member of the Confraternity of the Holy
Rosary under Dominican auspices. He married and had two sons and a daughter.
Lorenzo’s life took an unexpected turn when he was accused of murder. Lorenzo
took refuge with the Dominican priests. Nothing is known further about this mishap
other than the statement of two Dominicans that "he was sought by the
authorities on account of a homicide, in which he was present or which was
attributed to him." On June 10, 1636, Lorenzo was allowed to accompany three
Dominican priests, Antonio Gonzalez, Guillermo Courtet and Miguel de Aozaraza,
together with Vicente Shiwozuka de la Cruz, a Japanese priest and a layman
named Lazaro, a leper, on their journey to Japan. He was not aware that they
San Lorenzo Ruiz
(First Filipino Saint)
spread rumors of infants dying due to the poison in the baptismal water because some sickly Chamorro infants died
after baptism. Many Chamorros believed the calumniator and eventually apostatized. The apostates together with
the Macanjas (sorcerers) and the Urritaos (young male prostitutes) began persecuting the missionaries.
On Saturday morning, April 2, 1672, just before the Passion Sunday of that year, 17 year-old Pedro and Fr. Diego
went to the village of Tumon to baptize a newborn baby girl.
The baby’s father Matapang, who was a Christian and friend of the missionaries, having apostatized angrily refused to
have his infant daughter baptized. While Matapang was enlisting and cajoling a non-Christian villager named Hirao to
kill Pedro and Fr. Diego, Matapang’s Christian wife consented to the baptism. Upon hearing of the baptism,
Matapang became aggressive, violently throwing his spears to Pedro and Fr. Diego. After shunning some spears,
Pedro was hit on the chest and fell to the ground. Hirao vigorously attacked Pedro and finished him with a blow of a
cutlass on the head. Fr. Diego was also killed. After the murder, Matapang took Fr. Diegos’ crucifix pounded it with a
stone while blaspheming God. Matapang and Hirao denuded and dragged the bodies of Pedro and Fr. Diego to the
edge of the shore, where they tied large stones to the feet of the corpses. Thereafter, they took the bodies on a
proa and threw them into the deep. The bodies of Pedro and Fr. Diego were never found.
The missionaries remembered Pedro as a young boy with very good dispositions. They recalled that Pedro was a
virtuous catechist and a faithful assistant to Fr. Diego and the Mission. They described Pedro to be a good Catholic
whose perseverance in the Faith even to the point of martyrdom proved him to be a good soldier of Christ (cf. II Tim
2:3). The missionaries declared that Pedro was a fortunate youth, persevering in his service to God in the mission
and the precursor of their superior Fr. Diego in heaven.
On October 6, 1985, Fr. Diego Luís de San Vitores was beatified. His beatification paved the way for young Pedro
Calungsod and on March 5, 2000, Pedro was beatified by Pope John Paul II.
(Compiled by the Filipino Ministry - DSB, May 2008)
Pedro Calungsod, a Visayan native, was born in 1655. During his boyhood Pedro
was trained as a catechist in a boarding school run by the Jesuits in the Visayas.
He was skilled in the arts – carpentry, drawing, painting, acting, singing and oratory,
delivering discourses in Visayan, Spanish and Chamorro. He was an excellent and
brilliant young man.
In 1668 young Pedro was chosen to accompany Fr. Diego de San Vitores and
other Jesuit missionaries from the Philippines to the Ladores Islands to
evangelize the native Chamorros. Despite devastating typhoons, difficult terrain
and scarce provisions for the Mission, the missionaries persevered. The Ladores
Islands were later renamed Mariannas Islands by the missionaries in honor of the
Blessed Virgin Mary and María Ana, the Queen Regent of Spain, who was the
benefactress of that Mission.
The missionaries, blessed with many conversions among the Chamorros, caused
envy and rivalry with medicine men. In particular a Chinese quack named Choco
Blessed Pedro Calungsod
who were attracted by her life of prayer and labor and felt called to the religious life but could not be admitted into the
existing congregation at that time. Thus her first community was born and became known as the Beatas de la Compania de
Jesus because they frequently received the sacraments at the Church of St. Ignatius. With the Jesuit fathers as their
spiritual directors and confessors, the community performed many acts of devotion. Together they assisted the Jesuit
Fathers in their retreats by preparing and disposing the retreatants to Spiritual Exercises.
Mother Ignacia centered her life on the suffering of Christ. She tried to imitate him through a life of service and humility,
expressing her spirituality of humble service in her capacity to forgive, to bear wrongs patiently and to correct with
gentleness and meekness. She emphasized charity in the community, dedicating it to the Blessed Mother whose spirit
runs through the rules written for the guidance of the Beatas. Mother Ingnacia strove to be the living image of Mary to
her companions. She exhorted them to make Mary their model in following Jesus.
On July 1, 1726, Mother Ignacia completed the Constitutions of her community and submitted them for approval by the
Fiscal Provisor of Manila. After the approval was given in 1732, Mother Ignacia gave up her responsibility as superior of
the house and lived as an ordinary member until her death. Father Murillo Velarde of the Society of Jesus observed that
Mother Ignacia had no desire to command and control and saw this as a great sign of humility. Fr. Velarde described
Mother Ignacia as a "true valiant woman" who overcame the great difficulties which she met in the foundation from the
beginning to the end. She was "mortified, patient, devout, spiritual, and zealous for the good of souls." Mother Ignacia died
at age 85 after receiving Holy Communion on September 10, 1748, still on her knees at the communion rail. She was
interred at the Church of Saint Ignatius.
Elevation to Venerable
In the early 1980’s Sr. Maria Isabelita Riego de Dios, RVM, began and intensively promoted the cause for the
beatification of Mother Ingnacia del Espiritu Santo. In 1986 then Manila archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin began the
canonical process for Mother Ignacia’s beatification. A miracle was attributed to Mother Ignacia when Victoria Peña-
Utanes, a diabetic, was cured of a left foot infection through the intercession of Mother Ignacia.
On July 6, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI, during a private audience on July 6 with Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, CMF,
prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, authorized the promulgation of decrees, including Mother Ignacia del
Espiritu Santo, among the16 holy men and women who will be elevated to the altars. After almost 259 years, the
Vatican finally declared Mother Ignacia “Venerable.”
On February 1, 2008, Manila Archbishop, Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales presided over the promulgation at the Minor
Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Binondo, Manila.
(Compiled by the Filipino Ministry - DSB, May 2008)
Mother Ignacia was the eldest of four children of a Chinese immigrant from Amoy,
China Jusepe Iuco and of a native Filipina María Gerónima. She was born in Manila,
Philippines in 1662 and baptized Ignacia del Espiritu Santo on March 4, 1663, at the
Holy Kings Parian.
Mother Ignacia spent her childhood in Chinese Binondo, Manila. In 1682 instead of
accepting her parent’s request to marry, Ignacia sought spiritual direction from a
Jesuit priest, Fr. Paul Klein, who had arrived in Manila from Bohemia. The priest gave
her the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.
After a period of solitude and prayer, determined to "remain in the service of the Divine
Majesty" and "live by sweat of her brow," Ignacia left home. With only a needle and a
pair of scissors in her possession, she began to live alone in the house located at the
back of the Jesuit College of Manila. Subsequently, she accepted yndias (natives)
Mother Ignacia Del Espiritu Santo
HJM Financial Group
Maasahan, Tapat at Mabait Maglingkod sa inyo.
We provide a free preliminary consultation for these and many other
financial services:
Retirement Planning
Real Estate Exchanges
Trust Advisory Services
Life Insurance & Annuities
Funeral and Final Expense Plans
Revere Mortgage & Cash Flow Planning
Estate Planning & Estate Transfer Strategies
Tawag agad! 951-699-2055 or 800-877-701-6750 for all your financial service needs.
Hugh J. McDonald, CSA
Ca. Ins. Lic. #OB09971
& Priscilla Reyes McDonald
Attention! Why go to L.A., San Diego and Orange County for Quality Immigration (Legal) Service?
Residents of Oceanside, Wildomar, Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, Temecula, Murrieta, Sun City, Menifee, Perris,
Moreno Valley, San Jacinto and Riverside County: Call us at (714) 956 8595 or (951) 296 8220
Free Initial and Confidential Consultation!
IMMIGRATION FAMILY Law BUSINESS Formation CONTRACT Drafting
(Family and Employment) (Divorce and Settlement) (C Corporation, L.L.C., and etc.) (Personal and Business Contracts)
Maasahan, Tapat at Mabait Maglingkod!
PONFERRADA LAW OFFICES
B. Karlo M. Ponferrada, ESQ.*
*Licensed, California and Philippine Bar (Active)
Graduated with Honors, Ateneo School of Law, Class 1992
Speaks Fluent English, Tagalog, Waray, Ilonggo, and Cebuano
Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
For Residents of L.A. and other areas:
Meet us at our Anaheim Law Office: EL RANCHO PLAZA, 421 N. Brookhurst Street, Suite 228 B, Anaheim, CA 92586
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Devotion
Every Wednesday at
6:30 p.m.
Devotional Prayer
to the Santo Niño
Every Wednesday following
the Devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Holy Family Church Holy Family Church Holy Family Church Holy Family Church
9974 I Ave. 9974 I Ave. 9974 I Ave. 9974 I Ave.
Hesperia, CA 92345 Hesperia, CA 92345 Hesperia, CA 92345 Hesperia, CA 92345
(760) 244 (760) 244 (760) 244 (760) 244- -- -9180 9180 9180 9180
E EE E- -- -mail:
[email protected] mail:
[email protected] mail:
[email protected] mail:
[email protected]
http://www.hfchesperia.org http://www.hfchesperia.org http://www.hfchesperia.org http://www.hfchesperia.org
Inland Empire
909/5228236 Rancho Cucamonga Office (Drop-off Special!!)
760/4646862 Palm Spring and La Quinta Agent
951/8457005 JM Asian Market Beaumont Agent
951/8455069 Hemet and Sun City Agent
909/8032488 Fontana and Victorville Agent
951/2646329 Corona and Riverside Agent
951/7697165 Moreno Valley Agent
Home of the Famous
Manila Boy Fried Chicken
at Masarap ng
Lutong Kapangpangan
CONGRATULATIONS & BLESSINGS CONGRATULATIONS & BLESSINGS CONGRATULATIONS & BLESSINGS CONGRATULATIONS & BLESSINGS
ON THE 15th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION ON THE 15th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION ON THE 15th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION ON THE 15th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
OF THE FILIPINO MINISTRY OF THE FILIPINO MINISTRY OF THE FILIPINO MINISTRY OF THE FILIPINO MINISTRY
DIOCESE OF SAN BERNARDINO DIOCESE OF SAN BERNARDINO DIOCESE OF SAN BERNARDINO DIOCESE OF SAN BERNARDINO
Greetings from the Officers & Members
Of the Filipino Ministry of
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha
Catholic Community of Beaumont/Banning
The Filipino Ministry of Saint Francis of Assisi Church The Filipino Ministry of Saint Francis of Assisi Church The Filipino Ministry of Saint Francis of Assisi Church The Filipino Ministry of Saint Francis of Assisi Church
La Quinta 92253 La Quinta 92253 La Quinta 92253 La Quinta 92253
Congratulations to the 15th Year Anniversary of the Filipino
Ministry—DSB. May our good Lord Jesus Christ continue to
bless the Filipino Ministry of the Diocese of San Bernardino.
Officers
Head Servant::
Alicia A. Solitaria
Associate Head Servant:
Honey Luntok-Moore
Secretary:
Joy Del Rosario
Evangelization & Education:
Maribon Veloro
Liturgical Services & Worship:
Jelly Luntok-Robertson
Ways & Means:
Arlene Malundas
Pastoral Care & Services:
Ula G. Carlos
Pastor:
Rev. James McLaughlin VF
Spiritual Director:
Fr. Dennis Legaspi
Devotions
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Every Wednesday after the 8:00 AM Mass
Our Lady of Fatima
Every Friday (Block Rosary)
Distributed Easter Baskets
With food to the needy families in Mecca
HEMET OB/GYN
Office Hours By Appointment
Tel: (951)492-0900
Fax: (951)492-0985
2390 E. Florida Ave. Suite 104
Hemet, CA 92544
Renato G. Judalena, M.D. Jacqueline S. Sevilla, M.D
Congratulations on the 15th Year Congratulations on the 15th Year Congratulations on the 15th Year Congratulations on the 15th Year
Anniversary of the Filipino Ministry Anniversary of the Filipino Ministry Anniversary of the Filipino Ministry Anniversary of the Filipino Ministry
- -- - Diocese of San Bernardino! Diocese of San Bernardino! Diocese of San Bernardino! Diocese of San Bernardino!
Rosary makers are wanted. No experience
necessary. Free instructions & materials.
Food, fun, and fellowships. For more infor-
mation, contact Elizabeth Tamayo at
(909)421-7030.
From the Rosary Makers of From the Rosary Makers of From the Rosary Makers of From the Rosary Makers of
Blessed John XXIII, Blessed John XXIII, Blessed John XXIII, Blessed John XXIII,
Rialto Center Rialto Center Rialto Center Rialto Center
Congratulations
to the Filipino Ministry
of the Diocese of San
Bernardino!
Mabuhay ang Filipino Ministry,
Happy 15th Year Anniversary & many
more to come. God Bless.
Ed Purcell, President Filipino Club
Filipino Association of San Bernardino County
(Front sitting left to right)
Joe Tacal, James Tuazon, Jarrie Rodriguez-VP, Bing Johnson, Gloria Farshay,
Ed & Maria Purcell—President of Filipino Club
(Front sitting left to right)
Tammy Sturgis, Nevilla Maxwell, Nena Flores, Rene Casaclang, Frank Rodri-
guez, Menchie Bungeang, Hermie De La Pina, Honey & Money Lazo, Letty Cri-
tis, Zarina Gordovez, (not at picture Betty Tuazon)
(This picture was taken last Hawaiian Night, Dinner & Dance)
CONGRATULATIONS! CONGRATULATIONS! CONGRATULATIONS! CONGRATULATIONS!
Best Wishes & Prayers
From
BLESSED JOHN XXIII
FILIPINO COMMUNITY CHOIR
Ramon & Anita
Sotero & Liza
Belen
Ning & Juliet
Rene & Christy
Ed & Anne
Mae & Ella
Zeny
Arthus & Espie
Jun & Paz
Lari & Liza
Congratulations to the Filipino Ministry Congratulations to the Filipino Ministry Congratulations to the Filipino Ministry Congratulations to the Filipino Ministry - -- - DSB for DSB for DSB for DSB for
their 15th Year Anniversary! their 15th Year Anniversary! their 15th Year Anniversary! their 15th Year Anniversary!
Zonia Navarra - Soprano, Coordinator
Marion Navarra - Tenor, Lead Guitarist
Karen Nario - Soprano, Music Coordinator
Julie Ann Nario - Alto, Alternate Guitarist
Tony Nario - Tenor
Juliet Nario - Soprano
Josie Dandan - Soprano
Miles Ballesteros - Tenor
JJ Dela Cruz - Guitarist
Vicki Dela Cruz - Alto
From the Himig Filipino Choir of Blessed John XXIII,
Fontana Center, Tel # (909)561-3130
Congratulations and Blessings Congratulations and Blessings Congratulations and Blessings Congratulations and Blessings
on the occasion of the 15th year anniversary
Of the Filipino Ministry - DSB
St. Francis of Assisi Parish
JM Asian Market JM Asian Market JM Asian Market JM Asian Market
800 E. 6th Street
Beaumont, CA 92223
(951)845-7005
Tues - Sat: 10:00 am—7:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am—7:00 pm
Mondays and Holidays: Closed
Welcome to your Filipino store in the Pass Area where
prices are very reasonable. Ang tanging mahal lamang
ay...Kayo! We treat our customers as family and your
satisfaction is guaranteed.
Come, check us out.
Excellence in Caring
1665 E. Eighth Street
Beaumont, CA 92223
Phone - (951)845-3125
Fax - (951)769-1582
Mabuhay and Congratulations
to the Filipino Ministry—DSB!
Our Love and Prayers,
Nini, Jason & Melanie Dyogi
Left to Right:
Lisa Barreto, Pat Mislang, Fr. Arlan, Rudy Soliman, Perla Soliman,
Bishop Gerlad Barnes, David Gutierrez, Belen Gementera, Fr. Tony
Abuan (not in picture Malu Cruz and Mario Barreto)
From Our Lady of the Desert Filipino Ministry
More Power to the Filipino Ministry of
the Diocese of San Bernardino and
Congratulations!
From the Queen of Angels Filipino Choir From the Queen of Angels Filipino Choir From the Queen of Angels Filipino Choir From the Queen of Angels Filipino Choir
Rene & Bing Urmanita
Maybelle Carbajal
Monet & Jerry Porras
Marita Quinones & Kids
Marites Becker
Emma Masters
Don & Xenia Neypez
Rosalia Stevens
Roger & Amy Del Barrio
Constancia Faraon
Boyet
ALLIED REHAB SERVICES, INC.
“Providing Rehabilitative Services to the Skilled Nursing Facility”
ROSALINDA T. JARVINA
President/Administrator
• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Pathology
21527 Berendo Avenue, Torrance, CA 90502
Tel. (310)618-8286 * Fax (310)618-8455
A Non Emergency Medical Transportation
12234 Chydesdale Dr.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739
(909)899-0157
Fax (909)463-9242
Zozimo & Theresa Malana - Owners
“What you are is God’s gift to you,
What you become is your gift to God.”
Love & Respect Your Elders
Happy 15th Anniversary Filipino
Ministry - DSB!
From the Families of:
Cesa Cesa Cesa Cesa - Sonny, Carrie, Aaron. Flores Flores Flores Flores - Tony, Meredith, Marcus, Madison.
Hunt Hunt Hunt Hunt - Thomas, Judy, Amanda, Emmanuel, Nanay Mira. Jamisola Jamisola Jamisola Jamisola -
Ariel, Alyn, Alexis, Allyson. Majestrado Majestrado Majestrado Majestrado - Quin, Nona, Johnmil, Nany
Vinying. Mast Mast Mast Mast - Darrel & Armida. Yazzi Yazzi Yazzi Yazzi - Andy, Nikki, Sammy.
Saint Anthony’s Parish
San Jacinto, CA
Diplomate
American Board
of
Family Practice
1264 E. Latham Avenue
Hemet, CA 92543
(De Anza Professional Building)
Tel. (951)658-1112
Congratulations to the 15th Year
Anniversary of the Filipino Ministry
Diocese of San Bernardino from...
Happy 15th Anniversary Happy 15th Anniversary Happy 15th Anniversary Happy 15th Anniversary
to the Filipino Ministry to the Filipino Ministry to the Filipino Ministry to the Filipino Ministry
of the Diocese of San of the Diocese of San of the Diocese of San of the Diocese of San
Bernardino! Bernardino! Bernardino! Bernardino!
From the
Lord of Pardon Prayer
Group, Inc.—Riverside &
Moreno Valley Chapter
Congratulations & Mabuhay Congratulations & Mabuhay Congratulations & Mabuhay Congratulations & Mabuhay
Congratulations & Mabuhay Congratulations & Mabuhay Congratulations & Mabuhay Congratulations & Mabuhay
to the to the to the to the
15th Anniversary of the Filipino Ministry 15th Anniversary of the Filipino Ministry 15th Anniversary of the Filipino Ministry 15th Anniversary of the Filipino Ministry - -- - DSB DSB DSB DSB
Greetings From Greetings From Greetings From Greetings From
Parishioners of Parishioners of Parishioners of Parishioners of
Parishioners of Parishioners of Parishioners of Parishioners of
St. Peter & St. Paul Church St. Peter & St. Paul Church St. Peter & St. Paul Church St. Peter & St. Paul Church
St. Peter & St. Paul Church St. Peter & St. Paul Church St. Peter & St. Paul Church St. Peter & St. Paul Church
- -- - Pons & Ging Pons & Ging Pons & Ging Pons & Ging - -- - Fred & Vi Fred & Vi Fred & Vi Fred & Vi
- -- -Tony & Ellen Tony & Ellen Tony & Ellen Tony & Ellen - -- - Johnny & Sandy Johnny & Sandy Johnny & Sandy Johnny & Sandy
- -- - Louie & Annie Louie & Annie Louie & Annie Louie & Annie
Con gr at u lat ion s T o
T he F ilipin o Min ist r y
D iocese Of San B er n ar din o
on t heir
15
t h
ANNI VE R SAR Y
Happy 15th Anniversary to the Happy 15th Anniversary to the Happy 15th Anniversary to the Happy 15th Anniversary to the
Filipino Ministry of the Diocese of Filipino Ministry of the Diocese of Filipino Ministry of the Diocese of Filipino Ministry of the Diocese of
San Bernardino! San Bernardino! San Bernardino! San Bernardino!
From,
Aida Reyes
Happy 15th Anniversary Happy 15th Anniversary Happy 15th Anniversary Happy 15th Anniversary
to the Filipino Ministry to the Filipino Ministry to the Filipino Ministry to the Filipino Ministry
of the Diocese of San of the Diocese of San of the Diocese of San of the Diocese of San
Bernardino! Bernardino! Bernardino! Bernardino!
From the
Lord of Pardon Prayer
Group, Inc.—Fontana,
Rialto, & Rancho Cucamonga
MIRAVILLA CARE CENTER
Best wishes to the Filipino Best wishes to the Filipino Best wishes to the Filipino Best wishes to the Filipino
Ministry of the Diocese of Ministry of the Diocese of Ministry of the Diocese of Ministry of the Diocese of
San Bernardino. San Bernardino. San Bernardino. San Bernardino.
Congratulations on your Congratulations on your Congratulations on your Congratulations on your
15th Anniversary! 15th Anniversary! 15th Anniversary! 15th Anniversary!
Our Lady of Guadalupe Our Lady of Guadalupe Our Lady of Guadalupe Our Lady of Guadalupe
Church, San Bernardino Church, San Bernardino Church, San Bernardino Church, San Bernardino
More Power to the Filipino More Power to the Filipino More Power to the Filipino More Power to the Filipino
Ministry of the Diocese of Ministry of the Diocese of Ministry of the Diocese of Ministry of the Diocese of
San Bernardino! San Bernardino! San Bernardino! San Bernardino!
Congratulations on your Congratulations on your Congratulations on your Congratulations on your
15th Anniversary! 15th Anniversary! 15th Anniversary! 15th Anniversary!
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
10079 8th Street 10079 8th Street 10079 8th Street 10079 8th Street
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Events by Jonathan David Events by Jonathan David Events by Jonathan David Events by Jonathan David Inland Empire Directory, Inland Empire Directory, Inland Empire Directory, Inland Empire Directory,
etc. c/o Hermie Natividad etc. c/o Hermie Natividad etc. c/o Hermie Natividad etc. c/o Hermie Natividad
Sanchez/Cristobal Family Sanchez/Cristobal Family Sanchez/Cristobal Family Sanchez/Cristobal Family
St. Peter & St. Paul Parish
St. Peter & St. Paul
Pauline Jubilee
St. Adelaide Catholic
Church
St. Thomas the Apostle
Congratulations
to the
Filipino Ministry—DSB
on their
15th Anniversary!
Juan & Josie Imus
St. Christopher Church Fili-
pino ministry
CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS
To the Filipino Ministry, DSB To the Filipino Ministry, DSB To the Filipino Ministry, DSB To the Filipino Ministry, DSB
On your 15 On your 15 On your 15 On your 15
th th th th
Anniversary Anniversary Anniversary Anniversary
Greetings from, Greetings from, Greetings from, Greetings from,
Godofreda B. Sumalangcay, M.D Godofreda B. Sumalangcay, M.D Godofreda B. Sumalangcay, M.D Godofreda B. Sumalangcay, M.D
Pediatrics Pediatrics Pediatrics Pediatrics
1800 N. Western Ave. Suite 202 1800 N. Western Ave. Suite 202 1800 N. Western Ave. Suite 202 1800 N. Western Ave. Suite 202
San Bernardino, Ca 92411 San Bernardino, Ca 92411 San Bernardino, Ca 92411 San Bernardino, Ca 92411
(909) 880 (909) 880 (909) 880 (909) 880- -- -3065 3065 3065 3065
More Blessings and Best Wishes! More Blessings and Best Wishes! More Blessings and Best Wishes! More Blessings and Best Wishes!
More Blessings and Best Wishes! More Blessings and Best Wishes! More Blessings and Best Wishes! More Blessings and Best Wishes!
Ester M. Rodriguez, DVM Ester M. Rodriguez, DVM Ester M. Rodriguez, DVM Ester M. Rodriguez, DVM Ester M. Rodriguez, DVM Ester M. Rodriguez, DVM Ester M. Rodriguez, DVM Ester M. Rodriguez, DVM
MON - FRI FULL HOSPITAL SERVICE
8:30-12 NOON 1:30-5:00 PM INCLUDING SPAY & NEUTER
SATURDAY 9:00 AM-2:00 PM VACCINATION CLINIC EVERY SAT.
BLUE CROSS ANIMAL HOSPITAL
ESTER M. RODRIGUEZ, DVM
10593 MILLS AVENUE (909) 621-2988
MONTCLAIR, CA 91763 (909) 621-2989
(951) 485-1095
AIRLINE TICKETS
(951) 485-1096
blessed John XXIII Church