The COMPANY OF ST. DOMINIC (CSD), a secular institute of consecrated life, was given permission on August 6, 2009 to establish a consecrated community in the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila (RCAM) by His Eminence GAUDENCIO CARDINAL ROSALES, DD, Archbishop of Manila.
As a consecrated community of preachers, the RCAM deputed the CSD to lead in the catechetical initiatives of the Archdiocese. In preparation for the task, the CSD trained its members to be preachers, speakers, teachers and catechists through on-going formation and catechetical studies. In addition to the secular institute’s monthly self-directed recollection, the CSD also holds theology class every fourth Sunday of the month with Rev. Fr. Jose Antonio E. Aureada, OP, and conducts monthly catechetical formation with Rev. Fr. Macias Wency D. Serafica of the RCAM. Fr. Wency is the Assistant Parish Priest of Ermita Church (Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Senora de Guia) where CSD’s Minister Prefect, Rev. Father Sanny C. De Claro, is the Parish Priest.
Duc in altum! (Lk. 5:4)
After much preparation, the CSD was ready to set out into the deep. Thus, it sponsored its first ever “Catechetical Conference with Mary” with the theme “Revelation: Unfolding Mystery of Salvation.” The grand event was held at Sta. Catalina College in Legarda, Manila last August 29, 2010.
The half-day Catechetical Conference was participated in by students (both high school and college), catechists and lay leaders in the RCAM. The participants filled the Sta. Catalina Audio-Visual Hall. Gauging from the total number of attendees (130 in all), the Catechetical Conference of the CSD was truly a success!
Prayer Warriors
The success of the first grand endeavor the CSD is attributed to the prayers of the all the members. While the Conference is on-going, members of the CSD took turns in adoring and supplicating the Eucharistic Lord.
The adoration was held at the CSD office in Sta. Catalina where the Blessed Sacrament was exposed for adoration. The CSD office served as the spiritual powerhouse during the conference. The Lord, who was present among us, has generously blessed our first venture.
The Conference Proper
Participants arrived at Sta. Catalina as early as 7:00 in the morning. A school bus-load delegation came from the Dominican School Manila headed by brother John Erick Moje, OP of the CSD. Religious Education (RE) students from Siena College Quezon City and Sta. Catalina Legarda attended in full force. There were also students from Siena Taytay, Holy Trinity Academy, Ermita Parochial School, Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST) and Centro Escolar University Mendiola.
The Catechetical Conference with Mary promptly started at 8:00 in the morning. The dynamic duo composed of brothers Harold Eugenio, OP and Adrian Tambuyat, OP served as masters of ceremonies during the conference.
A Bible service, or a celebration of the Word of God, opened the Catechetical Conference. The service, complete with songs and reflections, was led by our educator-brothers Mervin Villalobos, OP and John Erick Moje. The Bible service was followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem led by brother Harold Eugenio, OP.
Sr. Bernadette Agregado, OP, President of Sta. Catalina Legarda gave the welcome remarks.Thereafter, brother John Erick Moje, OP introduced the first speaker for the Catechetical Conference.
Talk I – Lay Perspective on Revelation
The first talk was given by brother Marwil N. Llasos, OP, one of the mainstay lecturers of the CSD. He discussed Divine Revelation from the perspective of the laity.
Talk II – Theological Perspective on Revelation
The second talk was given by Rev. Fr. Jose Antonio E. Aureada, OP. Father Aureada holds a doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Angelicum in Rome and served as Dean of the Faculty of Sacred Theology of the University of Sto. Tomas. Fr. Aureada tackled Divine Revelation from a theological perspective.
Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
The Catechetical Conference concluded with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass presided by Rev. Fr. Virgilio A. Ojoy, OP, the Spiritual Director of the CSD. He gave a very beautiful reflection for the day’s Gospel.
After the Mass, CSD Supreme Moderator Nestor Limqueco, OP thanked the participants and those who helped in making the Catechetial Conference successful.
Indeed, the CSD is overwhelmed by the successful turn out of its first Catechetical Conference. True to its mandate in the RCAM, the CSD will sponsor more Catechetical Conferences in different schools and parishes in the future.
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