35 Years of Keeping the Faith Alive
By: Sis Joy Tadeo
Celebrating one’s birthday is a much-awaited event for most of us. This is very true even for our community – The Lord’s Flock Catholic Charismatic Community. Every year, members come together to celebrate and commemorate our humble beginning, which started on April 4, 1986. This year’s 35th anniversary is a milestone, a global celebration of the amazing expansion of spreading the Word of God across continents.
The anniversary celebration is extra special because April 4, 2021, coincided with two other Catholic events: the first is Easter Sunday. The second is the beginning of the year-long celebration of the 500th anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines. Thus, the members excitedly participated in a triple celebration. The 35th celebration also marked the first time that over 700 members worldwide (along with family and chapter members) participated in the program, which historically had been done locally in the Heritage Center. Modern technology, specifically Zoom, enabled global members to meet each other and share talents.
As members were entering the room, they were welcomed with the Dulaang TUPA’s play entitled “The Witness”. It was a story based on St. Peter’s account of Jesus’ life up to His resurrection. This gave the members a complete Lenten season experience since many had also attended the three-day Lenten recollection. The international members in particular enjoined seeing our Elders and Execom leaders performing in full costumes. The play ended at 11 AM which paved the way to the formal opening of the 35th-anniversary program.
The super energetic duo of Bro Raymund Nobleza (from the Philippines) and Sis Rosette Agustin (from Sacramento, USA), moderated the whole event. Ice breaker games got everyone excited. Instead of the traditional Easter egg hunt, the participants looked for pictures of the Heritage and sheep that were scattered in the Audio Visual Presentation. Moreover, those who posted the oldest memorabilia (picture, ID, and other TLF materials) on the event page won various prizes. Lastly, raffle prizes got all the members excited throughout the program.
A joyful retro medley segued to the invocation given by our Elder-Founder and Vision Holder, Sis Techie “Sor” Rodriguez. She emotionally shared how the Lord brought the community to the forefront of evangelization, initially in the Philippines, and eventually rolled out across the world – Asia, UAE, USA, Europe, and even Africa. She truly realized God’s hand even before the onset of the pandemic, in preparing the community structurally to be active in the online highway. Because of proliferation and constant online meetings (Grow, Praise and Worship, training, events, etc.) digital evangelization reached more people. The online platform became an avenue for the community to meet each other regardless of distance and time zones. And lastly, Sor encouraged everyone to remain eager and undaunted in spreading the “faith virus.”
An awesome production, seamlessly put together by the local and international chapters, entertained everyone. This year’s theme was unique. Unlike the previous celebrations which mainly focused on the events that transpired in the Philippines, this year highlighted the steady and aggressive expansion to the different parts of the world. Everyone was impressed and amazed by the stories wonderfully portrayed by the various chapters and how the LF community impacted their individual lives. Their words of appreciation were effusively shared on the chatbox.
Towards the end of the program, Bro Froilan Hong, Senior Executive Head Servant, led the members in rendering honor to our Elders, thanking them for the life-changing influences and the sacrifices that their family has given to the congregation. We are enjoined as members of the community to put our hearts and minds towards the responsibility of keeping our Community’s vision and mission alive and thriving. Most especially, let us not forget the signs and wonders that the Lord has shown us in the last 35 years and that these may inspire us in the years ahead. “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and their children after them” (Deut 4:9).
To God be all the glory!
