On August 27, 2024, “Soar” Techie Rodriguez (Elder-Founder of The Lord’s Flock Catholic Charismatic Community) and her Mission Team arrived in Fiumicino airport, Rome amidst a drizzling weather. They went directly to Gesu y Maria Church and were welcomed by Fr. Harold Toledano, Sisters Aurora Gacoma and Luz Tapispisan (a former Lord’s Flock member and sister of Lea Tapispisan, Pastor Ministry), who were all excited and happy to meet the team. Fr. Harold, who is the local prior (superior) of the church, gladly showed them to their respective rooms in the dormitory meant for visiting priests; they were grateful for the free accommodations for the seven days. Soar, Bro. Froilan Hong (Co-Founder), Judith Almendrala (SERVE Ministry) and Joy Molina (Las Vegas Chapter) were assigned to a room at the ground floor, while Jess Advincula (SOWER Ministry) was assigned to a room at the 4th level. The Mission Team handled the preparations for establishing a TLF Rome Chapter, met with Filipino parish priests, conducted a Healing Conference and a Spirit Empowerment Seminar (SES).
After getting settled, they sponsored the dinner at a Filipino restaurant called “Neighborhood” to show their appreciation for Fr. Harold’s hospitality.
The Preparations
The following day, August 28, the team went to Parrochia Assunzione De Maria, the venue for the Healing Conference and the SES. They spent the whole afternoon discussing the plans with Fr. Rene Enod Silga, the parish priest. They set up the room and placed posters at church front gate. The evening was spent celebrating Fr. Harold’s 22nd sacerdotal birthday together with Fr. Rene.
Healing Conference
Soar conducted the Healing Conference at the Parrochia Asunzione De Maria Parish on Thursday, August 29, starting at 3pm. It was attended by eight Filipinos who are residents of Italy. The number of the attendees was below expectations because the local person was not able to distribute fliers and invite guests.
Joy Molina led the praise and worship songs before Soar started discussing God’s proclamation to evangelize and disciple. Bro. Froi shared his miracle healing and God’s blessing. Fr. Rene also exhorted and explained passages in the Bible. The session ended around 7pm. The mission team, together with Fr. Rene and Fr. Harold, had a delightful evening while partaking Filipino dishes prepared by local friends Nimfa Bunag and Alex Fernandez at their residence.
Meeting with Fr. Aries Miranda
On the morning of day 4, August 30, the group started with the usual morning prayer. Fr. Aris came over and had a lengthy conversation with Soar. He also regretfully explained that his parish, which was supposed to be the venue for the SES, was still under renovation. Later in the evening, another fellowship dinner with Fr. Rene and Father Harold was held at “Manila” resto.
TLF Chapter Opportunity in Palermo, Italy
Saturday was a rest day for the mission team. While everyone was at the dormitory, a visitor of Fr. Harold, Fr. Gerry Osmod, who was also an Augustinian priest, was introduced to Soar. He is the prior of San Gregorio Papa Church, and came all the way from Palermo, Italy. After Soar shared the Lord’s Flock Community’s vision and mission, Fr. Gerry got excited and introduced the idea of setting up a TLF Chapter in Palermo where he is connected with the Filipino community. Indeed, this was an unexpected blessing to expand the territory in Italy.
Fr. Gerry was accompanied by a Filipina dentist, Josefa Uy; they both hail from Cebu. She asked Soar to pray over her and she instantly felt some relief from her spiritual burden. During their conversation, she was delighted to know that there is a TLF chapter in Cebu. She was immediately linked via facebook messenger with Eric Alcantara, Steward of Cebu Chapter; she promised to attend the Chapter’s GA and invite her friends as well.
Spirit Empowerment Seminar
On Sunday, September 1, the team had their regular McDonald’s coffee and croissant breakfast which Jess bought after his early morning jog. After preparing for the SES with their morning prayer, the team proceeded to Parrochia Asunzione De Maria. They arrived at 11am and met the team from Palma de Mallorca Chapter – Erlinda Domingo and Maribel Balicao, who flew-in to assist with the SES. Everybody became busy checking the materials and equipment to be used. John Marcelo, who was a TLF member from the early TLF EDSA days, provided some help in organizing the SES. The team had “Alpha” style fellowship with Fr. Harold, Fr. Rene, Nimfa and Alex.
The SES started at 1pm with praise and worship led by Joy Molina. Romel Bartolome, a long-time resident in Rome, and a former member of the Love Flock back in Manila, added vitality to the songs with his live guitar accompaniment. Fr. Harold and Fr. Rene were present to witness and participate in the conduct of the SES. Soar shared her life story before her renewal and how she was touched by the Lord to form the Lord’s Flock. She talked about “The Four Basic Truths” and expounded on the Biblical verses on the love of God, the sin of mankind, the salvation of Jesus and the need for repentance. Thereafter, she called on Bro. Froi, Judith, Joy, and Jess to share their testimonies which exemplified the work of the Holy Spirit in their conversion, renewal, and the signs and wonders that happened in their lives. Fifteen attendees listened attentively and experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit. Fr. Rene and Fr. Harold added solemnity with their tandem prayers. The spirit of joy and love filled the air as brotherly/sisterly hugs were shared among the teary-eyed participants and the mission teams. Nimfa Banag and Alex Fernandez led the new brothers and sisters in Christ and vowed to continue the works of the Spirit by inviting more Filipinos to join the TLF Rome Chapter praise and worship assembly every Sunday.
The celebration ended with a hearty dinner of adobo and pinakbet sponsored by Soar and cooked by John. By around 10pm, Soar’s Europe mission team headed back to their dormitory, while the Palma Chapter headed to the airport to catch their flight back home.
Stifling the Mission
A sunny Monday morning greeted the mission team on September 2nd as they woke up excited for the train trip to Venice (enroute to Bonn, Germany). However, they were shocked with the news that Joy received a call from her husband, Joey, that their son Vince was rushed to the hospital in Los Angeles for a possible operation of a brain tumor. Joy lost no time in booking a flight to LA. Soar led a prayer for Vince’s miracle healing and Joy’s safe travel. The trip to Venice was moved to the next day to give time for prayer, rest and planning for the next mission – to plant a Chapter in Bonn minus one steward who was their efficient travel organizer.
Overall, the Mission in Rome was a combination of the challenges in setting up a new chapter and wonderful blessings. The pre-event groundwork was insufficient which resulted in low attendance in the two activities; the team discussed the learnings and possible actions for future Chapters. On the other hand, the Lord sent three parish priests who provided guidance, inspiration, hospitality to the mission team, and a new opportunity for a Palermo Chapter.
To God be the glory!
SCRIBES Ministry
Written by: Jess Advincula
(Steward, SOWER Ministry)
