The Lord’s Flock Catholic Charismatic Community fulfilled another mission – the Catholic Life in the Spirit Seminar and Maturing in the Spirit – in Tagbilaran, Bohol from August 30 to 31, 2025. This was in response to the request of Fr. Ryan Montealto, JCL, parish priest of St. Jude Thaddeus Shrine, who had met the members of The Lord’s Flock Chapter in Palma de Mallorca while he was studying Canon Law in Spain. He had given three teachings to the Chapter and was impressed with the impact of the charismatic renewal on their members. He expressed the desire to have a chapter in his parish in Bohol upon his return. The Palma stewards relayed this to Sis. Judith Almendrala (Elders’ Outreach Steward) while she was there in June during the Europe Outreach. She immediately arranged a video call with Fr. Ryan and TLF Elder-Founder, Techie “Soar” Rodriguez. This was followed by a personal visit by Sis. Judith and Bro. Allan Almendrala (SERVE Ministry Head Steward) to Fr. Ryan in St. Jude Parish in July. Thereafter, Soar excitedly mobilized the MISSION Ministry to spearhead the two-day seminar. Surely, this opportunity to plant a second chapter in the Visayas region was a call to bring more people closer to Jesus, consistent with the TLF vision and mission.
Preparation
The stewards of the Mission Ministry, Bro. Charlie Ordonez and Sis. Edna Pancho, coordinated with Sis. Judith Almendrala, and Sis. Clarivel Ingking (local coordinator assigned by Fr. Ryan). Then, they organized/identified the TLF Main speakers and finalized the program; furthermore, they sought the assistance of the Cebu Chapter steward, Bro. Eric Alcantara, to lead the praise and worship by the Psalm and Koros Ministries. Finally, two teams were formed: ten (10) from TLF Quezon City and eight (8) from Cebu City. Elder-Founder Bro. Bobby Rodriguez “Tatay Bob” and MISSION Ministry Head Steward, Sis. Lea Tapispisan led the multi-ministry group: Mission, Heralds (speakers of the Word), Psalm, Koros, Scribes, Comms and the Council of Advisers/Execom represented by Sis. Grace Lomarda. On the other hand, at the local level, Fr. Ryan delegated a team of parish workers and Sis. Clarivel to handle the registration of guests, logistics, and meals. Additionally, Fr. Ryan consistently announced the Seminar during the masses in the weeks leading up to the event.
Spirit Empowerment Seminar (SES): August 30, 2025
The lovely shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus welcomed ninety-three (93) guests, consisting of married couples, single men and women, youth, and kids who were eager to listen to God’s word. To give honor to the Lord, the program started with praise and worship initiated by Sis. Jessa Fernandez (also the emcee) with the Psalm and Koros Ministries, Cebu Chapter.
Fr. Ryan, who welcomed his parishioners and the TLF delegation, delivered the opening remarks and explained his goal of bringing a sustained spiritual formation program that augments the activities of the church. The first day focused on the fundamentals of the Catholic Life in the Spirit Seminar (CLSS) by Bro. Bobby and the Heralds Ministry:
Topic(s) Speaker(s)
- God’s Love and the Four Spiritual Truths Bro. Bobby
- Salvation Bro. Bert Gamez
- New Life Bro. Raymund Nobleza
- Receiving God’s Gift Bro. Bert Gamez
- Growth Bro. Jess Advincula
- Transformation Bro. Bobby
The highlight of the seminar, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, was conducted by Bro. Raymund. Essentially, it is not a sacrament (like the Baptism they received when they were babies) but a prayer experience to renew their baptismal vows and to accept the Holy Spirit as their helper, teacher, and advocate. The seminar participants shared the manifestations of the Holy Spirit during the baptism prayer: uncontrollable tears as they forgave those who had hurt them; a feeling of lightness as they released their anxieties and placed their trust in the Lord; a feeling of gratitude and willingness to serve because a charismatic renewal has taken roots in Bohol.
Maturing in the Spirit Seminar: August 31, 2025
The second part of the seminar sought to deepen the faith and how to live in accordance with God’s will.
To start the day, Sis. Joana from Cebu Koros Ministry led the praise and worship to honor God and to invite the presence of the Holy Spirit. Thereafter, Bro. Raymund summarized the highlights of the first day topics among the seventy-six (76) new and first-day participants. Also, the Heralds speakers who delivered the topics and shared their life’s experiences to give credence to the teaching were:
Topic(s) Speaker(s)
- Keys to Powerful Prayer Bro. Eric Alcantara
- Faith that Moves Mountains Bro. Bert Gamez
At 10a.m., the seminar took a break to participate in the Sunday Holy Eucharist presided by Fr. Ryan.
It resumed with the following teachings:
Topic(s) Speaker(s)
- Renewal of the Mind Bro. Raymund Nobleza
- Power of the Word Bro. Bert Gamez
- Turning Trials to Triumph Bro. Raymund Nobleza
- Life of Obedience Bro. Jess Advincula
Group discussions (by table) gave the participants opportunities to discuss their personal trials and struggles and to pray for one another.
In closing, Fr. Ryan encouraged the participants to take their faith to the next level and to live according to God’s commandments. He urged them to continue their spiritual journey by coming back every Friday, 530p.m. Finally, he thanked the Lord’s Flock Community for coming to Bohol to share God’s Word, their time, and their testimonies.
To God be the glory!
SCRIBES MINISTRY
Written by: Jo Advincula (Steward)
Edited by: Ma. Vera Tuplano (Steward)
