The Laity of the Chevalier Family, Gathering, Days 2 and 3
Day 2: This morning we visited four local parishes - San Roque Parish (Cordova), Our Lady of Fatima Parish (Pusok), Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish (Babar), and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish (Marigondon).
We were welcomed with an overwhelming joy and generosity that was moving and heartwarming.
Each parish proudly showcased their parish churches and grounds, history, ministries, and communities.
In the afternoon we were pilgrims to the National Shrine of Nuestra Senora Vergen de la Regla Parish (Lapu-Lapu City), which has a very interesting history dating back to the days of St. Augustine.
Next, we celebrated an awe-inspiring Eucharist within the beautiful church and supported by an angelic choir and prayerful liturgy.
The evening was fiesta time!
Again, there was a food feast and a program of music, songs, and dances, with some audience participation!
What really moved me was what Fr Absalon said at the end: “Thank you for choosing our spirituality. Thank you for being you - we learn from you. We will walk together, side by side.” With such hospitality from the heart, this day is an experience that will stay with us forever! We are now “heart-bonded”.
Day 3: After morning prayer prepared by Central and South America and singing the Assembly Song, the program began.
The speaker today was Father Ritchie Gomez MSC, an ecological farmer. He gave an extremely inspirational lecture. Some quotes that stayed with me:
We produce food without harming the earth
Our time needs new lay people who can look far into the future and someone who can hear the cry of the people.
Be the first to love.
The result of this lecture was that the Assembly decided to implement sustainability practices and skip the “meriendas” (snacks) and just take three daily meals to show solidarity with those people experiencing poverty and to care for the earth. Thus, the morning ended.
The afternoon introduced the voting process, which will be later in the week. Alison McKenzie, the General Secretary of the International LCF Council, thanked the International Council and the team. Merle introduced the new nominees for General Secretary, with the youngest participants nominated as the scrutineers.
We concluded with an uplifting mass celebrated by our sisters and brothers from Central and South America, followed by lively group discussions about our responsibilities for our common home.
