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CONSISTENT WITH the theme of the 2nd National Congress and 11th Foundation Day Celebrations of the PWHS, Mother Mary was the leading figure in the whole day event, which promoted THE ROSARY: PATH TO LIFE, LOVE AND LIGHT. July 19, 2003 turned out to be
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His Excellency Bishop Ramon Arguelles, Military Ordinate of the Philippines, was the main celebrant in the Concelebrated Mass marking the 2nd National Congress and the 11th Foundation Day of PWHS. With him are Fr. Albert Adaza and Fr. Richard Sales. On the left side is Baby Saavedra, core group member of the PWHS doing the First Reading. |
an unusual fair-weather day, as hundreds of PWHS members trooped to the WORSHIP HALL of the SPIRIT OF LOVE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY at the Manila Seedling Bank Compound.
Visually, there were several things that caught the attention of the participants: The awesome presence of the image of OUR LADY of LA NAVAL, which set the mood for the entire proceedings. She was resplendent and majestic in her queenly robes; the icon of the PWHS, a terracotta artwork done by artist Ton Raymundo showing a released soul in the embrace of Our Lord with the Blessed Mother; and standing out like a gem encased in glass, was the image of Our Lady of Fatima, a very special statue that came all the way from Fatima, Portugal, courtesy of a dear friend of the PWHS. Those who came close enough to scrutinize the
image were amazed at the beauty and uniqueness of the statue.
The night before, members of the PWHS core group attended mass and went on vigil, praying for the success and fruitfulness of the event.
The following morning, the auxiliary groups of the PWHS were at the registration tables, ready to take on the congress participants.
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Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, from Fatima, Portugal |
The choir of the St. Paul the Apostle Contemplative Prayer Group, led by Violette Ramiro and Dina Reyes (both PWHS core group members) provided the "Praise and Worship." The participants were so appreciative of their singing that quite a number asked if tapes were available for sale.
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Statue of Our Lady of La Naval, courtesy of the Parish of Sto. Domingo |
Bro. Ed Villacorte of the Center for Christian Leadership was the moderator of the programme and ensured the smooth flow of the activities with proper pacing.
The three speakers: Fr. John Cordero (subbed for Fr. Jojo Zerrudo), Dr. Arnold Monera, and Bishop Rolando Tirona, tackled the topics: "The Rosary: Purgatory’s Stairway to Heaven"; "The Rosary as a Compendium of the Gospel"; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel: Patroness of the Holy Souls" respectively. The fourth speaker, Chita G. Monfort, Executive Director of the PWHS, gave an update on the PWHS as an organization and as an apostolate.
There were three sharers: Araceli Grepo, Teodoro Amodio, and Sally So. Each one shared on what made them so involved in this apostolate.
The participants had a chance to interact during grouping time, after which everybody participated in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, concelebrated by Bishop Ramon Arguelles, Military Ordinate of the Philippines, Fr. Albert Adaza and Fr. Richard Sales. This was also a welcome opportunity to thank the Lord for inspired speakers, involved and active participants, and the anticipated fruitfulness of the activity.
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