Lay Formation Center

Retreat Groups

2012-01-27T20:34:00.000+08:00

San Jacinto Catholic School Seniors

Camiling Catholic School Seniors

St. Charles Academy - Grade 6

St. Charles Academy Grade 3

2012-01-20T22:53:00.002+08:00

Mother Lourdes Learning School Recollection (Grade 6 and Third Year)

2012-01-13T22:19:00.001+08:00

St. John Cathedral School - Second Year HS

2012-01-13T22:12:00.001+08:00

St. John Cathedral School - First Year HS

2012-01-13T21:56:00.000+08:00

St. Charles Academy: Seniors Recollection (2nd Group)

2012-01-09T21:44:00.002+08:00

St. Charles Academy: Seniors Recollection (1st Group)

2012-01-06T21:14:00.002+08:00

2012 LFC Calendar

2012-01-03T14:28:00.000+08:00

Thanks to Rev. Matt Molina for the design.

2011-12-28T21:44:00.002+08:00

LFC Christmas Party for Staff and their Families

2011-12-23T19:40:00.000+08:00

Mother Goose Teachers' Retreat: A great success!

2011-12-23T18:52:00.000+08:00

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-15T17:35:00.000+08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9-lGM_R884

We begin the traditional Simbang Gabi Masses tomorrow here in the Philippines. I have been invited for masses in several parish churches and barangay chapels here in our Archdiocese. I assure you and your family of my prayers and love, especially this Christmas! Stay healthy!

LFC Staff pilgrimage to Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Baguio and Outing

2011-12-08T16:37:00.000+08:00

GUAGUA NATIONAL COLLEGES Teachers' Retreat

2011-12-06T16:33:00.002+08:00

DOMINICAN LAITY RETREAT and Christmas Party

2011-12-04T14:37:00.001+08:00

CWL Grand Reunion and Christmas Party

2011-12-04T14:32:00.000+08:00

School for Lay Leaders - Level III

2011-11-26T16:18:00.000+08:00

REVISED LOGO OF LFC

2011-11-18T11:55:00.004+08:00

This is the new LFC logo designed by Job Arano, a graduating student of the Mary Help of Christians College Seminary. He designed it according to the Spirituality of the ALD Lay Formation Center which is Christocentric and Mariological. It is Christ-centered, inspired by Mary. Job also centralized the chalice and host - the Eucharist which is the summit of our Christian Life. The silver and red lining joining the Body and Blood of Christ symbolize Baptism and Eucharist. Lay Spirituality is founded on Baptism and nurtured by the Eucharist. The rose petals on the cup of the chalice symbolize Mary, the Mystical Rose, the Theotokos - God bearer; while the thorns on the stem of the chalice represent suffering, the cross which is part of every Christian vocation. (Thanks also to Agnes Sison.)

NOVEMBER Groups

2011-11-14T17:59:00.000+08:00

Ednas Grade School

Polong National High School, Bugallon

Congratulations, Demar!

2011-11-11T22:01:00.000+08:00

Demar Guasis Garcia, LFC staff member and our scholar passed the recent Criminologist Board Exams given in Baguio City.

LFC is very proud of him!
Congratulations, Mac-Mac!

25th Regional Biblical Workshop

2011-11-07T10:16:00.001+08:00

FIRST Regional Conference for Youth Ministers (Nov 3-5, 2011)

2011-11-05T18:46:00.001+08:00

OUR LOGO

2011-11-02T09:44:00.000+08:00

ALD-CS Retreat (First Batch) - Oct 24-26, 2011

2011-10-31T18:46:00.000+08:00

Retreat for Teachers of Tarlac Diocesan Schools

2011-10-29T20:13:00.001+08:00

Concepcion Catholic School, Tarlac

Our Lady of Ransom Catholic School, Tarlac City (October 27-29, 2011)

San Luis Educational Foundation, Tarlac City (October 24-26, 2011)

UPDATING SEMINAR FOR LITURGICAL MINISTERS

2011-10-22T17:06:00.000+08:00

September 26, 2011

Memorial of Sts. Cosmas and Damian

My dear brothers in the ministry:

In pursuit of our pastoral thrust for renewed catechesis and intensified devotion to the Eucharist, we shall conduct the annual renewal seminar for all extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, readers and commentators on all the Saturdays of October and November and the first Saturday of December 2011 at the Lay Formation Center, Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm. The seminar fee is PhP200 to cover the expenses for the snacks and lunch.

The “I” of ICTHUS, i.e. integration of faith and life, will be the formation theme for this year. The modules on the “Spirituality of the Social Teachings of the Church” will be given by Father Allan Soriano.

Enclosed is the schedule of formation seminars and the parishes assigned for each of the Saturdays.

According to an existing archdiocesan policy, this seminar is obligatory for all extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, readers and commentators. Their mandate to exercise this liturgical ministry will be revoked if they fail to attend the annual renewal seminar. They must bring a letter of recommendation from the parish priest upon registration at the start of the seminar.

I trust that you share my conviction that what the Church needs now is lay formation for true lay empowerment. Please continue to encourage new and young lay leaders from the parish community. I invoke my blessings upon you and your ministry.

Sincerely yours,

+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS

Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan

———————————-

SCHEDULE OF UPDATING SEMINAR for LITURGICAL MINISTERS

(Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion)

October 1: St. Gabriel the Archangel, Holy Cross, Holy Family (Sta. Barbara), Cristo Divino Tesoro, Chapel of the Resurection.

October 8: St. John the Evangelist, St. Therese.

October 15: St. Ildephonse, St. Dominic, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Malasiqui Catholic School.

October 22: St. Hyacinth, Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Holy Family (Tandoc), St. Columban’s College, Jesus the Nazarene.

October 29: Annunciation of the Lord, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Sts. Peter and Paul.

November 5: St. John the Evangelist-District, St. Rose of Lima, St. Pius V, St. Joseph the Patriach, Mary Help of Christians.

November 12: Our Lady of Purification, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. John the Baptist, Our Lady of Miraculous Medal.

November 19: Epiphany of the Lord, VMUF Chapel, St. Vincent Ferrer.

November 26: Most Holy Rosary, St. Fabian, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Joseph Husband of Mary, St. Anthony of Padua, Binmaley Catholic School.

December 3: Those who were not able to attend their scheduled date can only move to this date. But it is important to call 515-8306 so that they will be pre-registered on this date.

Clarise Angels School Recollection

2011-10-22T17:02:00.000+08:00

BEAUTIFUL RETREAT of St. Paul School Teachers from Nueva Ecija

2011-10-19T16:56:00.002+08:00

NEW Signage at LFC Main Entrance

2011-10-18T17:15:00.000+08:00

Sta. Cruz Academy Juniors

2011-10-07T10:29:00.002+08:00

Immaculate Conception Academy, Guagua Pampanga

2011-10-05T19:01:00.001+08:00

JUNIORS RECOLLECTION: Sta. Cruz Academy, Iba Zambales

2011-10-05T09:58:00.000+08:00

LFC 6th Anniversary Mass in Honor of San Lorenzo Ruiz

2011-09-28T00:23:00.000+08:00

September 27-28, 2011 : LFC's 6th Anniversary

2011-09-20T16:41:00.000+08:00

On Tuesday, the 27th of September 2011, we shall celebrate the 6th Anniversary of the Lay Formation Center. Our Mass will be presided over by the Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, our dear Archbishop at 6PM. The Council of the Laity (ONLA-ALD) and the Mary Help of Christians College Seminary will be present along with priests and YOU. Please join us.

St. Columban's College (Olongapo City) Retreat - Batch IV

2011-09-16T13:18:00.000+08:00

THE PRIEST: A Prayer on Saturday Night

2011-09-10T09:31:00.000+08:00

Tonight, Lord, I am alone.

Little by little the sounds died down in the church.

The people went away,

And I came home,

Alone.

I passed people who were returning from a walk.

I went by the movie house that was disgorging its crowd.

I skirted cafe terraces where tired strollers were trying to prolong the pleasure

of a Sunday holiday.

I bumped into youngsters playing on the sidewalk,

Youngsters, Lord,

Other people's youngsters, who will never be my own.

Here I am, Lord,

Alone.

The silence troubles me,

The solitude oppresses me.

. . . . . . . . . .

Lord, I'm thirty-five years old,

A body made like others,

Arms ready for work,

A heart meant for love,

But I've given you all.

It's true, of course, that you needed it.

I've given you all, but it's hard, Lord.

It's hard to give one's body; it would like to give itself to others.

It's hard to love everyone and to claim no one.

It's hard to shake a hand and not want to retain it.

It's hard to inspire affection, only to give it to you.

It's hard to be nothing to oneself in order to be everything to others.

It's hard to be like others, among others, and to be other.

It's hard always to give without trying to receive.

It's hard to seek out others and to be, oneself, unsought.

It's hard to suffer from the sins of others, and yet be obliged to hear and bear them.

It's hard to be told secrets, and be unable to share them.

It's hard to carry others and never, even for a moment, be carried.

It's hard to sustain the feeble and never be able to lean on one who is strong.

It's hard to be alone,

Alone before everyone,

Alone before the world,

Alone before suffering,

death,

sin.

Son, you are not alone,

I am with you;

I am you.

For I needed another human instrument to continue my Incarnation and my Redemption.

Out of all eternity, I chose you,

I need you.

I need your hands to continue to bless,

I need your lips to continue to speak,

I need your body to continue to suffer,

I need your hearts to continue to love,

I need you to continue to save.

Stay with me, son.

Here I am, Lord;

Here is my body,

Here is my heart,

Here is my soul.

Grant that I may be big enough to reach the world,

Strong enugh to carry it,

Pure enough to embrace it without wanting to keep it.

Grant that I may be a meeting-place, but a temporary one,

A road that does not end in itself, because everything to be gathered there, everyting human, leads toward you.

Lord, tonight, while all is still and I feel sharply the sting of solitude,

While men devour my soul and I feel incapable of satisfying their hunger,

While the whole world presses on my shoulders with all its weight of misery and sin,

I repeat to you my "yes" -- not in a burst of laughter, but slowly, clearly, humbly,

Alone, Lord, before you,

In the peace of the evening.

- Michel Quoist, 1954, France.

Wedding of one of LFC's employees

2011-09-04T21:13:00.000+08:00

Mr. and Mrs. Ramil Castillo

Ramil with Fr. Mario. Ramil has been working at LFC since 2008.

Ate Susan, Ate Rosie, Louie and wife Joy with the newly weds.

The LFC Staff with the couple

St. Columban's College (Olongapo City) Retreat - Batch III

2011-08-27T09:42:00.001+08:00

Divine Word Academy of Dagupan - Elementary Kids Recollection

2011-08-23T14:22:00.000+08:00

Formation for Campus Youth Ministry (organized by MMHJ Fathers)

2011-08-23T12:35:00.000+08:00

Recollection of Third Year HS Students - St. Columban's College (Lingayen)

2011-08-11T17:08:00.000+08:00

Third Year - Timothy

Third Year - Peter

Third Year - Paul

Third Year - Titus

DIOCESE OF IBA Clergy Recollection

2011-08-10T14:19:00.000+08:00

ALDCS Teachers' Seminar on the Art of Listening with Dra. Nenita Tandingan

2011-08-09T08:29:00.000+08:00

St. Columban's College (Olongapo City) College Teachers' Retreat

2011-07-29T06:45:00.003+08:00

Thanks to Romell Velasco Isidro for the "marked" pictures.

Dominican School, Dagupan City - Second Year HS Reco

2011-07-27T06:56:00.002+08:00

CHERISHED MOMENTS (Grade 6) Retreat with Bishop Cabrera

2011-07-23T18:21:00.000+08:00

St. Columban's College (Olongapo City) RETREAT

2011-07-23T18:16:00.000+08:00

DOMINICAN SCHOOL RECOLLECTION - First Year

2011-07-14T07:50:00.000+08:00

DOMINICAN SCHOOL RECOLLECTION - Grade 6

2011-07-13T11:39:00.000+08:00

ONE-DAY RECOLLECTION MODULES at LFC

2011-07-01T17:45:00.002+08:00

Jesus-Others-You (JOY)

+ Basic Recollection Program for children developed at LFC
+ One-day only

RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE
8:00 AM Arrival and Registration
9:00 Orientation Talk
Snacks
10:00 First Session:
Who is Jesus Christ?
Activity
12:00 NN Lunch Break and Rest
2:00 PM Second Session:
Jesus: the Way,
the Truth and the Life
Activity
3:30 Eucharistic Celebration
4:30 Snacks
Home Sweet Home

CONVERSION

+ Basic Recollection Program for teenagers developed at LFC
+ One-day only

RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE
8:00 AM Arrival and Registration
9:00 Orientation Talk
Snacks
10:00 First Session:
Meaning of Holiness
Activity
12:00 NN Lunch Break and Rest
2:00 PM Second Session:
Meaning of Conversion
Individual Confessions
3:30 Eucharistic Celebration
4:30 Snacks
Home Sweet Home

LFC RECOLLECTION MODULES FOR HIGH SCHOOL

2011-07-01T17:44:00.002+08:00

Jesus Christ:
the Way, the Truth, the Life

+ Basic Recollection Program developed at LFC
+ Ideal For High School Students
(24-hour-stay [overnight])

RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE
8:00 AM Arrival and Registration
9:00 Orientation Talk
Snacks
10:00 First Session:
What is a Recollection?
Activity
12:00 NN Lunch Break and Rest
2:00 PM Second Session:
Jesus: the Way,
the Truth and the Life
Activity
3:30 Afternoon Break
4:00 Third Session:
The “Our Father”
5:00 Penitential Rite
Individual Confessions
6:00 PM Eucharistic Celbration
7:00 Dinner
8:00 Community Sharing

NEXT DAY
6:00 AM Morning Walk/Prayers
along Tondaligan Beach
Breakfast by the Beach
8:00 Holy Rosary
Departure/Home Sweet Home

LFC RECOLLECTION MODULES FOR TEACHERS

2011-07-01T17:42:00.000+08:00

Life, Love and Happiness
+ Basic Retreat Program developed at LFC
+ Ideal For Teachers or Adult Lay Leaders
(2 full days, 2 nights)

RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE
8:00 AM Arrival and Registration
9:00 Orientation Talk
Snacks
10:00 First Session:
What is a Retreat?
Activity
12:00 NN Lunch Break and Rest
2:00 PM Second Session:
Meaning of Life in God
Activity
3:30 Afternoon Break
4:00 Third Session:
Meaning of Happiness
5:00 Penitential Rite
Individual Confessions
6:00 PM Eucharistic Celebration
7:00 Dinner
8:00 Community Sharing
NEXT DAY
6:00 AM Morning Walk/Prayers
along Tondaligan Beach
Breakfast by the Beach
9:00 AM Fourth Session
Christian Family Life
10:30 Coffee Break
11:00 Christian Prayer
12:00 NN Lunch Break
2:30 PM Gratitude Session
4:00 Afternoon Break
6:00 PM Eucharistic Celebration
7:00 Dinner
8:00 Community Sharing
LAST DAY
6:00 Morning Prayer
7:00 Breakfast
8:00 Departure for Manaoag
9:00 Pilgrimage and Mass
Home Sweet Home

Christian Prayer Life
+ Recollection-Seminar based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church section on PRAYER
+ Ideal For Teachers, Employees or Adult Lay Leaders
(2 full days, 2 nights)

RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE
8:00 AM Arrival and Registration
9:00 Orientation Talk
Snacks
10:00 First Session:
Encountering the Lord
in Prayer
Activity
12:00 NN Lunch Break and Rest
2:00 PM Second Session:
Prayer in Christian Life
Activity
3:30 Afternoon Break
4:00 Third Session:
The Tradition of Prayer
5:00 Penitential Rite
Individual Confessions
6:00 PM Eucharistic Celebration
7:00 Dinner
8:00 Community Sharing
NEXT DAY
6:00 AM Morning Walk/Prayers
along Tondaligan Beach
Breakfast by the Beach
9:00 AM Fourth Session
The Life of Prayer
10:30 Coffee Break
11:00 The Lord’s Prayer
12:00 NN Lunch Break
2:30 PM Gratitude Session
4:00 Afternoon Break
6:00 PM Eucharistic Celebration
7:00 Dinner
8:00 Community Sharing
LAST DAY
6:00 Morning Prayer
7:00 Breakfast/Departure

LFC BROCHURE 2011

2011-07-01T17:31:00.006+08:00

LFC GUESTHOUSE BROCHURE

2011-07-01T17:29:00.006+08:00

Little Brethren of Mary Anniversary at LFC

2011-06-26T16:13:00.000+08:00

Delegates from Pangasinan, Cavite, Laguna, Benguet and Tarlac

SEMINAR ON STUDY HABITS AND METHODS with Ms. Cecilia Lana

2011-06-26T16:09:00.000+08:00

The Newcomers - 17 Freshmen, 2 college graduates

The Seniors - 9 of them (2 missing?)

The Junior Class - 15 seminarians

The Sophomores - 16 seminarians

Graduation of Level II - ALD School of Lay Leaders (on the Spirituality of Stewardship)

2011-06-18T18:37:00.000+08:00

Seminar on the Pastoral Care of the Sick

2011-06-18T18:19:00.000+08:00

Fr. Brian Rances, a Camillian Priest gave the "pastoral care" aspect.

Fr. Eric Galivo gave the liturgical aspect.

Sta. Cruz Academy (Zambales) Teachers' Retreat

2011-06-16T16:41:00.002+08:00

The teachers of Sta. Cruz Academy of Iba, Zambales had their retreat at LFC this June with Fr. Emmanuel Jose S. Montes, their School Director as Retreat Facilitator. These pictures were taken from Facebook. Thanks to Austeen Mose and Jennefer Clemen Misola. Look at their joy of being at LFC! We thank Fr. Montes and the teachers for choosing LFC!

LFC GUEST HOUSE PICTURES

2011-06-13T16:59:00.000+08:00

2011 SUMMER RECOLLECTIONS FOR LITURGICAL MINISTERS END at PENTECOST VIGIL

2011-06-12T08:11:00.000+08:00

The Recollections for Liturgical Ministers (Lectors/Commentators, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Music Ministers, Social Action Ministers, Usher/Usherettes and Collecta Teams) ended a day before the Pentecost, 11 June 2011.

The theme of this year's Summer Recollection is on Stewardship. Fr. Mario DC Sanchez gave a three-part conference in the morning covering the meaning of stewardship, the summary of the USCCB's Pastoral letter on Stewardship, and Archbishop Socrates Villegas' Pastoral Letters on Stewardship. The afternoon session of the Recollection was always given by Fr. Eric Galivo, the Liturgist of the Archdiocese for important Liturgical Notes for practical application in the exercise of the various Liturgical ministries.

Fr. Eric Galivo giving the conference on the Liturgy.

Archbishop Soc Villegas giving a homily on Pentecost Vigil.

RECOLLECTION OF PARISH WORKERS

2011-06-10T17:31:00.000+08:00

The Parish Workers (Sacristans, Secretaries, Personnel) were given a Recollection Seminar on the Bible at LFC this year. Each worker was given a free MTBO Bible and was taught how to use it, read it and share it. Thanks to the BA representatives who volunteered to give the seminar. Bishop Mayugba presided the Mass at the conclusion of the seminar.

Bishop Rene Mayugba, Fr. Mario and the Biblical Apostolate Team

Parish Workers from Vicariates I (Queen of Apostles), II (Queen of Angels)

Parish Workers fVicariates III (Queen of Holy Rosary), IV (Queen of Peace)

PRAYER FOR THE LAITY (RCALD)

2011-05-22T08:06:00.003+08:00

PRAYER FOR THE LAITY

God almighty,
through Jesus Christ you have brought us
to the knowledge of your truth,
and united us in faith and baptism

Bless the lay associations and movements,
apostolates and ministries
in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.

Taking up the challenge of stewardship,
may the pastors and their flock unite together
in pursuit of integration of faith and life,
in the work of catechesis and evangelization,
in the spirit of thanksgiving,
in the mission of unity and diversity
and in the promotion of service, charity and justice.

God of unity, grant that all families in every parish
may be gathered together to form one Church
through the guidance and example of Mary,
Mother of our people, Our Lady of Manaoag
and Saint John the Evangelist our holy patron,
now and forever. Amen.

———————————

SAY DASAL PARA SARAY LAIKO

Dios a makapanyari, diad panamegley nen Jesucristo,
impaamta Yod sikami so kakabatan na say katwaan Yo,
tan inpankasakey Yo kami ed pananisia tan diad binyag.

Bendisionan Yo ray olupan tan saray kimey tan panaglingkur
ed Simbaan na saray laiko na Arkidiosis na Lingayen-Dagupan.

Diad say pangako na say tawag na Panag-asikaso,
saray papari tan saray olup da so mantitipon komon diad
say tawag na pankakasakey na Pananisia tan Kabibilay,
diad kimey na katekismo tan panangibawag na Ibanghilo,
diad ispirito na pisasalamat,
diad misyon na pankakasakey ed kapegleyan na pandudumaan,
tan diad say pangipalapag na panaglinkur, panangaro tan katonongan.

Dios na Pankakasakey,
komon amin a pamilya ed tonggal parokya
so natogyop ya manbokel a saksakey a Simbaan
unong ed say panangampaya tan oliran nen Maria,
Ina na saray totoo mi, Birhen na Manaoag
tan di San Juan Evangelista, say masanton patron mi natan
tan diad ando lan ando. Amen.

LFC Scholar, Demar "Mac-Mac" Garcia graduates!

2011-05-05T14:57:00.001+08:00

Demar or Mac-Mac graduated from University of Luzon last April 2011 with a B.S. degree in Criminology. He was sent to College by the Lay Formation Center. He is now preparing for the board exams.

Ms. Cecilia Lana and the ALD Seminarians

2011-05-05T14:42:00.000+08:00

BLESSING OF THE LFC GUESTHOUSE

2011-04-30T22:43:00.000+08:00

On the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday and John Paul II's beatification (and Solemnity of St. Joseph the Worker), the Pistay Dayat in Pangasinan, the LFC Guest House is blessed by His Excellency, the Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan. Fr. Mario Morales, Rector of the Mary Help of Christians College Seminary and Msgr. Orlando Sabangan, former Vicar General, joined in the Eucharistic Celebration and Blessing. About 100 guests came to celebrate, others extended their greetings and prayers because there was heavy traffic in Dagupan for the summer festivities and could not attend.

We thank God for this new facility at LFC.

2011-04-27T08:38:00.004+08:00

Welcome to LFC Guest House!

The LFC Guest House is the newest facility at the Lay Formation Center (LFC). It has eight air-conditioned rooms equipped with private toilet and bath, and a television set. The third floor has two small halls for small group (10-20) retreats and recollections.

OPENING RATES (valid from May 1, 2011 until revised)

Rooms 1, 4, 5 and 8 (two QUEEN size – 54in by 75in – beds)

Overnight – Php 1,000 * 24-hour-stay – Php 1,200 * In-house – Php 800

Rooms 2, 3 and 6 (one QUEEN size bed) and Room 7 (double-deck)

Overnight – Php 800 * 24-hour-stay – Php 1,000 * In-house – Php 500

Small Halls (Holy Virgin Mary Hall and Blessed John Paul II Hall)

10 straight hours – Php 2,000 and for every additional hour Php 100/hr.

Food: Php 100/meal and Php 50/snacks. Meals and snacks are taken at LFC dining area.

DISCOUNTS:

One week reservation with full payment get 10% discount.

Priests and religious get 20% discount.

RESERVATIONS: 075-515-8306 (office hours) and 0917-2442-391 (anytime)

Basic Formation Seminar for NEW Liturgical Ministers

2011-04-19T22:46:00.000+08:00

Bishop Rene Mayugba

Archbishop Soc with LFC Friends

RETREAT of SAN JUAN DELA CRUZ PARISH (organized by Worship Com), Valenzuela City

2011-04-17T10:24:00.000+08:00

MEDICAL MISSION at LFC on April 15 and 16

2011-04-06T20:28:00.003+08:00

ALTERNATIVE HOLY WEEK

The season of lent stands on three co-equal legs—prayers, penance and love. The prevailing atmosphere of this season is truly penance and mortification. More prayers are also offered to God on these penitential days. Sadly, the almsgiving and charity component of the Lenten season is not given the consideration it rightfully deserves. It is good to be reminded that what make the Holy Week holy are not the prayers we offer and penances we do. Prayers without love are empty. Penance without almsgiving could be just an ego trip on strengthening will power. Love makes this season holy. Prayers can be inspiring and penances can be admirable but only love can redeem. Only love saves. Love alone sanctifies us.

As we move closer to Holy Week, the Archdiocese of Lingayen Dagupan will carry a pilgrimage of charity in the poor sections of Central Pangasinan by conducting charity medical, dental and surgical missions. The sick and the poor in our marginalized areas will receive charity medical assistance from their healthier brothers and sisters.

The pilgrimage of charity will start on April 4 at the Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Canan, Malasiqui. Here are the succeeding areas of piligrimage—April 7 at Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, Villanueva, Bautista; April 9 at Cristo Divino Tesoro in Buenlag, Calasiao; April 11 at Holy Family Parish, Tandoc, San Carlos City; April 16 at the Lay Formation Center, Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City; and May 2 at the San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish, Wawa, Bayambang.

Our friends from Pangasinan, Edsa Shrine, Order of Malta, Makati Medical Center and the Saint Paul de Chartres Sisters will extend their help for the project.

Let us explore an alternative way of celebrating Holy Week. As we keep our pious practices like the stations of the cross, confessions, visita iglesia and penitensiya, let us also consider making acts of charity to the poor as the way to share in the spirit of the Lenten season.

Our Catholic faithful can consider visiting fourteen patients in our government hospitals and meditate, as you visit them, on the sufferings of Christ. As we console them or bring them some food or drink, we can see how the sufferings of Christ continue in the midst of us.

In honor of the passion of the Lord who was treated as a criminal although he was sinless, we can visit the jails in our towns and cities and share the mercy of God to those behind bars. We can bring them our prayers and greetings and volunteer to be couriers of their letters that they want to send to their loved ones who are unable to visit them.

We can bring food to the children in the Mother Teresa Home of Charity in Dagupan City or clear our clothes cabinets and send our used clothes and footwear to the poor in honor of the stripping of the Lord and his humiliation at Calvary.

In 1981, when Pope John Paul II visited the Philippines for the first time, he expressed his wish to visit the lepers in Tala leprosarium in Novaliches. Because of the restrictions of security, he was unable to visit but the lepers were brought to Radio Veritas in Fairview so the Pope could at least bless them. As soon as the Pope saw the lepers lined up behind stage in the auditorium, even before the lepers could kneel to kiss the hands of the Pope, Pope John Paul II knelt down in front of the leper, kissed his leprous hands and exclaimed before the leper "My Lord!"

Give love this Lenten season. Pour love into your prayers. Let your penance overflow into charity.

From the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist, Dagupan City, April 1, 2011

+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS

Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan

LFC Guest House to be blessed on April 30, 2011

2011-04-01T17:34:00.001+08:00

The LFC Guesthouse is a new facility at the Lay Formation Center in order to meet the needs of our guests who desire rooms with private toilet and bath. The 10-bedroom guesthouse will be blessed on April 30, 2011 (Saturday) at 5:00 PM by His Excellency, the Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, our beloved Archbishop.

SCHEDULE OF SUMMER RECOLLECTION FOR ALD LITURGICAL MINISTERS FROM APRIL TO JUNE 2011

2011-03-31T10:12:00.001+08:00

8:00 AM Arrival and Registration
8:15 Holy Rosary
8:45 Eucharistic Celebration
9:30 Snacks
10:00 Conference on Stewardship
by Fr. Mario Dominic C. Sanchez
Part I: What is Stewardship?
Part II: Stewardship according to USCCB
Part III: Meditations on Stewardship according to SBV
12:00 NN Lunch Break
1:00 PM Lenten or Easter Meditations
2:00 Conference on Liturgy
by Fr. Eric Galivo
Part I: Structural Elements and the Order of the Mass
Part II: Liturgical Gestures, Movements and Posture
4:00 Penitential Rite and Confessions
Snacks * Home Sweet Home

Retreat for College Students

2011-03-28T08:41:00.002+08:00

It is a surprise this year that at LFC, we have received college students coming for Retreat before graduation. We used to have only High School Seniors, but now the spiritual hunger has also been attended to even in the college level. We pray that the spiritual need be responded to by even the bigger colleges and universities in Pangasinan and the surrounding provinces.

Perpetual Help College of Pangasinan (Malasiqui)

Collegio de Dagupan (Accountancy Department)

Palaris Colleges (San Carlos City)

Bro. Herbert, now a deacon! Let us pray for his ministry....

2011-03-22T20:18:00.001+08:00

Rev. Herbert was the seminarian who became our speaker on the Liturgy of the Hours during the Updating-Seminar organized for the Lay Liturgical Ministers in our Archdiocese.

Thanks to Noli Yamsuan for the pictures from the rcam.org website...

DIFFERENT GROUPS

2011-03-18T15:40:00.000+08:00

San Jacinto Catholic School Seniors

Perpetual Help College Students (Malasiqui)

St. Columban's Institute Seniors (Domalandan)

Mother Goose High School (Urdaneta) - Seniors' Retreat

2011-03-11T10:28:00.001+08:00

Fr. Mario's Recollection for Teachers

2011-03-05T16:43:00.000+08:00

We invite teachers during these summer months to experience a Retreat (longer) or Recollection (shorter) at LFC. Fr. Mario has a program for groups who wish to experience a closer encounter with the Lord through the Scriptures. For more details, please contact us: 09172442391.

Below are pictures taken at Mass and after it on the Recollection Day of the teachers from Malabago and Buenlag National High Schools (Calasiao).

STEWARDSHIP, the THEME of the SUMMER RECOLLECTION for Liturgical Ministers

2011-03-03T18:54:00.006+08:00

RETREAT for RCALD-CS Principals and Administration

2011-02-27T17:54:00.004+08:00

COLLEGE STUDENTS' Recollection

2011-02-25T09:16:00.000+08:00

Graduating College Students of St. Columban's in Lingayen, after their recollection at LFC facilitated by Fr. Mario and Sis. Susan. It was an experience to remember. Congratulations!

CONSTRUCTION OF "LFC BEDROOMS"

2011-02-23T11:10:00.001+08:00

The new three-storey building is on the western front of the LFC building. It has 10 rooms.

View from inside the third floor looking towards north (Annunciation of the Lord Parish)

THINKING ABOUT ENTERING THE COLLEGE SEMINARY?

2011-02-20T09:25:00.000+08:00

APPLICANTS TO THE COLLEGE SEMINARY: Please make an appointment for the exams and inquire about the requirements: the contact numbers are 515-8306 (Seminary) or 09174712224 (Rea) or 09321914290 (Rosie).

RCALD Teachers' Retreat

2011-02-04T10:23:00.002+08:00

Adorers of the Holy Trinity

2011-02-04T10:19:00.000+08:00

Recollection Season

2011-01-24T17:55:00.003+08:00

We are expecting many groups these months of January, February and March for the retreats and recollections of students. In our list are St. Charles Academy of San Carlos City, Binmaley Catholic School, Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic School from Isabela Province, Perpetual Help College of Pangasinan in Malasiqui, San Jacinto Catholic School, Sto. Tomas Catholic School in Mangaldan, Mother Goose High School of Urdaneta. We have a few more days available for other schools, and we invite our prospective groups to book early. LFC offers the lowest accommodation rates in the world!

St. John Cathedral School SENIORS RETREAT

STA. ROSA CATHOLIC SCHOOL, Paniqui, Tarlac

Part of the retreat that we give at LFC is a walk by the Tondaligan Beach in the morning.

We also have breakfast there!

Sta. Rosa Catholic School

2011-01-05T13:30:00.000+08:00

EAST TIMOR PRESIDENT and SCHOLARS

2011-01-01T13:30:00.000+08:00

Happy New Year!

2010-12-30T13:01:00.001+08:00

LFC 2011 Calendar features from top, counter-clockwise: Archbishop Socrates Villegas and the LFC Staff, Fr. Ernie and the Catechists of the Diocese of Balanga, the Chapel at Night during the Retreat of ALD Catholic School Teachers, a retreatant in front of the LFC building, Union or Prayer for Vocations orgainized by the Rogationist Fathers, Fr. Mario with the new statue of San Lorenzo Ruiz in the middle of the LFC Park, Grade School pupils of St. Charles Academy, Graduating High School Students from St. John's Cathedral School, Biggest group at LFC Facebook account - the second year students of St. Columban's College and High School Students from St. John.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T19:45:00.000+08:00

Merry Christmas to all from Father Mario and the LFC Staff! Here Fr. Mario DC Sanchez, is with his Advisory Class (Sophomores) in the College Seminary after the Investiture on December 19, 2010. In the picture is Archbishop Soc, Fr. Mario Morales, Fr. Eric and soon to be ordained priest, Rev. Allan.

SECOND FLOOR of the LFC Guestrooms Bldg.

2010-12-15T13:08:00.000+08:00

FOUNDATION of the new building with 8bedrooms and t/b west-front of LFC.

2010-11-22T18:04:00.003+08:00

THANK YOU, FQD SSHS Seniors for thanking us!

2010-11-19T22:21:00.000+08:00

St. John Cathedral School SECOND YEAR RECO

2010-11-19T22:09:00.000+08:00

St. John Cathedral School FIRST YEAR RECO

2010-11-19T22:02:00.000+08:00

A PROJECT SOON TO COME TRUE, with GOD's GRACE

2010-11-15T21:25:00.000+08:00

This is a two-story building with eight bedrooms (with toilet and bath each) and will soon rise between the LFC building and the Simbaan na Bato. If you want make this project come to reality, please support LFC. Choose LFC as venue for your school/parish retreats, recollections, seminars and conferences.

St. Charles Academy SOPHOMORES Recollection

2010-11-10T23:17:00.001+08:00

St. Charles Academy FRESHMEN Recollection

2010-11-09T22:11:00.000+08:00

Regional Echo Convivence for the Beginning of the Year of the ALD Neo-Catechumenal Communities

2010-11-07T20:42:00.004+08:00

Thanks to Christine Grace Honrado Abayan for the pictures uploaded in FB.

Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life (CFCFFL)

2010-11-03T20:17:00.005+08:00

3 November 2010

Dear Friends:

Greetings of peace and joy in the Lord!

The Archbishop, our beloved Father Soc, envisions that in the next five years, new and well formed lay leaders may emerge from the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan to insure the stability of the Christian faith in Pangasinan.

He has accepted the request of Couples for Christ foundation for Family and Life (CFCFFL) to conduct Christian Life Programs in the Archdiocese. The goal of the Archbishop for encouraging this movement here is to make available adult evangelization programs and strengthen family life.

I was tasked to coordinate the pioneer Christian Life Program (CLP) in our Archdiocese to be held at the Lay Formation Center, and to ask couples in the Archdiocese who may want to attend the CLP.

The initial meetings will be on November 20-21, 27-28 and December 4-5. If you feel that you are called for this renewal, may I kindly ask you to register to Delia before November 17 (Wednesday)?

Delia may be contacted at LFC (075) 515-8306. She will be able to give the “registering” couples fliers and more information.

Thank you very much for your kind attention.

Very sincerely in Jesus,

Fr. Mario Dominic C. Sanchez, LFC Director

Sta. Cruz Catholic School (Zambales)

2010-10-28T19:54:00.002+08:00