GOD poured out His graces and blessings in Jubilee Year 2000 and the Bukas Loob sa Diyos-Hong Kong (BLD-HK) Community enjoyed its fair share.
The harvest was rich, with 62 LSS graduates from the LSS Outreach conducted by BLD-HK for St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Tsing Yi.
The harvest was rich, with 62 LSS graduates from the LSS Outreach conducted by BLD-HK for St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Tsing Yi.
Coordinated by Efren & Cielo Santelices and Yerrick & Tess Jaramillo, the Tsing Yi Outreach was designed to serve the spiritual needs of the English-speaking community at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish. It was conducted over three successive Sundays: October 8, 15 and 22 (See story on page 2) and the whole BLD-HK community participated, answering God's call to serve Him and His children. In addition, LSS 22 (May 19-21) was blessed with 24 graduates, SE 6 had 24 graduates, while 16-and-a-half (16 couples and one priest) graduated from ME 19.
Spearheaded by LSS Coordinators Gary & Nanette de Guzman as well as Class Shepherds Vicky & Beng Marinas, and Neth Lintag, LSS 22 had Fr. Albert Venus as the Weekend's Spritual Director.
The ME 19 Weekend, held at the Salesian retreat house in Cheung Chau Island on November 10-12, also proved God's gracious waysconsidering it came about after a long delay. Spearheaded by Tony & Tess Romero (MLA) and Charlie & Tina Gonzalez (ME 18 Class Shepherds), the Weekend was a Spirit-filled effort, the result of a united effort by the whole ME family of Hong Kong. Graduates from all previous ME classes, joined with the ME 18 class coordinators in doing a yeoman's job of serving the needs of the candidates, with God's grace. Fr Jun Inocencio, Jun & Buding Gabriel and Jay & Techie Llantada comprised the Weekend's pastoral team.
Not to be outdone, the singles of the community, led by Gles Panes, Amy Llabres, and Susan Cheung, also did remarkable work in sponsoring SE 6, held on September 8-10 at the Salesian Retreat House in Cheung Chau. Fr. Ronnie Arong, Danny Maglutac, and Gay Fernandez made up the pastoral team.
To end the blessed, fruitful and memorable Jubilee year, the BLD-HK held its traditional Christmas party in Chi Fu on December 9.
Of course, the year was not without its sad moments, the most poignant one being the permanent departure of our beloved Tri-cord members Tito Jojo & Tita Malou Mirasol, who were called by the Lord to help build a new BLD Community in Los Angeles, California.
Another important event in Jubilee year 2000 was the reorganisation of the Body of Coordinators (BOC) and the formation of the Interim Core Group Leaders made up of three couples including: Jeff & Jigs Abiera, in charge of Formation, Robi & Let Gallardo, in charge of Management, and Ed & Tess Ubamos, in charge of Evangalization. Tito Vinnie & Tita Rosie Yu have since assumed pastoral duties.
Jubilee year 2000 was indeed a year of grace for the BLD-HK Community and we pray that 2001 will be as blessed if not more so