Genesis Happenings~HERE'S THE LATEST

 

Every year, November has been extremely busy for Genesis, primarily because of preparations for the Anniversary.  This year was busier than busy due to the several highs and lows that happened. 

 

The month started with the Children’s Mass last November 2, 2001.  Fr. Van could not have been the better choice to conduct the Mass as he really got the full attention of the kids from start to finish.  For the first time the Genesis kids had the chance to lead the entire Mass while the parents took the back seat.  Thanks again for the patience and dedication of Sis. Beth Manibog who made the occasion possible, with the assistance of Sis. Richel Calio and Sis. Ira Sol.  Praise the Lord for the cooperation and the willingness of the children to serve and offer thanksgiving to our Lord.  And the kids sure got a high from all the excitement during the Mass.

 

Last Nov. 4, several members of the Community had a physical high from playing volleyball with our sister community KKKA at Gelanggang Mahasiswa, Pasar Festival, Kuningan.  The volleyball fun game was participated by our varsity-trained members (who last played in high school), who were just eager to play and given their best shots.  Arrangements were also made for a basketball fun game soon.  Thanks to my loving husband, Andy Magbitang, the assigned team captain, and Bro. Allan Villareal, asst. team captain, for leading the players.

 

One of the month’s lows happened last Nov. 10, 2001 when Pak Sugiono, the husband of Ibu Christine and father of Dhany, died from a stroke while on vacation in China.  Pak Sugi and his family are new members of the Community after having completed the ECLS last July. Despite the short time that Pak Sugi was with us, he has left very fond memories with some members who had the chance to have met him.

 

Of course, one of the highlights for the month was the talk of Bro. Bo Sanchez on Growing in Prayer Passion before a full-packed Gereja Santa audience last Friday, Nov. 16.  Bro. Bo’s talk was like a revelation of the power of prayer in our lives that starts from making the Sign of the Cross.  The invitation to get closer to the Lord is always there.  Just like a fish that wishes to drink water, all he needs to do is open his mouth.  What struck us most was how Bro. Bo dramatized the life of the prophet Hosea, to demonstrate just how much the Lord loves us, despite our infidelities.

 

Saturday, Nov. 17, Bro. Bo conducted a retreat for the Care Group heads and Community Servants of Genesis on “Spiritual Leadership,  How to Be Fully Used by God For Your Ministry”  in the home of Sis. Liza Caleda.  Sis. Liza also hosted our missionary friends from Manila, which included Bro. Bo, wife Marowe, their 2-year-old son Benedict, his sister Becky and very good friend, Vita.  The whole day retreat was filled with relevant and enriching talks followed by very engrossing discussions/sharings among the Care Group heads. To be a leader in a Community is to first be anointed and after that render unselfish service, something that separates them from the traditional leaders in the workplace.  Nothing could best illustrate and differentiate this than having the “washing of the feet” as the climax of the retreat. 

 

The following Monday, Nov. 19, Sis. Vita Monforte with the assistance of Sis. Becky Sanchez, both members of the Light of Jesus Community in the Philippines, also gave a Basic Intercessory Seminar to the members of our Intercessory Ministry.  The main focus of the seminar was how to unlock God’s power by making every member an intercessor.  Sis. Vita also gave helpful tips and relevant Scripture verses, on how to have an effective intercessory.

 

The highest high of the month was of course the 6^th Year Anniversary celebration of Genesis Catholic Community held at Sheraton Bandara Hotel last Nov. 18.  The focus for this year’s anniversary is “I urge you to preach the Word, in season and out of season…” from 2Timothy 4:2-5.  The morning started with a Mass celebrated by Fr. Binzler followed by the talk of Bro. Sanchez on “Evangelize by the Power of the Spirit”. Bro. Bo challenged and guided the Community to heed the call to evangelize and be part of the “new springtime of Christian life”.  After a quick but sumptuous lunch, the celebration continued with a review of the year that was by Sis. Liza Caleda and Bro. Dolreich Fernandes.  The culminating activity was of course the renewal of the covenant as a Community, which was recorded by two of the Genesis children- Angelo Perucho and Karla Abawag.  All the celebration would not have been possible without the obvious hardwork and enthusiasm of the Care Group of Bro. Benny and Sis. Liza Caleda. Click here for more anniversary pictures!

 

The lowest low of the month was of course the passing away of our beloved Mommy Jane Dizon last Nov. 23, 2001 at the age of 93.  Genesis, as well as the Filipino community in Jakarta, paid their final respects to Mommy Jane during the four nights wake at the Dharmais Hospital, with different care groups taking turns keeping vigil.  On her final night in Jakarta, a special video tribute was shown that brought both laughter and tears to the viewers.  Although Community activities were briefly deferred, it was still a moment of fellowship as we shared a common loss of a very beloved member who would not have preferred that we mourn since she is now truly reunited with her Creator.   Please see related article on “Remembering Mommy Jane” as the Community share their fond memories of Mommy Jane.

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E-mail us: genesis@catholic.org

Write us: Jl. Bacang No. 20 Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia

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