Mission Statement
The Archdiocesan Filipino Council (AFC) builds upon the rich Catholic legacy of faith in its culture and seeks
to bring about in all Catholics in the archdiocese such an enthusiasm for their faith that, in living their faith in
Jesus, they freely share it with others, Archdiocesan Evangelization Department Mission Statement.
The AFC is committed to serve the Filipino communities/ministries in the Archdiocese of Baltimore by representing the Filipino Catholic Community in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. It will promote Filipino Catholic values and active participation among Filipino families in the life of the local Church, under the guidance of the
Archdiocesan Department of Evangelization.
Responding to the call of the Church, the AFC will work towards the solidarity of all Filipino Catholic organizations, developing a commitment of Filipino groups towards active participation in the Archdiocese, and training
Filipino leaders for the continuing work of the mission of the Church in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
Goals
Driven by the essential mission of the Church and the support of the Department of Evangelization, the AFC
will strive for a dynamic and creative pastoral ministry to Filipinos and Filipino-Americans by:
1. Serving as a consultative body to the Archbishop and Executive Director of Department of Evangelization by sharing vision and direction of Filipino groups or ministries in AOB for the benefit of the
Church at-large.
2. Promoting solidarity among Filipino Catholic organizations (civic and religious) and foster mutual support for pastoral agents with and among Filipinos in AOB.
3. Increasing participation by Filipinos and/or Filipino American families in parish/Archdiocesan activities
and promote development of committed leaders and ministers.
4. Providing means and ways for responding to the challenges and needs in the ministry which transcends
Archdiocesan levels.
Membership
The Archdiocesan Filipino Council will consist of official representatives from parishes and various Filipino Civic/Cultural and Religious organizations with consideration given to ensure geographic, generations, and parish
diversity of the members.
Governance: The Archdiocesan Filipino Council will have an Executive Committee made up of a Chair, ViceChair, Secretary and Treasurer.
In addition to the Executive Committee, Representatives from the following sectors: Religious organizations,
Cultural/Civic organizations, Parishes, Youth/Young Adult Sectors shall be included in the governance. They
shall be called Cluster Representatives.
The Council shall have Working Teams, such as, Development, Secretariat, Outreach, Liturgy, whose leaders
shall be included in governance of the Council.
They shall be elected by participating members (official representatives of participating Parishes and Filipino
or Filipino-American organizations - civic or religious). Absent members may vote by proxy. Names of elected
officers will be submitted to the Executive Director of Department of Evangelization for approval.
Terms of Office:
Officers of the Council will be asked to serve renewable three year terms.
The Executive Director will serve as the Archbishops Liaison to the AFC and a priest chaplain may also be
appointed by the Archbishop.
GREETINGS:
The theme for this years Filipino Saints Fiesta Celebration is: Filipino Families are called to be Brave
Missionary Disciples. Today there is a concerted effort by our society to redefine what a Family
should be. Unfortunately this was validated by a recent decision by the Supreme Court. In a recent
article, Archbishop William Lori wrote, the vitality and mission of the local church is closely linked
to the formation and evangelization of families. It is vitally important as missionary disciples that
we demonstrate to our neighbors and to the younger generation the importance of the traditional family as the center of our strength and faith.
Along this line, this year the A.F.C. will organize Simbang Gabi celebration in various parishes
in the Archdiocese to remind us of our traditional spiritual preparation for Advent. This is intended as
a family affair hopefully to stress to our young the significance of the birth of our Saviour and to honor the Blessed Virgin Mother.
This year the A.F.C. created a new Working Team Faith Enrichment to be headed by J.V. Pica.
It has several purposes among which is to nurture and strengthen our faith hopefully to show to the
next generation the virtue of total commitment and permanent relationship of the traditional family as
prescribed by the Sacrament of Matrimony.
With this message, I am signing off as the Chairman of the A.F.C. for the past four years. More
than anything else, my experience as such deepened my faith. Thank you all for your support.
Mabalos!
YOURS IN CHRIST,
RUBEN F. BALLESTEROS
CHAIRMAN, A.F.C.
Message, Chairman
5th Archdiocesan Filipino Saints Celebration
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As we commemorate the lives of our two great saints, San Lorenzo
Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod, I am reminded of how incredibly courageous these two humble men really were. When you read about how their
lives ended, and how much they loved the Lord, it just jumps out at you.
The Japanese torturers told San Lorenzo Ruiz: Deny your faith and we
will spare your life. To which he replied: I will never do it. I am a catholic
and happy to die for God. If I have a thousand lives to offer, I will offer them to God. He was
hung upside down with his head inside a well, and his temples slit open so his blood would slowly
drip out. He endured this horrible torture for seven days and died on September 29, 1637.
In 1672, San Pedro Calungsod, a fourteen year old sacristan and missionary to Guam,
preached Christianity and baptized infants, children and adults at the risk of persecution, torture
and murder. Despite the risks, he baptized the daughter of the village chieftain. The angry chieftain and his men attacked San Pedro, killing him with a spear to his chest and a machete blow to
the head.
The theme of this years celebration is: Filipino families are called to be brave missionary disciples. While we will never be faced with the circumstances of our two brave saints, we are
awestruck by their great love of God and their bravery in the face of imminent death on account of
their beliefs. So let us be brave as well. Let us be brave missionary disciples, strengthening our
faith and the faith of those around us by our love for each other, by our good example, by our prayers, and by asking others to be active participants in our faith and discipleship. Realize we are not
alone in this endeavor. The Lord is with us, and so are our two great saints. Also realize, the vibrant Filipino community in this Archdiocesan Filipino Council is with you too, leading the way.
We cannot just sit here and let life go by without doing anything. God has called upon us to
act. We must heed his call.
This event is a magnificent celebration of the love God has for us, and for the love for God and
for each other that the members of this Council and its mission partners have. I do not know the
numbers, but I estimate that well over 100 selfless devoted people contributed directly to the success of this event. I certainly cannot begin to thank you all here, but rest assured your hard work
and dedication is much appreciated. Its been an honor and a privilege to work with you wonderful
people. Many Thanks!!
Special thanks to Dr. Ruben Ballesteros, our Council Chair for the past four years. Ben, you
are a terrific person, and your advice and leadership has been outstanding. We would not be
where we are without you!!
We have been graced by the faith, inspiration, and dedicated leadership of Father Pete Literal.
Fr. Pete, how incredibly blessed we are to have you among us!!
May this event be a lasting inspiration which strengthens your faith.
San Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us. San Pedro Calungsod, pray for us.
LTC John S. Smith, Esq.
Event Chair
Romy Vargas
Secretary
Toni Grandea
Action Team
Social Action
Edna Gan
Cluster Representative
North Baltimore Parishes
Rogie Legaspi
Cluster Representative
Civic / Cultural
Ruben Ballesteros
Archbishops Liaison
to AFC-AOB
Dolly Puno
Action Team
Liturgy & Devotion
Rene Quizon
Cluster Representative
Religious
Chair Person
Javier Pica
Helen Sadorra
Myrna Ortega
Jojo Inola
Fatima De Castro
Action Team
Development
Action Team
Secretariat
Agnes Nepomuceno
Cluster Representative
Religious
Carmen Sotto
Cluster Representative
South Baltimore Parishes
JR Manalad
Luis Florendo
Lina Neurick
Cluster Representative
Civic / Cultural
Cluster Representative
Youth /Young Adult
Noel Garcia
Cluster Representative
Religious
Cluster Representative
Civic / Cultural
Noel Rendor
Cluster Representative
Youth /Young Adult
Finance Officer
Action Team
Secretariat
Elvie Dureza
Cluster Representative
Baltimore City Parishes
John Smith
Cluster Representative
Civic / Cultural
Yvette Rendor
Cluster Representative
Youth /Young Adult
Chaplain of
Upper Chesapeake
Medical Center
Associate Pastor of
St. Louis Church Clarksville
Professor at
St. Mary Seminary
Baltimore
Associate Pastor
St. John Parish,
Westminster
Loyola University
Maryland
Archdiocese of Baltimore
Vocation Director
Greetings to
Archdiocesan Filipino
Council and all the
Filipino Communities in
Archdiocese of Baltimore
Crucifixion:
Good Shepherd:
A R C H D I O C ES A N FI ES TA
C EL EB R ATIO N F O R
SA N LO R EN Z O R U IZ &
SA N PE D R O C A LU N G S O D
CONGRATULATIONS
ARCHDIOCESAN FILIPINO
COUNCIL
A R C H D I O C E S E O F B A LT I M O R E
FROM
ASSOCIATE CHAPLAIN
GRAND KNIGHT
CHANCELLOR
D GEE ABAD
WARDEN
JESUS LIMBO
FINANCIAL SECRETARY
ADOLFO VELASQUEZ
TREASURER
ADVOCATE
RECORDER
LECTURER
INSIDE GUARD
OUTSIDE GUARD
VIRGILIO PACAYO
THREE TRUSTEE
CFC GLOBAL invites you to JOIN the On-going STRATEGIC CHRISTIAN LIFE PROGRAM (CLP)
for couples, single men and women, widows & widowers,
divorced men and women, single mothers or fathers.
Venue: Holy Family Parish School Building, Room#7
9531 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD 21133
Inclusive Dates/Time: Saturdays beginning Sept.12 thru Oct.214, 2015 @ 1:00-4:00pm
Refreshments will be served at each session.
For more details please email : aguirre_ sharonlee@yahoo.com
Or call: Romy & Emma Tanseco 443-570-9853; Rene & Rezie Cuizon 410-241-5487;
Bert & Rose Bartolome 410-719-1469; Gerald & Sharon Aguirre 443-722-4094
September 20, 2015 - Cathedral of Mary Our Queen
t of
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welco Officers
s
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AFC
Fatima De Castro
Secretary -Recording
Luis Florendo
Action Team
Social Outreach
Siony Placiente
Cluster Representative
Parish
Rogie Legaspi
Cluster Representative
Civic / Cultural
John Smith
Archbishops Liaison
to AFC-AOB
Chair Person
Tita Siozon
Rene Quizon
Cluster Representative
Religious
Action Team
Development
Cluster Representative
Parish
JR Manalad
Cluster Representative
Youth /Young Adult
Javier Pica
Ethan Gomez
Action Team
Faith Enrichment
Charito Sysantos
Helen Sadorra
Myrna Ortega
Action Team
Liturgy & Devotion
Agnes Nepomuceno
Carmen Sotto
Cluster Representative
Religious
Marieta Caragay
Cluster Representative
Civic / Cultural
Noel Garcia
Cluster Representative
Youth /Young Adult
Finance Officer
Action Team
Web & IT Management
Zeny Bengzon
Cluster Representative
Parish
Norma Nicolas
Cluster Representative
Civic / Cultural
Allan Deiparine
Cluster Representative
Youth /Young Adult
Greetings from
Makati - 2014
Nepomuceno Family
The Nepomuceno family greets the Filipino Council of Archdiocese of Baltimore.
We are so blessed to be part of this community.
Greetings to the
Archdiocesan Filipino Council
and All Filipino Communities
in Baltimore
From:
Jo Cabacar
& Family
Ronnie Baino
Joe & Beth Cartera
Bebot Dellacqua
Leony Dunne
Bien & Flor Dinglas
Ding & Sionie Geronimo
Volet Helm
Rey & Lynne Meneses
Raffy & Norma Nicolas
Ching Olazo
Nita Villanueva
Michael & Tita Kenney
May all of us receive the
Wondrous gifts of Gods Blessings
Through the intercession of
Congratulations and
Best Wishes to
Fr. Pete Literal
& Officers of AFC
From:
Lucy
CARAGAY
FAMILY
Oliver
Ad half
16 Consett Ct.
Baltimore, MD 21236
410-882-9098
www.umacexpress.com
BE ON TIME!!!
Congratulations AFC
from
Greetings from
Joans Lechon
443-823-8970
Mon-Thu: 11:00am-10:30pm
Fri & Sat:
11:00am-11:30pm
Sunday:
11:00am-10:00pm
Phone:
410-825-8181
Fax:
410-825-8383
Address: 1427 York Rd
Lutherville, MD 21093
THANK YOU!!!
I wish to express my personal thanks to all Officers of
Executive Committee, Action Team Coordinators, and
Sectoral Representatives , who led and dedicated their
time and gifts for the mission of the Archdiocesan Filipino
Council from the foundation to the present time. I welcome
the new set of officers who will serve after the fiesta until
2018.
Secondly , I thank you, all the mission partner organizations, who support the work of the Filipino Council.
Your services are very much appreciated.
- Fr. Pete
We help each one succeed
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Chair Person
Co-Chairperson
Treasurer:
Secretary
Secretariat
Parishes-Based Representatives
Mrs. Edna Gan, Mrs. Carmen Sotto, Mrs. Elvie Dureza
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
Sincerest gratitude from the Souvenir Program Committee to the contributors of the
souvenir program , for the advertisers from various Churches, Civic and Religious
organizations, Benefactors ($500 - up), Sponsors ($300 - $499), Patrons ($200 $299), Donors ($100 -$199), Friends (< $100),
Personal and Special donors for food and flowers.
THANK YOU!
May God, through the intercession of
San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod, bless us all.
September 20, 2015 - Cathedral of Mary Our Queen
BENEFACTOR
St. Louis Catholic Church, Clarksville
PATRONS
Ms. Rosemary G. Barkley
Drs. Edilberto & Diadema Beltran
Dr. Juan & Mrs. Edna Gan
Fr. Pete Literal
DONORS
Anonymous Donor
Amazing Grace Prayer Group
Dr. and Mrs. Artemio and Antonia Arciaga
Drs. Juan and Teresita Beltran
Drs. Ludovico & Zenaida Bengson
Dr. Artemio & Mrs. Antonia Cuevas
Dr. and Mrs. Jacinto and Dorothy de Borja
Miss Ilona Diaz
Fil-Am of Anne Arundel County
Mr. and Mrs. Sergio and Evelyn Fonacier
Drs. Marcos and Rosalia Galicia
In Memoriam of Dr. Virginia Mercado
Katipunan, Filipino-American Association of MD
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond and Yolanda Kunz
Dr. and Mrs. Adelmo and Zenaida Marana
Mr. & Mrs Rafael & Norma Nicolas
Drs. Rolando and Aurora Perez
Dr. and Mrs. Arturo and Trish Pidlaoan
Drs. Jaime and Myrna Punzalan
Mr. and Mrs. Lauro and Cecile Rochino
Mr. and Mrs. Tony and Helen Sadorra
LTC and Mrs. John and Lourdes Smith
Dr. Socorro and Mr. Antonio Sorra
Mr. and Mrs. John and Catherine Stefano
The Ilokano Kami Association (TIKA)
Ms. Jane Tolentino
FRIENDS
Ms. Brenda Aguilar
Mr. Andres & Dr. Remedios Baltazar
Mr. and Mrs. Carl and Nelfa Bathon
Mr. Bien Dinglas & Mrs. Flor Pantalunan-Dinglas
Ms. Celia Geraghty
Ms. Corazon Gordon
Dr. Iluminada Ilaw
Ms. Amay Jugasan
Ms. Zenaida Luna
Mr. & Mrs. Flynn and Shiryl Maglangit
Mr. Honesto Ocampo
Mr. Christopher Perez
Mr. and Mrs. Ramon and Concepcion Placiente
Mr. and Mrs. Rex Quedit
Ms. Marcela Quinones
Mr. Augusto and Dr. Ely Quizon
Ms. Natividad Ramos
Mr. & Mrs. June and Vangie Saldivar
Ms. Angela Seely
Drs. Marty and Maria Slodzinski
Mr. Mariano Sto. Domingo
Ms. Carlotta Sumbilla
SPECIAL DONORS
AFCCPC Joy in the Spirit (Lechon)
Drs. Ben and Dorothy Bandong (Lechon)
Mary Berman (Printing of Mass Guide)
Dr. Renan and Mrs. Elvie Dureza (Carossa Flower Dcor)
The Dominguez Family - AnnieJosieMonchingReyVeenah (Lechon-Reception)
Dr. Juan and Mrs. Edna Gan (Carossa Flower Dcor)
Dr. Renato FloresDr. Myrna OrtegaMs. Laura Jacobsen Gill (Lechon)
Mr. & Mrs. Javier and Suzette Pica Mr. & Mrs Tony & Helen Sadorra (Lechon)
September 20, 2015 - Cathedral of Mary Our Queen
His Life
San Pedro Calungsod (spelled Calonsor in Spanish records) was born ca. 1655. Historical records
never mentioned his exact place of origin and merely identified him as Bisaya. Historical research,
however, identifies Cebu as his birthplace. San Pedro Calungsod, then around 14, was among the
exemplary young catechists chosen to accompany the Jesuits in their mission to the Ladrones Islands
(Islas de los Ladrones or Isles of Thieves). In 1668, Calungsod travelled with Spanish Jesuit mis
sionaries to these islands, renamed the Marianas Islands (Las Islas de Mariana). Calungsod and San
Vitores went to Guam to catechize the native Chamorros. While in Guam, Calungsod preached
Christianity to the Chamorro people through catechism, while baptizing infants, children and adults at
the risk and expense of being persecuted and eventually murdered. Through Calungsod and San
Viores' missionary efforts, many native Chamorros converted to Roman Catholicism.
Martyrdom
A Chinese named Choco, a criminal from Manila who was exiled in Guam began spreading rumors that the baptismal water used by missionaries was poisonous. As some sickly Chamorro infants who were baptized eventually died, many believed the story and held the
missionaries responsible. Choco was readily supported by the macanjas (medicine men) and the urritaos (young males) who despised
the missionaries.
When the Village chief, Mata'pang, learned of his daughter's baptism, he became even more furious. He violently hurled spears first at
Pedro, who was able to dodge the spears. Witnesses claim that Calungsod could have escaped the attack, but did not want to leave San
Vitores alone. Those who knew Calungsod personally meanwhile believed that he could have defeated the aggressors with weapons;
San Vitores however banned his companions to carry arms. Calungsod was hit in the chest by a spear and he fell to the ground, then
another villager, Hirao, immediately charged towards him and finished him off with machete blow to the head. San Vitores absolved
Calungsod before he too was killed.
Mata'pang took San Vitores' crucifix and pounded it with a stone while blaspheming God. Both assassins then denuded the corpses of
Calungsod and San Vitores, tied large stones to their feet, brought them out to the sea on their proas and threw them into the water. The
Catholic Church considers Calungsods martyrdom as committed In Odium Fidei (In Hatred of the Faith), referring to the religious persecution endured by the person in evangelization
Saint Pedro Calungsod, a sacristan and a missionary catechist, who along with Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores, suffered religious
persecution and martyrdom in Guam for their missionary work in 1672.
Beatification and Canonization
A month after the martyrdom of San Vitores and Calungsod, a process for beatification was initiated but only for San Vitores. Political
and religious turmoil, however, delayed and halted the process. When they were preparing for its 20th anniversary as a diocese in 1981,
the 1673 beatification cause of Padre Diego Lus de San Vitores was rediscovered in old manuscripts and revived until San Vitores was
finally beatified on 6 October 1985. This gave recognition to Calungsod, paving the way for his own beatification.
In 1980, then-Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal asked permission to initiate the beatification and canonization cause of Pedro
Calungsod. In March 1997, the Sacred Congregation for the Causes of Saints approved the acta of the diocesan beatification process.
The positio, which relied heavily on the documentation of San Vitores' beatification, was completed in 1999.
Calungsod was formally beatified on 5 March 2000 by Blessed Pope John Paul II. San Pedro Calungsod was officially canonized by Pope
Benedict XVI at Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican City on 21 October 2012.
Mariles Viloria-Grageda
September 20, 2015 - Cathedral of Mary Our Queen
OF THE LORD
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