Formators Regional Training - 1st Batch

The first batch of the Formators Regional Training was well attended by the formators from the different TOC communities of Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, and some parts of Metro Manila. This was done from January 21 - 23, 2012 at the newly opened Flos Carmeli House of Prayer at Bucal, Calamba, Laguna. Twelve participants attended the said meeting.

The meeting revolved on how to use the Liturgy of the Hours given by Bro. Ruel Santos, TOC; two topics on community life given by Bro. Luis Barrientos, TOC and Sis. Rossana Garcia, TOC; and a topic about the Promises and Vows made by persons who are members of public association of the faithful and societies of apostolic life given by Bro. Ruel Santos, TOC. During the said meeting, the new formation program "Return to the Sources" was launched to be taken up by Novices and Professed members of the Order. The formation program was based on "Climbing the Mountain" of the British TOCs.

The 2nd Batch of the Formators Regional Trainig is slated on April 20 - 22, 2012.

Sis. Rossana discussing about community life

Bro. Luis presenting the ways on how to make community

Bro. Ruel discussing about promises and the vows in regards to the Lay Carmelites

Discussion

Lunch break

Relic cards and prayer cards

Anticipated Mass on Jan. 21

Relic of St. Bonifacia Rodriguez together with some relic cards and prayer cards

Profession Rites: Province of St. Joseph

On Nov. 5 and 19, Rites of Final Profession, Temporary Profession, Novitiate, and Acceptance of Aspirants were celebrated by the communities of the Lay Carmelite Province of St. Joseph. On Nov. 9, the feast of Bl. Frances d'Amboise, ten (10) lay carmelites made their final profession at the Parish of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Pulong Buhangin, Sta. Maria. The rites were administered by Rev. Fr. Roberto Noel Rosas, OCarm (Provincial Delegate) together with the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Elmer Ignacio.

On Nov. 19, feast of St. Joseph Kalinowski, Rev. Fr. Adrian Layug, TOCarm. administered the rites at the Carmelite Monastery of the Holy Family for TOC members who are due for temporary profession and novitiateship. Aspirants were also accepted.

Pictures of the event can be found at this site and this.

Dipolog City Mission

After a year of planning and communicating with the Cofradia in Dipolog, the visit of the representatives of the National Council pushed through. Sis. Sally Castro, Bro. Ruel Santos, and Sis. Menchie Martinez went to Dipolog on Nov. 12 on board Cebu Pacific. At the airport, the representatives were met by the Cofradia members (Bro. Benijie, Sis. Sal, Sis. Ivy and others) bearing the banner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. A warm welcome with flowers greeted the National Council. After a hearty lunch, the National Council was toured around the area of Dipolog and Dapitan. The Rizal Shrine was visited and the parish church of Dapitan wherein there is also an existing Cofradia.

On Nov. 13, after the holy mass, consultation between the Cofradia and the TOC National was done to find out the possibility of establishing a community there. The Cofradia members were enthusiastic about it and solidly said that they want a TOC community established there. With this development, the National Council decided to create the TOC community there and assigned Sis. Menchie Martinez, TOCarm., priores of St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi TOCC in Alido, to oversee the formation of the new community. The community in Dipolog is to be known as St. Teresa of Jesus TOC Community.

The Cofradia del Nuestra Senora del Carmen is one of the oldest church organization in Dipolog alongside with the Apostleship of Prayer. It has been in existence before World War II in the area. Pictures of the event can be seen at the Facebook Album - Dipolog - of the TOC Philippines.

Reception Rites: Ballesteros, Cagayan Valley

Braving the incoming Typhoon Quiel, the members of the TOC National Council and some TOC members of Our Lord of Divine Mercy TOCC went to Ballesteros, Cagayan to attend the reception rites of the new Novices of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross TOC Community. They left Manila on the evening of Sept. 30 on the wake of the incoming typhoon that is to cross Northern Luzon. Due to the ensuing bad weather, they arrived at Ballesteros a bit late yet the rites pushed through and the weather was good. In fact, the sun shone at that day, the feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. The community banner was also blessed the same day. The visitors returned to Manila the next day but was delayed in Nueva Ecija because of the landslide due to the typhoon.

Regional Assembly: Province of Saint Teresa of Avila

Renewal of Profession: "Flos Carmeli" TOC Community

Last July 16, the members of the newly canonically founded community of TOC made their renewal of profession at the Parish of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, Bacoor, Cavite. Their Rite of Canonical Foundation is scheduled on August 27, 2011. Below are the pictures during their renewal of promises.

19th Carmelite Family Day

Opening of Project 6 TOC Community