Launching of the TOC Year of Formation and Zarephath Fund

Last March 20, the TOCs from the different communities all over Luzon congregated at the General Commissariat House at #26 Acacia St. in Quezon City to celebrate the opening of the TOC Formation Year (March 19, 2010 - March 19, 2011) and to discuss the setting up of the National Fund called the "Zarephath Fund".

The opening mass was held at the conference room and was presided by Rev. Fr. Noel Rosas, OCarm (provincial delegate). The TOC Year of Formation was placed under the patronage of Saint Joseph, Protector of the Order of Carmel.

Bro. Ruel Santos, TOCarm., of the National Council, explained the purpose of the Year of Formation. This aims to:
1. help the communities in the area of formation by strengthening the formators;
2. prepare possible formators in the different communties;
3. train formators specifically in mission (i.e. in giving formation to newly established communities and in giving retreats and recollection); and
4. familiarize communities in the new modules of formation

The core values of this Year of Formation are encapsulated in the three letters: A-D-A which means A - aral (study); D - dasal (prayer); and A - asal (attitude). It is thus hoped that through study and prayer, there will be a change in attitude or conversion or transformation.

The theme of the TOC Year of Formation is "Carmel: A Journey to Conversion". It is also planned to have the 1st National Congress of Formators this coming August.


In the afternoon, Sis. Flor A' Jose (National Treasurer) discussed the financial status of the National Office and then a financial scheme called "Zarephath Fund" was explained. This scheme aims to stabilize the financial status of both the National Office and the local communties. After the presentation, an open forum was made if this is viable and later votation was made to approve this scheme. Majority of the attendees approved the scheme.

Sis. Sally Castro, TOC (National Coordinator) explaining the fund and the mechanics on how this will be used.

Sis. Mila Exconde, TOC (National Auditor) clarifying some questions

Provincial Delegate's time

Priors, Prioresses and Formation Directors of different communities from Luzon

Reception and Profession Rites - ICS Seminarians

On the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, March 19, twenty nine (29) seminarians of the Immaculate Conception Seminary were received and professed to the Order. The celebration was held during the community mass at the Monastery of the Holy Family, Guiguinto, Bulacan. The event was witnessed by the members of the Carmelite Family. The mass was concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Ronnie Tuazon, TOCarm. and Rev. Fr. Joselin San Jose, TOCarm., both of whom are members of the Third Order and Fr. Joselin was once the prior of the seminary community.

After the mass, a small breakfast was held at one of the rooms. The breakfast was prepared by the nuns and the seminarians.

The following made their temporary profession to the Order:

1. Sem. Carlo Mendoza, TOCarm
2. Sem. Jose Luis Perez, TOCarm
3. Sem. Marcelino Ocariza, TOCarm
4. Sem. Christopher Rivera, TOCarm
5. Sem. Patrick Gumasing, TOCarm
6. Sem. Mhel June Marco, TOCarm
7. Sem. Christian Santos, TOCarm
8. Sem. Howard John Tarrayo, TOCarm (Councilor)
9. Sem. Gian Dayao, TOCarm
10. Sem. Eric Badaguas, TOCarm
11. Sem. Waldie dela Cruz, TOCarm
12. Sem. Daniel Coronel, TOCarm
13. Sem. Simon Peter Ramos, TOCarm (Prior)
14. Sem. Francis Vigo, TOCarm

The following were accepted to the Novitiate:

1. Sem. Albert Absalon, TOCarm
2. Sem. Lawrence Balana, TOCarm
3. Sem. Louis Balana, TOCarm
4. Sem. Oliver Boton, TOCarm
5. Sem. Jorge de Guzman, TOCarm
6. Sem. Jan Kevin Mendoza, TOCarm
7. Sem. Raphael Merculio, TOCarm
8. Sem. Joseph Vincent Monta, TOCarm
9. Sem. Jomar Paolo Ortega, TOCarm
10. Sem. Darius Ponciano, TOCarm
11. Sem. Rupert Roxas, TOCarm
12. Sem. Alvin Evangelista, TOCarm
13. Sem. Bernardino Katipunan, TOCarm
14. Sem. Almar Roman, TOCarm
15. Sem. Marlon Tobias, TOCarm

Please pray for these seminarians that they may persevere in their vocation to the priesthood and to the Order.

The seminarians preparing for the Mass

During the Holy Mass

Second Reading

The seminarians to be received to the Novitiate

Rev. Fr. Joselin San Jose presiding the rites

The Novices

Clothing of the Habit for the novices

Sem. Simon being clothed with the scapular for the professed member

Givining of the lighted candles to the newly professed as sign of Christ, the Light of the world, and to be a light to other.

Communion

The TOC seminarians together with Fr. Ronnie, Fr. Joselin and Bro. Ruel (National Council)

The new novices

The newly professed members

Image of Our lady of Mt. Carmel at the Monastery chapel

A small breakfast after the Mass

Lenten Recollection - Bulacan District (St. Joseph's Province)

The Lay Carmelites of the Province of St. Joseph (Bulacan District) made their lenten recollection last March 6, 2010. This was held at the Parish of the Holy Spirit, Malolos Heights Subdivision, City of Malolos. This is also a discernment recollection for the TOC members who will be received and professed in the Order this coming May.

Rev. Fr. Vergs Ramos, parish priest (shown above), welcomed the TOCs and is very thankful that the recollection was held at the parish. TOCs from Guiguinto, Malolos, Alido, Hagonoy, Calumpit, Baliuag, and Sta. Maria attended the said gathering.

Rev. Fr. Ver Rhoniel Cristobal, TOCarm facilitated the recollection focusing on the topic of discernment. He shrared also his life experience on how he discerned on his calling to the monastic life particularly with the Trappist of Guimaras. He also discussed the three areas of discernment: "paniniwala" (faith), "pagtitiwala" (trust), and "pagtalima" (answering the call).

The recollection ended with the Holy Mass and aspirants to the Order from the Calumpit community were accepted. After the mass, veneration of the relics of the Carmelite saints was held. The relics were exposed the whole duration of the recollection.

Penitential Rite


Fr. Rhon discussing the topic at hand

Homily during the mass

Acceptance of the aspirants

Imposition of the Brown Scapular

Relic Veneration

Relics of the Carmelite Saints and Blesseds

Relic Veneration

Electoral Chapter of the Holy Family TOC Community, Guiguinto

The Elective Chapter of the Lay Carmelite Community of Holy Family situated at the Monastery of the Holy Family, Guiguinto, Bulacan was held in the afternoon of March 13, 2010.

The following were elected:Prioress: Sis. Laura Castro, TOCarm.
1st Councilor/Director of Formation: Sis. Elsa Manalili, TOCarm.
2nd Councilor/Secretary: Sis. Evangeline Alcaraz, TOCarm.
3rd Councilor/Treasurer: Sis. Ligaya Mendoza, TOCarm.

The election was supervised by Bro. Apolinario Gregorio, TOCarm (Regional Coordinator) and Bro. Ruel Santos, TOCarm (2nd Councilor, TOC National Council)

Carmelite Formation Center

At the grounds of the Formation Center

Praying the Litany of Carmelite Saints while the relics of the Carmelite saints are exposed

The new local council with the outgoing prioress

Electoral Chapter of the Immaculate Conception TOC Community, Malolos

The Elective Chapter of the Lay Carmelite Community of the Immaculate Conception situated at the Minor Basilica-Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Malolos, Bulacan was held on March 13, 2010.

The following were elected:

Prioress: Sis. Remedios Antonio, TOCarm.

1st Councilor/Director of Formation: Sis. Maria Luisa Salazar, TOCarm.

2nd Councilor/Secretary: Sis. Lualhati Ladia, TOCarm.

3rd Councilor/Treasurer: Sis. Teresita Cruz, TOCarm.

Assistant Treasurer: Sis. Pearlita San Juan, TOCarm.

The election was supervised by Bro. Apolinario Gregorio, TOCarm (Regional Coordinator) and Bro. Ruel Santos, TOCarm (2nd Councilor, TOC National Council)

Sis. Baby Antonio reading a passage from the 1st Letter of St. Peter during the chapter election

Relics of various Carmelite saints


Relic veneration after the elections


The new local council (2010 - 2013)

The local community

St. John the Baptist TOC Community Hosted a Relic Exposition and Veneration

On February 27, the St. John the Baptist TOC Community hosted a relic exposition and veneration at the Parish of St. John the Baptist, Poblacion, Calumpit, Bulacan. This was done after their electoral chapter wherein the Litany of the Saints was sung and the Te Deum was chanted in thanksgiving for the elections. Bro. Ruel Santos gave a short presentation called "The Treasures of the Church" which is about the importance of relics in the life of the Church. After the presentation, the relics were venerated by the TOC members, Confraternity members, and some parishioners. The exposition was held at the right side altar of the church.

The following are some of the relics of the saints and blesseds that were exposed for veneration: St. Paul of the Cross (from the body), St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows (from the body), St. Gemma Galgani (from the body), St. Gertrude Comensoli (from the bones), Bl. Maria Sagghedu (from the bones), St. Romuald (from the bones), St. Josemaria Escriva (from the bones), Bl. Teresa of Calcutta (hair strands), St. Albert of Trapani (from the bones), St. Angelus (from the bones), St. Teresa of Avila (from the ashes of the body), St. Simon Stock (from the bones), St. John of the Cross (from the clothing), St. Therese of the Child Jesus (from the veil imbude with the flesh), Bl. Joan of Toulose (from the bones), Bl. Kuriakos Elias Chavara, (from the bones), St. Teresa Margaret Redi ( from the clothing), and St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (from the clothing).

The event coincided with the feast of the Passionist saint, St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows. Rev. Fr. Vic Saraza, guest priest of the parish, graced the event. He is a priest from Antique and studying at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Facade of the St. John the Baptist Parish Church, the oldest church in the province of Bulacan

Main Altar


Preparing for the elections and the veneration of the relics


The holy relics of various saints and blesseds of the Carmelite Family including the saints and blesseds of other congregations and orders.

Relic veneration after the elections and talk

Electoral Chapter of St. John the Baptist TOC Community

The Elective Chapter of the Lay Carmelite Community of Saint John the Baptist situated at the Parish of St. John the Baptist, Calumpit, Bulacan was held on February 27, 2010 (Feast of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows). The following were elected:

Prioress: Sis. Remedios Enriquez, TOCarm.
1st Councilor/Director of Formation: Sis. Carmelita Samson, TOCarm.
2nd Councilor/Secretary: Sis. Carmelita Punzalan, TOCarm.
3rd Councilor/Treasurer: Sis. Constancia Paguinto, TOCarm.

The elections was supervised by Bro. Apolinario Gregorio, TOCarm (Regional Coordinator) and Bro. Ruel Santos, TOCarm (2nd Councilor, TOC National Council)

The new local council together with the outgoing prioress, Sis. Fe Mesina, TOCarm and with the Councilor for Formation, Bro. Ruel Santos, TOCarm

The new local council 2010 - 2013 (L-R): Sis. Tancing Paguinto, Sis. Baby Punzalan, Sis. Miding Enriquez, and Sis. Nene Samson

The TOC community and the members of the Confraternity of the Brown Scapular