Leadership Training 2008

DECEMBER 20, 2008
LEADERSHIP TRAINING
South Elem School, Lagao, GSC
ABOUT: The activity was an endeavour to help the participants understand the importance of the acquisition of maturity, and how to be one. They also studied the four temperaments to help them know better themselves and to be able to handle the various "modes" of people whom they deal with in their daily lives, but most especially, their own. It is said, "A good leader is the king and master of himself."

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FORMATION SESSION in South Cotabato

OCTOBER 26, 2008
FORMATION SESSION
Greenwoods Retreat House, Koronadal City, South Cotabato
ABOUT: Formation Session for the youth of KNCHS, Marbel, General Santos, Tagum, Polomolok and Sarangani Province. Various lectures were given to the participants, like the objectives of the League, crisis in the Church, modern philosophical errors, group apostolate, etc.

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Letter from Vice Governor of Sarangani

OFFICE OF THE VICE GOVERNOR
Alabel Complex, Sarangani Province

October 23, 2008


MR. JERWIN AGUINALDO
Chief Captain - Apostles of Mary
Catholic Youth League of the Philippines


Dear Mr. Aguinaldo:

On behalf of the Provincial Government of Sarangani, we would like to thank you for your generous support during the Medical Mission held at Brgy. Lumatil, Maasim.

We wish to inform you that it benefited more or less one thousand residents from Brgy. Lumatil, Brgy. Daliao, and Brgy. Kanalo in the Municipality of Maasim, Sarangani Province. Almost 600 children were fed during the feeding activity. We appreciate the resources you shared with us such as slippers, juice, biscuits, and used clothing as we start to restore confidence and peace in the Province. No words can express our sincere gratitude for the kindness you have showed us. Our appreciation is ever growing and we hope that we can still count on you in the future.

Agian, you have my sincerest thanks.


Your truly,


SGD STEVE CHIONGBIAN SOLON
Vice Governor

Medical Mission and Feeding Program in the Municipality of Maasim

Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon of Province of Sarangani sent a thank you letter to Chief Captain Jerwin Aguinaldo of the Catholic Youth League of the Philippines for their generous support during the Medical Mission and feeding program held at Barabgay Lumatil, Maasim on October 15, 2008. More or less one thousand residents from Barangay Lumatil, Barangay Daliao, and Barangay Kanalo in the Municipality of Maasim in Province of Sarangani. Almost 600 children were fed during the feeding activity. The Apostles of Mary were giving slippers, juices, biscuits and used cloths as a way to restore confidence and peace in the Province. The Team also distributed hundreds of rosaries and catechism pamphlets in Cebuano version for the victims of war and to the Philippine Army. The Association of Catholic Doctors, Nurses and Health Professionals in Asia (ACIM-Asia) were distributing free medicine to the patients. ACIM-Asia is a professional association of health professionals concerned with the issues that affect the medical profession (euthanasia, abortion, bioethics, etc.) and with providing the solutions within the framework of the natural law and the social teaching of the Catholic Church.

The Apostles of Mary Chief Captain would like to thank the following sponsors in Manila who helped and gave their support for the success of the feeding program and the distribution of gifts to the less fortunate children: Ms. Armi Nabablit, Mr. Romel Dela Rosa, Mrs. Babes Simon and company and PAL Foundation for delivering the necessary goods and provisions.

The Chief Captain with the Provincial Staffs distributing Juices and Biscuits to the Children

Battle for Life

September 23
Manila

Chief Captain Jerwin Aguinaldo and Vice Chief Captain Seymour Apolisok had been attending the debate of the controversial Reproductive Health Bill at the Plenary Hall of Batasang Pambansa.

September 24
Manila

The Chief Captain Jerwin Aguinaldo and Dra. Ligaya Acosta of HLI attended the interpellation and debate of the Reproductive Health Bill in Congress.

Deputy Speaker Raul Del Mar of 1st District of Cebu City was standing for Pro-Life side. According to him the HB05043 violated many laws in the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

After the Session, Mr. Aguinaldo and Dra. Acosta met Cong. Del Mar to state their support.

War in Mindanao

August 22: Asma Akmad, Provincial Vice-Governor's aide in charge of medical missions and relief operations in the province, made a plea to ACIM-Asia for assistance in the town of Maasim, where war had recently erupted.

August 23: Chief Capt. Jerwin Aguinaldo, representing the Apostles of Mary Catholic Youth League of the Philippines and ACIM Asia proceeded to Maasim with the Vice-Governor's relief team. He brought with him candies for children, cans of tuna, rosaries and prayer guides, and copies of the booklet "Fatima's Peace Plan from Heaven". As he distributed the Rosaries and the booklets, military people who were in the area also lined for their free supply.
While there, he assisted in the preliminary stress debriefing program for the children evacuees seeking refuge in the town gymnasium. He gave out candies as children shared their fears and anxieties, sang or cried out their confusions and pains, and eventually played games to find a sense of normalcy in the chaotic upheaval of their lives.

He saw the pitiful condition of the evacuees. There was a child who had sustained burns from scalding water that spilled on her as she rushed with her family to escape the gunfires ravaging their village.

He saw malnourished and sick children and himself echoed the plea for medical assistance among the victims of war, especially the children.

September 26: ACIM-ASIA will be assisting in the medical mission in Maasim using medicines left over from the Rosa Mystica Health Mission. Dra. Lagare will serve. The search for doctors willing to serve in the mission is still going on. Maasim is one of the poor Sarangani towns without a hospital. It is expected that chronic and acute diseases other than war-related illnesses will be seen. It will be a tough mission.

Mr. Jerwin Aguinaldo is collecting food and clothing from friends and benefactors in Manila. He is working to collect enough to feed 1000 children during the medical mission.

EVACUEES FLEEING THEIR VILLAGES, SEEKING REFUGE IN THE TOWN GYMNASIUM

Chief Jerwin with the armed bodyguards and the staff from the provincial government who went to Maasim to direct the evacuation relief operation

Chronicle of the Apostles of Mary - Province of Mindanao (May - July 2008)

May 1 – 30 One month apostolate - Children Catechism Class and Flores de Mayo in Apopong, General Santos City.

May 31 Holy Mass, Procession, Graduation day and Culminating of the Flores de Mayo for the Catechism children of Apopong held at St. James Chapel. The students of the catechism class received certificates, recognition and other awards. Two youth were recruited to the AoM.

June 1 The Chief Captain visited the Marbel and Tagum Clans, following up on their spiritual life and membership potentials.

June 2-5 Layout for The Cross publication, printing of literatures and reproducing audio files for distribution in Zamboanga.

June 6 – 12 One week apostolate in Zamboanga. The Chief Captain gave catechism classes, conferences and orientation for the young people in Zamboanga. Activities were attended by 22 participants.

June 13 AoM Santiago Vice Captain Kody Wilson assisted Clotilde Bur, visited Dr. Canda to invite her to the Rosa Mystica Health Mission and to introduce her to the Tradition, after she expressed appreciation for the Apostles of Mary Traditional Pilgrimage and Formation Session in Bohol which was attended by her son.


AoM Chief Captain met with organizers of formation conferences for youth in Tagum.

June 14 – 15 New clan finally formed in for the youth attending St. Anthony Chapel in Tagum City by the Chief Captain. The clan is named Fatima Clan.

June 16 Met with youth in Davao Guadalupe Chapel, assessed potentials for AoM recruits.

June 17-19 Finalizing of The Cross, updating of the website, printing and mailing of The Cross and revised AoM handbook for evaluation of Chaplain.

June 20 Chief Captain Mr. Jerwin Aguinaldo and Ms. Clotilde Bur visited Fr. Pueyo the President of Notre Dame of Tacurong to encourage him in his interest to Tridentine Mass and to invite him to observe the Tridentine Masses during the Rosa Mystica Health Mission. Visited ACIM-ASIA member doctors in Surallah to invite them for the Rosa Mystica Health Mission.

The Chief Captain gave talk and orientation on the Apostles of Mary to the high school students of Koronadal National Comprehensive High School in Marbel.

June 29 The Chief Captain followed up the new members Marbel San Miguel Clan.

July 1-5 AoM Santiago Clan members and aspirants assisted in evaluating and validating Clotilde Bur’s anti-abortion movie. Reactions and feedbacks given to improve vocabulary, imagery, and impact.

July 6 San Miguel Clan (Marbel) and some students from Koronadal National Comprehensive High School visited the grotto of Our Lady of Fatima. 7 aspirants welcomed by the Chief Captain.

July 8 AoM Mt. Carmel clan member Reniel (Manila) assisted ACIM-Asia in procuring anti-abortion video films and literatures from ProLife Philippines.

July 10 AoM Santiago Clan assisted Clotilde Bur during the Food Tech fair of Gensan, to introduce her to local crafts and industries. JAYCEES volunteers presented possibilities for apostolate in Upper Labay, General Santos City during their medical mission there with ACIM Asia member doctors.

AoM Aspirant Patrick Intes assisted ACIM-Asia member Solrac Sevilla and Clotilde Bur in meeting with Dr. Roel Cagape to discuss anti-abortion campaigns, and to evaluate Clotilde’s anti abortion movie “The Story of My Life”.

July 11 Mr. Jerwin Aguinaldo with Ms. Clotilde Bur organized prolife film showing (abortion) to the students of Koronadal National Comprehensive High School. (Test show for the movie “The Story of My Life”).

Distribution of Pamphlets while celebrating the Tnalak festival in Marbel. AoM San Miguel Clan gave cultural orientation to Clotilde Bur while showing her the tribal arts and crafts of Koronadal.

July 12 11 Youth from Surallah, including 1 protestant and 1 member of the charismatic group met by the Chief Captain. Mr. Aguinaldo gave them basic catechism, explained the rules and constitution of the AoM and encouraged them to join to the League.

July 13 AoM Santiago Clan (Gensan) assisted in a Medical Mission in Upper Labay suvised by the Chief Captain. The team taught the children and the adults how to pray and the importance of the rosary, distributed 100 pcs rosaries and Catechism guides.

Hiking to the hilltop Cross in Bawing, with 15 AoM Santiago Clan members and aspirants. Chief Captain gave exhortation on Christian zeal to the members, and encouragement to new members to learn Baltimore Catechism.

July 14 AoM Aspirant Emery Yumang (nursing student) assisted Clotilde Bur in prolife campaign in Philtech College, showing anti-abortion films and collecting signatures against anti life bills in the Senate. College administrators appreciated the move, and offered to assist the bioethical campaigns of ACIM-ASIA in whatever way they can.

Chief Captain assisted in ACIM-Asia print jobs (communications for the medical mission), typed Provincial Journal of AoM Mindanao for submission to Chaplain and District Superior.

League Officers Challenged to Grow

“Let us not be contented with what we have done… let us grow..!” Chief Captain Jerwin Aguinaldo, addressed the council and clan officers at the meeting of National Officers’ Meeting held in Jj’s Convention Center in Tagbilaran, Bohol on May 12, 2008. Officers and representatives came from Baguio, Manila, Iloilo, Cebu, Bohol, Cagayan de Oro City, Tagum City, General Santos City, and Koronadal City.

The National Officers’ Meeting was conducted right after the 10th League Anniversary Program where the members, officers and guests celebrated the triumphs of the League in its 10 years of existence: the fruits expressed in the religious vocations fostered in the league, and the reception of Sacraments by recruits and catechism pupils of the different clans. Not willing to allow the members to bask in self-complacency, the Chief Captain thus addressed the group: “Let us not be contented with what we have done… let us grow!”

Rev. Fr. Roy Dolotina, the Chaplain of the League, in his opening remarks asked the participants to get to know each other in order to work harmoniously. He checked if the members are still following the rules of the League and asked them to see what can be done to improve the group.

Officers and representatives from each clan or group presented the particular difficulties they encountered and Council Officers and the Chaplain addressed the issues.
Ideas were raised on how to improve national concerns of the League like the Pilgrimage, the website, attendance to spiritual retreats and activities for the discernment of vocation, wearing of the badge, checking of the grids, submission of reports, confidentiality of reports, doctrinal study and supply of recommended books for reading, and the publication of The Cross.

Fr. Dolotina announced the changes in leadership with the appointment of new officers in some clans. He also announced the winners of the catechism contest conducted during the pilgrimage.

The meeting ended with the commitment of the officers and representatives to improve communication with the Council Officers by regular submission of reports and to follow up on the growth and progress of their specific teams. Ave Maria!


YEG

AoM Celebrates 10th Year

The Apostles of Mary recounts a decade of fight and fruitfulness as it celebrates its 10th year anniversary in the Philippines.

More than a hundred members- past, present and aspirants, graced the reunion last May 12, 2008 at JJ’s Seafood Restaurant in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. The guests were welcomed by no less than the Chief Captain of the League, Mr. Jerwin Aguinaldo with his opening remarks.

The whole-day affair was highlighted over a sumptuous lunch with testimonials from each batch since it was founded in March 1998, a slideshow presentation of the different activities the league has done in the past 10 years and of course, an inspirational message from the chaplain, Fr. Roy Dolotina, himself a former AoM captain and who is also one of the pioneering members of the League. A letter from Fr. Marc Vernoy, one of the founders, who is now based in France, was read to the group by Ms. Yolly Eileen Gamutan, Secretary of the National Council.

The gleeful song presentation of the brothers from St. Bernard Novitiate and the heavenly songs from the Bethanians added color to the day.

It was an exciting and memorable moment for the League members as it gave them the chance to meet the old and new members, which included the brothers and aspirants to the religious life, who are themselves a tangible testament of the league’s fruitful existence.

7th Traditional Catholic Pilgrimage

Some 280 pilgrims from different provinces came to Bohol to participate in this year’s pilgrimage to offer prayers and sacrifices for the intention of the pilgrimage: “Priests for Tomorrow”.

Among the participants were three Legion of Mary members from New Zealand and two French, one of whom is a Team Captain of the Mouvement de La Jeunesse Catholique de France (MJCF). The 2 French were among the 5 medics who represented the Catholic Association of Doctors, Nurses and Health Professionals in Asia (ACIM-Asia).

Gracing the pilgrimage were 5 priests: Fr. Roy Dolotina, the Chaplain; Fr. Daniel Couture, District Superior for Asia, Fr. Albert Ghela, Fr. Andrew Cranshaw who led the New Zealand delegates, and Fr. Adam Purdy, the Novice Master, who led the brothers from St. Bernard Novitiate. Sr. Ma. Concepcion, SSPX Oblate Sister led the aspirants of the House of Bethany.

The 3-day event, which started on May 8, was formally opened with a Holy Mass at Cogon District Elem. School in Tagbilaran City. The group reached the hill of Fatima Shrine in Carmen on the 11th of May. The hill became alive with songs and prayers and the rain had stopped by then to welcome the pilgrims.

The League members renewed their consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at the foot of Our Lady of Fatima.

Fr. Adam Purdy gave a short talk on priestly vocations.

Eleven AoM aspirants were formally accepted into the League through a ceremonial giving of the badge by the League Chaplain, Fr. Roy Dolotina.

The rains that intermittently poured on them as they walked for three days did not discourage the pilgrims who strove to endure the difficulties just to achieve the objectives of the annual event.

Just as in the past years, the annual pilgrimage was capped with evening activities like the Folk Dance and the Marian Song contests, which truly delighted both the judges and the audience. The Catechism exam was also conducted during the pilgrimage. The AoM National Council and Pilgrimage Committee headed by Mr. Jerwin Aguinaldo, in its effort to encourage and inspire the participants, also gave minor awards to deserving contingents.


The Cross News Team

7th TCP CONTEST WINNERS

Major Awards:

Catechism Exam (Religion & Religions and The Holy Mass)
1st- Aisha Maria Apalisok (San Jose Clan, Bohol)
2nd- Judith Dagatan (Santiago Clan, Gensan)
3rd- Annalie Villajos (Santiago Clan, Gensan)

Folk Dance

1st- Sta. Barbara Clan, Iloilo

2nd- San Jose Clan, Bohol

3rd- Miraculous Medal Clan, Jaro, Iloilo

Marian Song Contest

1st- Miraculous Medal Clan, Jaro, Iloilo


2nd- Santiago Clan, Gensan

3rd- San Jose Clan, Bohol

Minor Awards:

Most Creative Folk Dance- Miraculous Medal Clan, Jaro, Iloilo
Best Folk Dance Costume- Sta. Barbara Clan, Iloilo
Most Organized Group- Miraculous Medal Clan, Jaro, Iloilo
Most Lively Group- Santiago Clan, Gensan
Largest Contingent- Tacloban City
Best Group Banner- Mt. Carmel Clan, Manila
Most Active Clan- Miraculous Medal Clan, Jaro, Iloilo


Bravo Bravissimo! Very well done!