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Shepherd's Flock Prayer Community

Our History

The Shepherd’s Flock Prayer Community traces its origins to the early days of the Catholic Charismatic Movement in the Philippines. That was when Jaime Cardinal Sin named Msgr. Fidelis Limcaco, then the parish priest of Fairview, one of the movement’s leaders during its nascent years in the 70s.

Pretty soon, the Catholic Life in the Spirit Seminar (CLSS) became a permanent component in the spiritual enrichment of the parishioners of the Good Shepherd Parish. In fact, many of our parish servant leaders at present became members or even leaders of the CLSS Secretariat – as what the group conducting the seminar came to be known. These were the likes of Kuya Aster and Ate Sally Rea, former Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) Chair-couple; Kuya Rene and Ate Imelda Isidoro of the NAPPS; Ate Baby Javier, who’s now with CEFAM and regularly conducts the “Healing the 8 Stages of Life” Seminar; and many other respected and well-loved leaders of the Good Shepherd Parish.

In 1994, Msgr. Fidelis tapped Kuya Butch and Ate Mona Donato to further vitalize the CLSS activities. Kuya Butch and Ate Mona were ably assisted by another young couple, Kuya Bobby and Ate Armi Luz. The two young couples stressed on prayer and community as the best way to sustain the CLSS Secretariat. In effect, what they envisioned was a community, instead of a mere group of officers as what a secretariat implies.

Though Kuya Butch and Ate Mona literally started from scratch, they were able to build a growing community through their visionary and caring leadership and by the merciful grace of God. By the time their 2-year term was over, the CLSS Community, as what it had unofficially become to be known among its members, had already become a thriving fellowship of Kuyas and Ates.

1n 1996, the leadership of the CLSS – as what the community was known in the parish circle – went to the charge of Kuya Bobby and Ate Armi Luz, the assistant chair-couple of Kuya Butch and Ate Mona.

Kuya Bobby and Ate Armi proved to be nurturing leaders who led the community to further spiritual growth and maturity. It was also during their term when the Youth Apostolate of the CLSS or YC was established. Both of them, however, had to attend to the demands of a growing family and equally growing responsibilities in the workplace, which made it increasingly difficult for them to devote their time to the community. Thankfully, they were competently assisted by Kuya Rico and Ate Luz Moreno, who became the chair-couple after their 2-year term.

Believing that the future of the community was in the youth, Kuya Rico and Ate Luz begun empowering the younger members of the community. Their leadership was marked by activities geared towards attracting more young members. Sports fests were organized and a basketball team was formed, among others.

Punctuating the growth of the CLSS community were outreach activities in as far as the Isabela and Camarines provinces. Bringing the CLSS beyond its traditional frontiers was additionally enriching for the spiritual life of the community by way of service.

After Kuya Rico’s and Ate Luz’ 2-year term, Kuya Jake L. Santos was appointed interim caretaker of the CLSS Secretariat in January 2000. On March 2000, Kuya Jake was officially appointed Officer-in-charge with the instruction from Msgr. Fidelis to bring back or bring more senior members to the CLSS. It took him 4 years to do it. But by June 2004, Kuya Jake finally turned over the servant-leadership to Kuya George Villasis.

Last February 2004, the officers of the community elders made a courtesy call on Msgr. Romy Rañada, the current parish priest of the Good Shepherd, for a consultative meeting and got his go signal to revitalize, refocus and rethink the function of the CLSS Secretariat (aka CLSS or CCRC). This community would become more people-oriented instead of function-oriented and work for the transformation of its members and become agents of transformation for the greater parish community by witnessing Christ through a life in the Spirit.

To further strengthen the ties of the community members and to empower them, pastoral care groups (PCG) or small groups were organized and will serve as the backbone of the community.

On March 2004, after much prayer, communal discernment and consultation, the CLSS community was renamed the Shepherd’s Flock.

Core Values

	Personal, loving and intimate relationship with the Lord, for in it we find the seed of faith
	The Christian Community Spirit (praying together, sharing, shepherding, acceptance and fellowship), for it nurtures the seed of faith
	Service to others that leads to conversion and community building, for it fulfills our faith
	The Holy Spirit, for He empowers us with the charismatic gifts to nurture and fulfill our faith

Vision

As a Parish-based Organization, to be a Community of Disciples of Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit

Mission

To cultivate and propagate our faith in the Christian Community Spirit of prayer, scriptures, community, service, fellowship and the Eucharist.

Specifically,

	To Draw people to regular community renewal and growth activities that open them to the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit (to cultivate faith)
	To Lead them to serve the Community as well as the Parish through the different ministries working with the former (that they may fulfill and propagate their faith towards community building)
	To Build working relationships within and outside of the parish (for mutual enlightenment and growth)

Activities

1. Weekly prayer meetings (Wednesday 8-10 PM
2. Catholic Life in the Spirit Seminars (CLSS) for Aspirants (one weekend)
3. Regular growth activities in the different community ministries
4. Basic Christian Maturity (BCM) formation for CLSS graduates (4 Fridays, 8-10 PM)
5. Integration of CLSS graduates with BCM formation into the different community ministries and parish organizations of their choices.

Requirements for Membership

• Completion of the CLSS and the BCM programs
• At least 18 years old regardless of socio-economic background
• Willing to surrender oneself to the Lord and be a witness of His greatness and goodness