The 16th AFCCPC National Convention
Chaired by Mario and Purita Vazquez, the 16th National Convention was held in the Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel and Conference Center in East Rutherford, NJ, on July 1-3, 2011, and attended by an estimated 1,500 charismatic Catholics from the US and Canada. Fr. Ramon Valera, Head Shepherd of the Alliance, celebrated the opening liturgy on Friday evening. Sister Linda Koontz, S.N.J.M, based in El Paso TX, whose outreach ministry is the Spirit of the Lord International Mission, gave the keynote address. The Friday evening session featured a Festival of Praise participated in by at least 8 music ministries.
The Convention featured several other guest speakers: Oreste Pesare, Executive Director of ICCRS (International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services); Walter Matthews, Executive Director of the National Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal; Mark Nimo, Director of Religious Education in the Archdiocese of Chicago and former ICCRS Council member representing Africa; Michaela "Mik" Flores, Director of Lord's Flock International; Sonny Aguiling, founder of World Wide Prayer Warriors and servant leader of Couples for Christ; Richard de la Fuente, servant leader of the Bukas Loob Sa Diyos Covenant Community; Jerome de Leon, servant leader of Light of Jesus Community.
Although the Convention was much more than just speeches, it is nonetheless helpful to know what was talked about during the meeting to expound on God's Word and to edify the spiritual lives of the attendees. A list of general-assembly and workshop talks and speakers will give you a sense of what went on during the Convention.
1. Return to Me with Your Whole Heart. Sis. Linda Koontz. Keynote. General Assembly.
2. Our Need for Repentance. Fr. Bill Halbing, General Assembly.
3. Repentance: The Doorway to God's Presence. Mark Nimo. Workshop.
4. Be Doers of God's Word. Narciso Albarracin, Jr. Workshop.
5. Jesus, the Baptizer of the Holy Spirit. Fr. Ramon Valera. Workshop.
6. Serving One Another: the Key to Unity. Don Quilao. Workshop.
7. The Charisms: God's Magnificent Power. Bob Canton. Workshop.
8. Baptism in the Holy Spirit as the Source for Holiness. Oreste Pesare. Workshop.
9. How to Activate Signs, Wonders, and Miracles in Your life. Bob Canton. General Assembly.
10. How to be Filled with the Holy Spirit. Walter Matthews. Workshop.
11. The Power of the Eucharist. Fr. Joe Cadusale. Workshop.
12. The Power of Intercessory Prayer. Linda Koontz. Workshop.
13. Mary, the Model Charismatic. Fr. Ramon Valera. Workshop.
14. Defeating the Enemy by the Power of Praise and Worship. Bob Canton. Workshop.
15. The Fruit of the Holy Spirit. Fr. Bill Halbing. Workshop.
16. Baptism in the Holy Spirit as a Source of Serving the Church and the Entire World. Oreste Pesare. General Assembly.
17. Help Me Lord, I am Burdened. Linda Koontz. Workshop.
18. Overcoming Temptations and Sin in Your Life. Narciso Albarracin, Jr. Workshop.
19. Walking in the Culture of Pentecost. Walter Matthews. Workshop.
20. Maturing in the Holy Spirit. Mark Nimo. Workshop.
21. The New Pentecost. Oreste Pesare. Workshop.
22. Walk in Faith and Not by Sight. Fr. Bill Halbing. Workshop.
23. Jesus Christ, Heal My Afflictions and Infirmities. Bob Canton. General Assembly.
24. There is Joy in Repentance. Don Quilao. General Assembly.
25. How to Build a Spirit-Filled Community. Richard dela Fuente. Workshop
26. How to Build a Spirit-Filled Community. Jerome de Leon. Workshop.
27. How to Build a Spirit-Filled Community. Sonny Aguiling. Workshop.
28. How to Build a Spirit-Filled Community. Mikmik Flores. Workshop.
29. Lord, Help! I'm Depressed; I'm Lost. Mikmik. Flores. Youth Track.
30. How to Make a Difference in the World Around You. Mark Nimo. Youth Track.
31. Jesus, My Hope, My Victory! Bob Canton. Youth Track.
32. Reflections and Closing Remarks. Grace Bernardo. Youth Track.
What is a charismatic gathering without music? This Convention was blessed with the following anointed music ministries.
1. Spirit of God Music Ministry. Los Angeles, CA.
2. Ambassador for Christ through Mary Choir.
3. Servants' Voice Music Ministry.
4. St. John the Evangelist Prayer Community.
5. Igbo Catholic Community Music Ministry.
6. Light of Christ Music Ministry.
7. Ocean of Mercy Music Ministry.
8. Glorious Sword Catholic Charismatic Prayer Community
9. Pater Noster Music Ministry
10. Jesus and Mary Music Ministry
11. Lord's Flock Music Ministry
12. El Shaddai Flock of OLV Music Ministry
13. BLD Music Ministry
14. CFC Music Ministry
The closing Liturgy on Sunday afternoon was celebrated by Bishop Edgar da Cunha, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark (photo above).
Servant leaders assisting the Convention Chair behind the scenes are many and include: Nancy Manaois (Convention Secretariat); Dave Armesto (Deputy Chair); Liza Jablonski (Deputy Chair); James Hughes (Word Gift Ministry); Tony and Melba Barrameda (Vigil and Intercessory Ministry); Liza Jablonski (Liturgy Ministry); Nancy Manaois (Registration Ministry); Patrick de la Paz (Auxiliary Ministry); Amerito Gerodias (Healing Ministry); Florence Sikorski and Mila Umil (Hospitality Room Ministry); Roman Delin (Finance); Rowena Yaptangco (Music Ministry); Cookie Fernandez (First Aid Ministry).
The 16th National Convention is the first Alliance convention that was jointly sponsored by another organization, the Archdiocese of Newark, whose spiritual director for Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services is Fr. Bill Halbing who is also the Assistant Head Shepherd of the AFCCPC.
The next National Convention, a biennial event, will be held in 2013, in Los Angeles, CA. The major gathering of the Alliance in 2012 is the Toronto Regional Conference scheduled for September 7-9, 2012, and is being organized by the Filipino Canadian Catholic Charismatic Prayer Communities led by Don Quilao, a member of the Alliance Board. @@@
