By Froilan Torres, OCDS
THE Secular Teresian Carmelites from all over the Philippines gathered at the Carmelite Missionaries Center of Spirituality in Tagaytay City recently for its sixth Provincial Congress.
The congress, held every three years for the election of officers of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCDS) Provincial Council, was mandated by the order’s Provincial Statutes. It was attended by 87 officials and about a hundred more fraternal delegates, officers and volunteers from the all over the Philippines, representing the 45 Secular Carmelite communities from as far as Laoag, Ilocos Norte, in the north, and Jolo, Sulu, in the south.
The congress, with the theme “Teresian Carmelite Charism: Interpreted, Lived and Witnessed,” was the first held after the Philippines was declared a full-pledged Philippine Province of Saint Teresa of Jesus in 2015, considered a wonderful gift to Saint Teresa’s fifth birth Centenary (1515-2015). It was convened by Fr. Benedict Piangco, OCD, the provincial delegate to the OCDS.
Elected officials of the Provincial Council for the triennium 2016-2019 were Imelda D. Ramos, president; Emma A. Choa, provincial director of formation; Teresita S. Tayag, provincial councilor and regional director for North Luzon; Rosemarie C. Rivera, provincial councilor and regional director for National Capital Region (NCR) and South Luzon-A; Josefina J. Mendoza, provincial councilor and regional director for South Luzon-B; Pamela T. Henares, provincial councilor and regional director for the Visayas; and Rowena A. Baula, provincial councilor and regional director for Mindanao.
Appointed were Elsa Joy C. Tapan, provincial secretary; and Anna Maria D. Tinio, provincial treasurer.
The rector and parish Priest of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Fr. Joey Mabborang, OCD, presided the Mass of the Holy Spirit on April 21. The following morning, as a member of the Philippine Provincial Council, Father Mabborang delivered the Provincial Superiors Message to the plenary. He also thanked the generous participation and contributions of the OCDS to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and challenged all to continue taking part toward the realization of a shrine fit for Mary, Queen and Mother of Carmel.
Each member of the OCDS Provincial Council addressed the plenary and gave their term-end reports, beginning with the Provincial Council secretary, the president, director of formation, the provincial councilors and regional coordinators for Mindanao, North Luzon, the Visayas, South Luzon-B, NCR and South Luzon-A, the provincial council treasurer and the provincial delegate to OCDS.
With the presence of official representatives of all communities, the congress was also a venue to “program initiatives and approve proposals for the good of the Secular Order of Teresian Carmelites in the Philippines,” as provided for by its Provincial Statutes. Thus, a significant part of the gathering was the presentation and approval of the new Program for Ongoing Formation for Definitive Promise members, which will be sent to the OCD Definitory in Rome for approval.
With the approval of additional provisions in 2014 to the constitutions of the OCDS, amendments and clarifications for the OCDS Philippines Provincial Statutes became a necessity. The proposed amendments of the Provincial Statutes were presented, and discussions were opened for the plenary.
The election commission, headed by lawyer Monica Montemayor, OCDS, coordinated the whole process from registration of voters, election and proclamation of elected officers. The congress featured a “cultural night,” where each region presented a dance number showcasing OCDS communities’ talents and gifts.
The last day was set aside for turnover and regional meetings with the respective regional directors. Each region also selected and appointed their officers, such as regional secretaries and treasurers, and cluster coordinators. New regional plans and projects were also discussed. Father Piangco presided over the closing Mass, where the new Provincial Council professed their faith and recited their pledge of service.