Lenten Retreat - March 16, 2024 at Holy Family Catholic Church Orange, CA

FFRGOC sent out flyers through our Board of Directors - Officers and Chapter Directors to FFRGOC families and friends and was also posted on our events website. Constant follow up through chats , telephone calls and emails paid off with a very good turn out which was 258 attendees as provided by our efficient FFRGOC Social Activities Director, Chat Agbayani.

Our choice of Retreat Master, Rev. Father Eamon O' Gorman, a retired priest, of the Diocese of Orange, through our Religious Enrichment Director, Evelyn Ruiz attracted also some people that the priest knew and met through the years on his parishes he served and the pilgrimages he led and we were also surprised to see Jim Paddock's family and friends. Jim was past District Governor of Rotary International and a devout Catholic from Placentia and friend of Ernie Delfin who used to be Assistant Governor on Jim's term.

Evelyn Ruiz started the retreat emphasizing that the Season of Lent is a period of Repentance, Alms Giving and Self- Denial and to be more quiet to listen to our inner voice and capture the essence of the sharing of the Retreat Master on the chosen theme

"Journeying with Mary on Holy Week ."

Evelyn Ruiz

The retreat went as scheduled and the Holy Rosary was led by our Second VP Walter Bayubay as shown below followed by selected FFRGOC members who led each mystery of the Holy Rosary.

Walter Bayubay

Letty Lagos

Celia Terrible

Emma Ronquillo

Lynn Sioson Viray

Evelyn Ruiz introduced the Retreat Master who even complimented her for a very good introduction of him. Here goes in bullet points for easy reading:

• Retired 10 years ago after many years of service with the Diocese of Orange both in parish ministry and chancery;

• Resides in Placentia/Fullerton Area and offered to assist at St. Joseph Parish;

• Born in Ireland and from a family that served in the priesthood who also came to California i.e. Uncle Michael O'Gorman in Los Angeles and Msgr. Charles O' Gorman in Oxnard who are both deceased;

• Was the former Pastor of

  • St. Columban -1982 to 1993

  • St. Timothy and

  • St. Catherine of Sienna and others;

• First Spiritual Advisor of Orange Diocese Magnificat;

• Former Head of the Charismatic Renewal and "Deliverance Priest" for the Diocese of Orange;

• Was the Vicar for priests in the Diocese of Orange as a go-to-person where he ministered the needs of 178 Diocesan Priests, a very important role, and all consultations were confidential;

• Ministered the sick and retired priests and made "house calls;

• Helped seminarians and even extended financial support to a priest;

• Ministered to the women's jail;

• Has been to the Holy Land 12 x leading pilgrimages but postponed the February, 2024 trip due to ongoing Middle East crisis which we pray will not escalate any further.

Father Eamon O'Gorman

The retreat went smoothly in two sessions with a break in between. Everyone was in awe listening to his profound teachings. And yes, no one is sleeping!

Father Eamon O'Gorman so passionate in his teachings

After the retreat sessions, everyone proceeded to the church which is the Holy Family Catholic Church in Orange, CA. The altar was so beautiful and perfectly decorated for Easter.

The Altar of the Holy Family Catholic Church

Our Retreat Master and FFRGOC Spiritual Director Father Caboboy ready to celebrate the mass assisted by Eli Ruiz, FFRGOC Seminary Director and all the altar servers

Church was almost full with participants

With Ayie Bayubay, wife and Mama of Walter Bayubay were among happy attendees

FFRGOC Malou Aguinaldo who enabled us to use the church as the venue and happy to serve as Eucharistic Minister

Our Lenten Retreat Mass was also highlighted with the singing of our famous HRPCC choir who provided us with such beautiful music during the mass which made our mass more lively and people enjoyed and prayed and sang with the choir led by Larry Orque Jr, HRPCC Music Director. Choir President Glenn Puzon was on vacation together with his wife, Mary Ann Puzon, FFRGOC First VP.

Petitions led by Walter Bayubay

Ama Namin (Our Father ) Prayer

Jesus Remember Me When We Come Into Your Kingdom (Mass Ended)

After the mass, boxed lunches with rice and Filipino entrees and sweets were distributed to all attendees who were more than our original count who RSVPs. But all was good and everyone got their share of food including a Lent 2024 Calendar complete with Daily Scriptures and Reflections for Lent.

Some of the pictures I took during the mass and during lunch:

Father Eaton delivering his homily

The ladies that work hard during this event - FFRGOC President Helen Alonzo and Religious Enrichment Director Evelyn Ruiz

FFRGOC Spiritual Director Father Caboboy with Boots Mercado, FFRGOC Auditor

FFRGOC Great Supporter Bert Mones and his friend

Thank you all for being part of our Lenten Retreat and for those who were not able to join us we hope to see some of you in our next event (s).

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