MISSION STATEMENT

The Filipino Ministry St. Mary Magdalene enthusiastically support our parish mission and vision to “Love Jesus Wholeheartedly, Love Others Unconditionally, and Make Disciples Intentionally”. We are, as a part of a culturally diverse community, are called to be one body and united with our parish and the Diocese of San Bernardino, and are committed to fostering evangelization, family life, faith formation for our children, and community outreach, while nurturing positive Filipino cultural traits, values and traditions, and to encourage our members to participate in all parish activities, and being exceptional stewards of our God-given time, talents and treasures for the good of all and for the greater glory and honor to God.

OUR PURPOSE

The Filipino Ministry is to assist the Priest, the Pastoral Council and the parish personnel of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Parish in their pastoral outreach program to the Filipino community, to facilitate inculturation and integration to the larger Church community, allowing Filipino culture, religious values, and spirituality to spread out, enrich and strengthen the faith by promoting the values of:

Maka-Diyos (Pro-God)

Maka-tao (Pro-People)

Makabayan (Patriotic)

Makabuhay (Pro-Life)

Makakalikasan (Pro-Creation)

The Filipino Ministry is committed to promoting the use of our God-given gifts and talents for the pursuit of justice, peace and Christian unity.

OUR OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Filipino Ministry are:

To collaborate with the parish’s groups in developing and implementing ministries/programs relevant to the mission of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Parish;

To promote activities which will encourage Filipinos to participate in the different ministries/programs of the parish, particularly the poor and oppressed through parish and diocesan programs;

To foster Filipino faith communities in accordance with Filipino family values and meaningful worship, while promoting dialogues and solidarity with other cultures
To promote the vocations of priesthood, deaconate, religious life and the formation of lay leaders and ministries

To promote the value of stewardship among the Filipinos from different age levels and stress the importance stewardship plays in the life of a Christian, whether in the Church or the community; and
To promote local, national and international solidarity, not just with Filipino concerns, issues and matters; but, with other ethnic communities and nationals in the larger community.

2015-2016 Officers

Chairman

Vice-Chairman Lita Rapisura

Secretary Melinda Demeo

Treasurer Chona Lopez

Sergeant-at-Arms Lulubel Stala

Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Vivian Alvar

Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Emma Castillo

Past Chairmen

Irene “Leny” Ramos 2013-2014

Jong Ramundo 2012-2013

Lourdes Bolano 2010-2012

Our History

St. Mary Magdalene Filipino Ministry (SMM-FiLM) was formally established in October 2010 and started as a small group of Filipino parishioners proudly dedicated to promoting Filipino culture and religiosity in the parish community. Father Vincent Au envisioned the group to be under the guidance of the Diocese of San Bernardino (DSB) Filipino Ministry. He initially met with the group in the Spring of 2010 and under the leadership of Lourdes Bolano and Virgie Fojas, they collaborated and formed the ministry. The first elected officers of the SMM-FiLM consisted of: Lourdes Bolano (Chairman), Virgie Fojas (Vice-Chairman), Lolita McKay (Secretary), Virgie Balanga (Treasurer) and Louie Coliflores (Sergeant-at-Arms). In December of 2010, the ministry celebrated its first parish spiritual and cultural event – Simbang Gabi.

Our Meetings

All general business meetings are held on the first (1^st) Sunday of each month in the Holy Family House (main conference room), unless otherwise announced, at 2 p.m. Like all Filipino gatherings, food, snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Our Membership

If you are a registered Filipino Catholic at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, and are committed to our mission and purpose, then you are welcome to join our ministry. Registered non-Filipino Catholics may join

the Filipino Ministry, as an associate member, but shall not vote on matters that come before the general membership for a vote.

Our Success Stories

In December 2013, we hosted the Closing Mass for Simbang Gabi and reception for the Diocese of San Bernardino. Then two months later, we were the first service ministry to host the Valentine’s Day Dinner-Dance to help raise funds for our new sanctuary building fund. Over 300 people attended and we raised over $15,000! Over 350 people attended the 2015 St. Valentine’s Day Dinner-Dance at Eagle Glen Country Club and an additional $17,000 was raised for our “Building My Church with Living Stones” Building Fund. We’ve held Zumba-thons, did Christmas caroling in numerous parishioner family homes, held one-day casino turn-around trips, served and sold Krispy Kreme doughnuts and coffee after all Sunday morning Masses twice a year, held leadership mini-retreats, supported disaster relief efforts in the Philippines each year, and in 2014 began sponsoring a seminarian, Brother Alwyn Anfone, with our prayers and financial support.

MISSION STATEMENT

Contact

Lita Rapisura 271-6600 lprapisura@gmail.com