Last August 3, 2008 at the Napocor Canteen, Quezon City, the Workers of our Community attended a Recollection let by Fr. Domie Guzman to ready themselves for their commitment to service.

The day started with a very up-lifting opening prayer and songs of praise led by Sis. Mylene Pineda.

The followers of the Catholic Church are commemorating the 2000 years birth of St. Paul, one of the Evangelists. Fr. Domie, expressed his appreciation to the Mater Dei M.E. Community for initiating a Recollection Day for its Workers in time with the Church’s recognition of one of its greatest worker – St. Paul. “It is in the example of St. Paul that we set the challenge of being a worker of the Lord,” Fr. Domie said. It was St. Paul who started preaching the gospel and he taught great numbers of people to make known what Christianity is all about. In his missions, St. Paul stated:

“ I have become all to all To bring all to the Lord.”

By all indications, service to the Lord means:

1. Sense of Commitment - which speaks of intensity. In the midst of varying philosophies, a worker should be determined to live by his choice.

2. Creativity - is finding and using all avenues to be effective. As Fr. Domie quoted Corinthian 9:22-23, “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”

3. Value for the Team- is openness to get other people to come and work with you. However, Fr. Domie stressed that the concern should not be, over-protecting your turf neither to establish a trademark for your reign and say no team can compare with your accomplishments.

A good worker targets for succession to ensure continuity.

A break up in groups according to the chosen ministry or apostolate was done after lunch. In this grouping, discussions were focused on the following concerns:

     - What are the challenges you find in your job?
     - In what way are you called to be creative in your ministry?

The capsulized discussion reports were submitted to the Board of Trustees. To culminate the activities, the reports were offered for blessing and lifting up to the Lord in the afternoon mass celebrated by Fr. Domie .

The Recollection Day participants were from B.O.T. – SL Asia, LE Garcia, DR Arraniego , TM Co, PV Contreras, RCManuel, and OT Mercado; Spiritual Growth Ministry – JM Pineda, NG Manalo, JM Santos, ET Capiral, AB Castillo, AV Reyes, OL Roxas, AH Muzar, BN Gonzales, DG Ildefonso; Worship Ministry – RL Varilla And LN Baston; Marriage Life Apostolate – RV Venezuela, RC De Paz, CL Aytona, RN Guerrero, RM Lacaba, LV Reyes, TRL Bayobo, TM Ang; Family Life Apostolate – DP Alejandro and RE Malicdem; Outreach Apostolate – RE Malicdem, D.P. Alejandro, BE Lopez, JB Alibayan, DR Caaya, GE Hayag, BA Mabesa, WO Rayos Music Ministry –JF Guballa, CC Armas, and RC Inocencio; Information & Publications Ministry – DB Ledesma and NB Pascual.

Sadly missed during the occasion were our co-workers from the Central Secretariat, General Services Ministry, Temporalities Ministry, Budget & Finance Ministry and Research, Training & Development Ministry.