The Workers’ Recollection was held last August 2, 2009 at Victoria Bldg., Quezon Ave., Quezon City  with Bro. Obet Cabrillas and Fr. Domie Guzman as Resource Speakers.  Shepherd Mylene Pineda led the Opening Prayers.  The Workers’ Recollection  was attended by  44 couples representing the different apostolates and ministries.

As the first Speaker for the day, Bro. Obet delved on  the topic UNITY.  He said that in order to achieve Unity, the team should work towards synergy.  Each member of a Team should aspire to be a Team Builder and not  a Team Burden.  To achieve the Team Builder status one must have in mind the 3 Cs:
           

• Contrite  - “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted “ (Luke 14:11)
• Centered - “He is before all things and in HIM all things hold together” (Collosians 1:17)
• Caring - “Do nothing out selfishness or out of vain glory, rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not his own interest but also of everyone.” (Phillippians 2:3-4)

Bro. Obet then quoted Mahatma Gandhi in saying “Be the change you want to see in the world!” and posed the Challenge: Be a Team Builder! 

After the talk of Bro. Obet, the attendees were divided into groups and they discussed the following issues:
  
1) In what team-burden tendencies are you struggling with right now?  Agonize with the truth if you have to and share it with a safe friend.
2) In what team-builder virtue are you strong in?  Enhance your strengths while working on your weaknesses.

It was a working lunch for all the groups and the processing of the shared inputs was done by Bro. Chok Aytona.  The inputs revealed that the burden  arises from: (1)  spouse’s non-cooperative effort to attend activities on a regular basis and to seriously abide by with commitments; (2) financial constraints or conflict with work schedules; (3)  the needs of the children also come in – sickness, studies, or no househelp to watch over the kids; ( 3). Elders in the community - who do not seem to have confidence on the capabilities of the workers, who are  unapproachable,  or who are too demanding.

The Team-Builder virtue cited was the bond that has developed  among classmates which  transcends to the deep involvement in community activities.  The participants openly stated, after all, - “We still see a united Mater Dei M.E. Community!”

The groups were composed of:  Group I – Josie Acierto, Puring Alegria, Jojo Baguio (Team Leader), Joy Geronimo, Gina Ildefonso, Wilson Opeda and  Reylan Varilla;  Group II – Anilo Alegria, Marian Co, Baby Cruz, Lyn Cruz, Joan Esguerra, Mafe Lacaba and Adora Mabesa;  Group III – Edgar Capiral, Pris Contreras, Arnold Cruz, Sherwin Esguerra, Bobby Mabesa (Team Leader), Ariel Mendoza, Lelet Meer and Angie Rabor; Group IV - Carlos Armas, Alex Aquino, Tess Capiral, Tito Catacutan, Edmond Gonzales, Arnel Meer, Richie Rebollido (Team Leader) and Renato Zapanta; Group V- Lulu Aytona, Lita Aquino, Connie Armas, Rheda Catacutan, Josie Emocling, Josie Gonzales, Carmen Inocencio (Team Leader) Richard King, Len Roxas and Cora Zapanta; Group VI – Ana Dabatos, Bhel Dagli, Myrna King, Rolly Malicdem, Lilian Morales, Pat Rivera (Team Leader) Tess Sy; Group VII  Ren Dagli, Cres De Paz, Jo-Ann Estarez, Jennifer Gregorio, Fe Guballa, Guadalupe Ordoñez, Tony Rivera (Team Leader), Don Salisi; Group VIII- Janes Abrogueña, Sheryl Garay, Boyet Gumabao, Ester Malicdem, Ding Mayor (Team Leader), Inchong Ordoñez, Liza Salisi, Beth Taray, and Jess Versoza; Group IX – Romel Acierto, Dodong Garay, Tony Geronimo (Team Leader), Em Lopez, Glenda Opeda, and Merlyn Versoza

After lunch, Fr. Domie started off by saying, “Grace builds on nature” which means that in every struggle and commitment, it is nature which will move one to discover the rewards and graces of the Lord.  He stated the common line “walang himala!”  but cited such miracles where nature was its instrument i.e. turning water into wine, showing the abundance of fish to feed the people .

Using the excerpts from Deutronomy, Chapters 1-4,  Fr. Domie shared his parallelism of events with  specific situations in the Mater Dei fellowship and leadership, its issues and concerns, frustrations and aspirations and its successful stints.

After his talk, Fr.Domie officiated the Mass and before the final blessing, he requested each Apostolate and Ministry  to stay together and internalize the lesson on Humility thru the re-enactment of the Washing of the Feet. The workers were instructed by Fr. Domie to was each other’s feet. Even the Board of Trustees washed each other’s feet—the Bro. Sam Asia washed the feet of  Ljay Emma Garcia, then the Vice-President washed the feet of the Trustees on their side and so on. By coincidence or by fate, the President’s feet were washed by his shepherds, Tom and Marian Co. And while the workers took turns in washing the feet, those whose feet were being washed prayed over the ones washing their feet.