It’s that time again when Theresians (graduates of St. Theresa’s College from the Philippines) take time out for a spiritual breather like a recollection. Venue for the event, titled “One STC Recollection,” was the Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.
Members of the 2024 Steering Committee were composed of Theresians from STC-Manila, Quezon City and Cebu, who worked hard and long into the night to ensure attendance was visible and enthusiastic. And so it was, absolutely!
It was officiated by a very personable Filipino priest, Rev. Fr. Raymond Vicente Bareng Decipeda, a missionary from the Marian Missionaries of the Holy Cross (MMHC), whose journey to priesthood began at Don Bosco High School in Makati City. A transformative experience for him occurred during a retreat led by the Youth Marian Crusade, which motivated him to join the Anointed of Mary. He became a member of the MMHC and was ordained on Dec. 11, 1991. Since then, he has been assigned to various parishes in California until 2016, when he became pastor of St. John of God Church in Norwalk. Under his unwavering commitment and guidance the parish has thrived, with significant growth in faith and physical improvement for the needs of its expanding congregation.
Our smart and resourceful contact abroad is Maribel Kokseng-Kratz, a true-blue Cebuana and beloved Theresian, who has been a US resident for more than 30 years now. Retired, but never tired, she has devoted time and energy to this “One STC Recollection and R&R.” Presently, their steering committee has registered 88 warm bodies for this year. That was quite a huge difference from last year. Incidentally, we have named the hard-working members of the 2024 Steering Committee for “One STC Recollection and R&R.”
From STC-Manila: Lourdes R. Lara and Lucila Ocampo; From STC-Quezon City: Alice Zapanta Labayen, Carmelita Manahan Reyes, Connie Fructuoso Henry, Crescencia Torres Baluag, Del Fermin, Dolores Parungao Fernando, Duan Mohammed Leverson, Janina Dayrit Legazpi, Luisa Querubin Maglaya, Marilou Unson Ladines, Mharjoy Mendoza Macias, Nancy Ong Uy, Ofelia Ligon Gopez, Rosario Torres and Vivian Zapanta Lahoz. From our beloved STC-Cebu: Adel Chan, Consuelo Climaco Kingsley, Magda Montilla Santiago, Maribel Kokseng Kratz and May Toling Mediano.
We have included a photo of this dynamic committee with Rev. Fr. Raymond. Fr. Raymond was such an enormous hit! Truly God-given. Part 2 (Conclusion) is set for Thursday, Feb. 27. See you then!