By Sis. Dina Balicanot

     Forty-one participants (all Filipinos and one South African) graduated from the one-day seminar held in the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center (Trung Tam Muc Vu Giao Phan) in Bis Ton Duc Thang, Ho Chi Minh City.

     With the leadership of our Vietnam Core Group of Sis. Peng Palmera, Bro. Don Dawa and Sis. Lizel Dawa, a date was set for the 2nd SES – three months since the first SES in April 2007.

     The search for a venue landed them to the generosity of Rev. Peter Kham Van Nguyen, who agreed to hold the SES in the pastoral center. The big-capacity venue promised in advance a good turnout for the seminar.

     Sis. Lizel handled the overall logistics, together with the hardworking graduates of SES I - Sis. Rose

Tago, Sis. Fe Teleron, Sis. Liza Gesulga and Bro. Aldrin de Guia. Sis. Joy, Bro. Sean, Sis. Edna and Sis. Jheckz assisted in the Music, Dance and Food ministries.

Sowing of seeds

    The SES kicked off with Bro. Allan Tigue’s spirit-filled talk on "Praise and Worship" where he shared the gift of worship to the participants. The topic was concluded with a powerful worship of music, songs and praises.

    Bro. Rene Tumang delivered the second topic, entitled "A Call to Covenant." He shared the story of Abraham and Moses to highlight that God is calling us to a covenant, that God promises rewards, protection and guidance. The message was clear – our lives are not for us alone but for others.

     The seminar resumed in the afternoon with Bro. Allan again, this time talking about "God's Loving Mercy." He underscored that even if we are the greatest of sinners, we can call upon His Mercy and He will never

disappoint us.

     Bro. Lito Dawa, the last of the triumvirate, discussed the next topic, "Living Like Jesus." He explained the spiritual challenge to think, talk, act and give like Jesus if we want to follow Him. He proceeded to complement his topic with a presentation on the Devotion to the Divine Mercy.

     Bro. Rene discussed the culminating topic, "Knowing the Source." He playfully collected valuable personal items from the participants to make them realize that in the end, God does not need our money and valuables – He needs our hearts to committed service – and that we must use our life to bring goodness to the Source. 

     A Holy Mass followed, officiated by Fr. Peter of Khiet Tam Church.

      The seminar harvest concluded with two new DMOBs for Viet Nam - Phu My Hung and the Airport Road. On the evening of August 21, 2007, the DM image was enthroned in the home of SES Batch 2 graduate Sis. Lucy Raymundo in Phu My Hung.

     After the enthronement, Bro. Rene, who was filled by the Holy Spirit, welcomed participants who needed counseling. Later in the night, he talked about the gift of healing to the group. The meeting ended in a healing session.

    Majority of the graduates have expressed their support to help in the community's mission to help the poor and propagate the Divine Mercy in the Philippines.