About 542 Catholics, mostly members of the Ligaya ng Panginoon (Joy of the Lord) Catholic Community as well as Ateneo students, attended the Ligaya Pathways Purpose Driven Life Seminar held Mondays from October to December 2005 at the Xavier School, San Juan, Metro Manila.
The students attended the seminar as part of their Theology class. However, most of them found the seminar encouraging with valuable lessons learned.
“I like the way Rick Warren distilled the purposes for our life and the way he summarized it. It is something that gives you new insights even if you have been reading the bible for a long time. If you have discovered the treasure of eternal life you would want to share it,” Dr. Carlos I. Lasa, Jr. said. And Dr. Lasa has been sharing it through the Purpose Driven Life principles. As small group leader, Dr. Lasa believes that everyone should hear the good news of salvation. Evangelism, he believes, is a major purpose for one’s existence.
“This is more of a deepening, a growing in deeper appreciation and understanding of our purpose in life. Small groups help us to dig deeper into the principles. The bible verse memorization is very helpful,” Chito Morales, a sales and marketing specialist who serves in the singles ministry of the community, said. He explained that the PDL allows Community members to deepen people’s relationship with the Lord as the materials are seen by most as non-threatening and very practical.
“We are very excited; we have seen the fruits of our efforts because we have 200 new participants attending the PD seminar. People are growing slowly as they enjoy learning from Rick Warren,” Chito added.
“We are so pleased with what the Lord is doing because people keep coming. We are getting inquiries how they can bring the PD to their churches, offices and communities. We are willing to help them out. We are happy because many Filipinos are experiencing a renewed hope, a renewed purpose for living in the midst of the challenges we face as a nation,” Atty. Bobby Quitain, coordinator of the PD seminar, explained.
PD campaign director Ruel Morales is amazed at how the Lord has been working out the seminar for them. “Personally, I am edified, I am blessed. I thank God for how He has provided everything – from the availability of a good venue to people who serve food, as small group leaders, as ushers, and those who volunteered to handle the registration which was really a challenge. The response has been tremendous and that is the experience of the power of God. This is the third PD seminar I have handled but each one is different. I thank God for using me and for the transformation that He is doing to me each time I handle a campaign,” he delightfully shared.
