FROM THE LCSC MODERATOR

ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW LCSC PILLAR

LCSC is 10 years old on October 9 this year. Over these years, much work of the New Evangelization has been accomplished. LCSC continues to be brought to parishes and to the publics. There is still much work to be done.

When the roots of the LCSC mission started, with MFC, in 1981, the focus was on evangelization. This was simply because many lay Catholics were seen to be catechized, sacramentalized, but not evangelized. And so we went about evangelization with a passion. We still do. Many Catholics were brought back to the faith, and started living their lives in and for Christ.

Interestingly, what we have discovered is that many lay Catholics do not actually know about the specific aspects of their Catholic faith. So we see the phenomenon of Catholics being evangelized but not catechized. They live their faith as Christians, but do not know much about their Catholic faith. But the Catholic Church is the one true Church established by Jesus himself, and to be a Christian is to be a Catholic.

So with evangelization, we help transform a Catholic into a true Christian, but there is also the need to help transform these Christians into true Catholics. The Catechized are evangelized, but now the evangelized need to be catechized.

And so LCSC is launching a 5^th pillar. It is called LIVE THE FAITH (LtF). Its focus will be on catechesis (teaching and explaining the Catholic faith) and apologetics (defending the Catholic faith).

The various programs of LtF will be the following:

1. Live the Faith Forum. There will be 2 sessions. These will be the basic introductory talks to take up what LtF is all about. The objectives are:

• to understand the Catholic faith, and
• to grow in it by embracing a Catholic lifestyle.

2. Know the Faith Series. There will be 6 sessions on the 12 articles of the Creed.

3. Defend the Faith Series. There will be 6 sessions on the following:

• Defending the Faith: Our One True Church
• The Saints: Our Heavenly Friends
• Mama Mia: Knowing our Mother Mary
• The Sacraments: Connecting Souls to Christ and His Church
• The Eucharist: Our Food for the Journey
• The Bible: God’s Love Letter to Us.

4. Celebrate the Faith Catechesis. This will provide modular catechesis on various sacraments, as follows:

• For Matrimony: an Engaged Couples Retreat, which is basically a marriage preparation program (accredited by the Church), with 6 sessions;
• For the Eucharist: “Blessed by the Eucharist,” a first Communion preparation program for kids (participated in also by their parents), with 5 sessions;
• For Confirmation: “Activate the Power,” a Confirmation preparation program for teens, with 5 sessions.

5. Media involvement.

• Shows and podcasts, such as: Truth Project; Modern-Day Prophets; Pints with Aquinas.
• Partnering with Catholic social media influencers.
• Cool Catholics.

There is much work to be done. And if we are to do this right, if we are to move forward what the Holy Spirit has revealed to us, if we are to seize the opportunities that such a pillar opens up for our work, we do need money. We have the pastoral resources, but lack the monetary resources. This is not just for LtF but for the whole work of LCSC.

Right now we have 30 fulltimers in LCSC. Total compensation is P577,000 per month. But we need more people. Just for LtF, to do it justice, we will need 1 admin staffer, 1 accounting staffer, 3 fulltimers and 3 fulltime media missionaries. The other pillars are understaffed as well.

LCSC, not being an ecclesial association, has no members, unlike MFC. Its basic source of income is Gideon 300 (G300), where people pledge to give P1,000 per month for at least a year, but hopefully forever (it of course remains voluntary). But what we receive now is far less than 300, and the shortfall is covered by MFC, and various other donations.

But the solution is simple, and need not be burdensome on anyone. It is still G300, with a donation of P1,000 a month. But it can be done by individuals and by groups. For groups, these can be a household, a unit, a chapter, an area, a country. You can see how easy and affordable it is when you talk of larger and larger groups.

So please take the initiative. Individuals of course are invited to be part of G300. But how about the Household Servant taking the initiative to present LtF to the household members and make the household a donor of G300? How about the Chapter Servant taking this initiative for the chapter?

With the pandemic ongoing, we still are not doing much mission travel, which takes a big chunk of mission finances. But mission travel will resume sooner or later. Let us gear up to make LCSC financially stable, and able to do its work.

Last night, in my regular podcast, I talked of Live the Faith. I think you will find it informative. It is on Facebook and YouTube. Please watch it.

We continue to live in challenging but exciting times. The enemy is all out in its assault. We need to strive to be holy warriors that will defend faith, family and life. LtF is another weapon given the Army of Mary.

I hope to see you engaged actively in this war. “Contend for the faith that was once for all handed down to the holy ones.” (Jude 1:3b).

God bless you all.

Bro. Frank Padilla
LCSC Moderator
August 26, 2021