Neocatechumenal Way Community

Background

The Neocatechumenal Way was born in 1964 in the shanty towns of Palomeras Altas, near Madrid (Spain) through its initiators Kiko Arguello, Carmen Hernandez and Fr. Mario Pezzi.

Fr. Juan Andechaga, S.J. then Parish Priest of Mary the Queen Parish accepted “The Way” in his Parish by allowing the Spanish team of Catechists to conduct the first evangelization of the Neocatechumenal way in the Philippines. This led to the formation for the first Neocatechumenal Way community in the Philippines. He also introduced and formed “The Way” in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Cebu City in the Year 1988. Fr. Andechaga walked and presided over the community celebrations.

When Fr. Peter Chuang, S.J. was assigned to Sacred Heart Parish as one of the Parish Vicars, he also walked with the communities and presided over the community celebrations from 1996 up to the time of his transfer to Ateneo de Manila University Infirmary in 2015 for health reasons.

Ministry and Charism

a. First Community

  1.  In charge of the Parish Pre-Jordan Seminars;
  2. Part of the team giving the Parish Pre-Cana Seminar;
  3. Visiting sick parishioners from the territorial communities;
  4. Visiting the wakes of the dead parishioners from the territorial communities and offering prayer services to the bereaved family.

b. Second Community

  1. 2×2 mission every Monday from 7:00pm visiting houses in Lorega San Miguel to announce the Love of God through their concrete experiences;
  2. 2 brothers are part of the itinerant teams evangelizing Central Luzon and Cagayan Valley/Ilocos region;
  3. 1 brother answered the vocation call for priesthood at Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary (Paranaque, Manila).

c. The Third and the Fourth communities are still in the stage of the pre catechumenate. As they mature in their walking “The Way” charisms and vocations may arise.

The Neocatechumenal Way Community of Sacred Heart Parish has been in service to Parish needs for over 20 years.

Organization Activities

  • Weekly celebration of the Word as one community
  • Weekly celebration of the Holy Eucharist combined as one community
  • Monthly convivence (whole day retreat) per community
  • Two-days yearly convivence (live in retreat) in preparation for receiving of the new liturgical year. Vocational calling is done within the convivence
  • Announcements of Advent, Lent and Easter to prepare the brothers in welcoming the different seasons in the Church Calendar
  • Monthly Youth Scrutatio every 1st Sunday of the Month from 2- 6pm. This is open to the youth from Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, San Roque Parish of Subangdaku, San Nicholas de Tolentino Parish in Pasil, Blessed Arnold Janssen Parish in Mambaling and Santiago Apostol de Compostela Parish in Compostela. Guided by a team of catechists, the youth go through an in-depth study of the Bible for a deeper understading. A Eucharistic Adoration ends the Scrutatio the scriptural study
  • Yearly evangelization - adult catechesis open to SHP parishioners who want to join the communities
  • Joining local or international Pilgrimages, like the World Youth Day celebrations. Vocational calling is also done during these events
  • nnual Easter Mission in the squares (3rd Sundays after Easter) where all four community members join. This is usually conducted in the basketball courts of the Parish’s territorial communities. There is singing and dancing, as well as spontaneous sharing from the youth on their struggles and how the Church has helped them, followed by a short catechesis

Set of Officers / First Community

Albert/Carmelita Odchigue

09307783090

Marlo/Nelita Pastrano

09172032719

Set of Officers / Second Community

Henry/Robelyn Batobalonos

09223042825

Set of Officers / Third Community

Jay Borenaga

09171344073

Melogina Conde Despe

09302464419

Set of Officers / Fourth Community

Desiree Buncad

09190007185

Organization Images