DOMINICAN STUDENTATE RESUMES TEAM PREACHING AFTER TWO YEARS

Eduard D. Mercede, OP at Colegio Anunciata, San Carlos, Pangasinan; 2) Br. Marco Miguel C. Lorenzo, OP at UST-Legazpi, Albay; and 3) Br. John Rheed M. Caturza, OP and Br. Hengky Padaunan, OP at St. Benedict’s Academy, Guinobatan, Albay. Second row, from left: 1) Br. Marc Adrian H. de la Peńa, OP at Sta. Catalina College, Inc., Legarda, Manila; 2) Br. Rae Aaron A. Aguilar, OP at Dominican School of Calabanga, Camarines Sur.; and 3) Br. Denver Marx B. Colegado, OP at St. Mary’s Academy of Rosario, La Union. (PHOTOS COURTESY OF DOCUMENTATION TEAM OF TEAM PREACHING 2023)

Student-brothers preach the Word of God by facilitating recollections for students in various educational institutions in Luzon during Team Preaching 2023. First row, from left:

DENVER MARX B. COLEGADO, OP/KADAUPAN)

DAMAYAN 2022 reaches out to 321 families

Fr. Reynor E. Munsayac, OP speaks during the Lakbay Buhay Advent Recollection 2022. (PHOTO COURTESY OF OFFICE OF THE CHRONICLERS)

RESPONDING TO THE CHALLENGE for a more sharing, reflecting, and listening Church, the Dominican Studentate Pastoral Board and the Santo Domingo Parish conducted the Lakbay Buhay Advent Recollection 2022 with the theme, “Sama-samang Paglalakbay Tungo sa Komunyon, Pakikilahok, at Misyon” on December 3,

Sto. Domingo Parish listen 2022 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary La Naval de Manila, Sto. Domingo Church, Quezon City. Prior to the recollection proper, some Dominican priests from Sto. Domingo Convent heard confessions in order to help the lay faithful prepare spiritually in anticipation of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

DAMAYAN 2022 Page 3 DSMC | PAGE 2 Media apostolate group launches DSMC bootcamps THE CATHOLIC CHURCH continuously adapts to new technology to preach the Gospel to everyone. In line with this impetus VOLUME II, NO. 1 • MUKHA AD | PAGE 4 MUKHA AD welcomes Batch 33 THE MASIGLANG Ugnayan ng mga Kabataang Hinuhubog sa Anyo ng Anak ng Diyos (MUKHA AD) hosted its first ever face-to-face gathering after nearly three years on September 11, 2022 at the mezzanine of the Dominican Studentate. • AUGUST 2022 - JANUARY 2023

MEMBERS of the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) and organizations KAPATID | PAGE 8 Sharing the Fruits of Contemplation: Catechesis to the Children of Tatalon to Fr. Munsayac, OP, with the rest of the of REFLECTIONS | PAGE 10 The DSMC Experience: How It Helped Me Prepare for the Priesthood of Lakbay Buhay Advent Recollection 2022. (PHOTO COURTESY OF OFFICE OF THE CHONICLERS)

I HAVE BEEN PART of DSMC from 2019 to 2021.

If I may illustrate my involvement in this apostolic group, I was a ‘cracked pot’ who committed a lot of mistakes. To my surprise, God used my brokenness in order to prepare me to become a better person. I believe that, in his hands, nothing goes to waste. I am not a good leader; I am a silent type of person; and besides, I am not into social media communication. However, God challenged me through this apostolate. “Do I want a breakthrough in my pastoral formation?’ If yes, I should not avoid shaking. I must not be afraid of showing my brokenness. Instead, I should go out of my comfort zone. I should do the things have never done before and never stop learning. I should be willing to “die” for my ministry.

One of the most obvious challenges in DSMC (especially during the pandemic) is to livestream liturgical celebrations with good quality in terms of content, video, and audio. With this demand, we should therefore equip ourselves with skills and knowledge in order to produce quality livestreaming that meets the viewers’ expectations. Precisely, it was not easy for me. However, praise the Lord because He extended His invisible hands to prepare and guide me as the DSMC Coordinator. Through the help of the brothers in DSMC and in the Studentate, I knew I was in good hands. This brought joy and growth to my pastoral formation. Why?

Firstly, my involvement in DSMC taught me how to be humble and to be childlike who is willing to be formed. Twelve-year journey in formation made me realize that I am just a little part of the Order, and I am nothing without mercy of God and the community. The practice of the four pillars of Dominican life should be integrated faithfully. In this case, the main purpose of the apostolic group is to prepare us before we engage in the wider pastoral ministry. For this reason, the best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.

Secondly, my involvement in DSMC helped me fix my brokenness. There would be no opening for His grace to come in and fill my life without this breakthrough in my pastoral formation. Indeed, when God calls us, He will prepare us as well.

Therefore, I would like to express my gratitude to God, the DSMC, and the community for the ministries entrusted to me. At the end of the day, its challenges and success have transformed into perseverance and a greater blessing to me more than ever.