The Secular Augustinian Recollects Fraternity of Recoletos Formation Center Chapter celebrated their 25th year anniversary (August 25, 2018) with Rev. Fr. Lauro V. Larlar, OAR, prior of RFC as main celebrant for the Eucharistic celebration at Our Lady of Consolation Parish (OLCP).
Seminarians, guests and some parishioners attended and congratulated the members of the SARF. Present too were their former spiritual directors Fr. Bernard Amparado, OAR and Fr. Sammy Silloriquez, OAR and other concelebrants—Fr. Jose Tol Almayo, OAR, Fr. Dionisio Q. Selma, OAR, Fr. Francisco Antonio, OAR, Fr. Ian Espartero, Fr. Antolin Lagrimas, and Fr. Hubert Decena.
Sr. Cora A. Padua, President of the SARF-Miranila Chapter, traced the brief history of the RFC fraternity beginning 1993 with 14 members. At present its active membership increased to 30, she continued. Bro. Edwin T. Ruiz, national president of SARF, awarded the founding members of the RFC-SAR fraternity. He also encouraged all members to place God at the center of their lives and to put away differences and be more united in order to create a vibrant community. He challenged everyone in the words, “Together with one mind and one heart let us build a better community.” Fr. Gideon Antolin U. Lagrimas, OAR, Parish Priest of OLCP, encouraged all members to build community within —“ after having constructed the physical church, let’s continue building the church within ourselves,” he said.
Fr. Selma reminded everyone that being a SARF member is both a vocation and a blessing. He advised everyone to “go deeper into our vocation and … thank the Lord for this gift.” Fr. Provincial ended his sharing with questions like “How are we? Where are we now? How are we, as part of the church and as a member of SARF? Am I proud of being a member of SARF?”
Congratulations to all members of the Secular Augustinian Recollect Fraternity RFC—Miranila Chapter!
By: Fray Ricky John Austria, OAR
