BRIEF HISTORY OF THE HEARTS OF JESUS AND MARY PRAYER COMMUNITY (HJMPC)
BY JUN & IRENE GUEVARRA
ME Class 105 (PDCC - August 1989)
THE HEARTS OF JESUS AND MARY PRAYER GROUP
From 1988 to 1992, the Hearts of Jesus and Mary was a regular prayer group of Pag-ibig Sa Diyos Catholic Community (PDCC). Hearts of Jesus and Mary Prayer Group was organized by PDCC ME Class No. 61, led by Tito Naning and Tita Mila Alinea, one of the coordinators and Tito Ben and Tita Luz Gadi, as the Shepherd Couple. In Nov. 1987 after sponsoring an ME Class, the members of Class 61 were riding together in a bus, singing and praying, suddenly Tito Jacy Dyquiatco said in a loud voice with conviction and inspiration, “Brother Naning, bakit hindi tayo mag-organize ng prayer group doon sa Quezon City” The others said “ siya nga ano” . After some time and meetings, the group met with with the Presiding Elder Tito Donald Dee and Tita Joy Dee, together with Tito Ben and Tita Luz Gadi, and were given encouragement, especially by Tita Joy Dee. After several meetings, the group of less than twenty couples started to meet on Februrary 1988, every Thursday, at the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish Church, at West Triangle, Quezon City. The weekly schedule was later transferred to Tuesday
In March 1990, the HJM Prayer Group was forced to leave the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish Church at West Triangle, because the church was being renovated. Tito Ben and Tita Luz Gadi, together with Tito Naning and Tita Mila Alinea, talked to Fr. Soc Villegas, Rector of the newly built Shrine of Our Lady of Peace at the corner of EDSA and Ortigas Avenue. Fr. Soc Villegas allowed HJM Prayer Group to hold its prayer meetings at the Shrine every Tuesday. He also agreed to be the Spiritual Adviser of the HJM Prayer Group.
MAJOR ISSUES WITH PDCC – THE MOTHER COMMUNITY
On November 28, 1991, PDCC held its annual selection of four (4) new elders for the year 1992 – 1993. Many members of the community were not satisfied with the process as well as with the result. In addition, there were new community policies that did not sit well with the community members particularly with the members of HJM prayer group.
On January 17, 1992, the HJM Core members, led by its Head Coordinator Tito Raffy / Tita Amy Flores, sent a position paper to the Council of Elders regarding seven (7) issues that concerned the HJM Prayer Group. The Council of Elders of PDCC sent their reply and a reconciliatory meeting with the HJM Core Members was held at the residence of Elder Donald/Joy Dee on January 30, 1992. The reconciliatory meeting failed to resolve several issues.
In a special meeting held at the residence of Tito Naning / Mila Alinea on February 3, 1992, the Core Members of the HJM Prayer Group by a vote of 8 – 6, resolved to establish an independent community. A referendum was scheduled on February 11, 1992.
FORMATION OF SANTISIMO ROSARIO – UST PRAYER GROUP (SRU-PG)
Towards the end of 1991, Tito Naning Alinea gathered all members of HJMPG who were living at or near Sampaloc area. Many graduates of PDCC ME Class 108 and below lived in this area. When a sufficient number of committed graduates were confirmed, a decision was reached in a meeting held on January 19, 1992 to establish a Prayer Group at Santissimo Rosario Church at UST. Tito Naning talked with Fr. Gallardo Bombase, OP, Parish Priest of Santissimo Rosario, if HJM can hold prayer meetings at the UST Parish Church. Fr. Bombase readily agreed and Santissimo Rosario – UST Prayer Group was inaugurated on February 05, 1992 with the following Interim Pastoral Team: Nanding /Maring Sanchez as Head Coordinator, Vic / Les Anatalio and Pabling / Liling Ocampo as members and Tito Naning / Tita Mila Alinea as Shepherd Couple.
1992 REFERENDUM
As scheduled, a referendum was held at the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Prayer Group, EDSA Shrine, on February 11, 1992, Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. The whole membership of HJMPG was asked if they want to establish an independent community. The result of the referendum was 90% YES and 10% NO. The Elders of PDCC who were present, accepted graciously the decision of HJMPG. Thus, on February 11, 1992, a new community was born – the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Prayer Community.
As a result of this referendum, some members of HJMPG opted to stay with PDCC while the majority joined the new community. Of the nine (9) prayer groups of PDCC, two opted to join the new community: HJM-PG and SRU-PG.
INCORPORATION OF HJM AS A PRAYER COMMUNITY
After the referendum, the Elders of the Community and the Core Group of HJM PG worked overtime to prepare the necessary documents in registering the new community. First to be decided was the official name. There were many proposals but the Core Group opted to retain HEARTS OF JESUS AND MARY as the official name of the community. The making of the logo came next. Many designs were submitted but in the end, the Core Group opted to adopt the design submitted by Dopy Doplon, a commercial artist and ME graduate. Tito Naning was tasked to draft the Constitution and By-Laws and finally on April 28, 1992, the HJM PRAYER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with the following incorporators: Msgr. Soc Villegas, Cesar Aguilar, Aladino Aguirre, Estanislao Alinea, Emmanuel Baylon, Ernesto Bautista, Victor Benavidez, Andres Clemente, Chinita Co, Orlando Delos Santos, Roberto Delos Santos, Luis Dondiego, Rafael Flores, Benjamin Gadi, Jose Garcia, Angelina Generoso, Elias Guevarra, Jr., Jose Laurel, Josefino Macalinao, Edmundo Ortega, Rufino Ramos, Antonio Rodriquez, Leonardo Samonte, Fernando Sanchez, Luis Santiago, Lazaro Santos, Roberto Santos, Nonilon So, Jovencio Torres and Joselito Vicedo.
ELECTION OF THE FIRST COMMUNITY LEADERS OF HJMPC
Immediately after the referendum, an election was held to choose the Leaders of the Community. The elected and chosen leaders of the young community were as follows:
| Spiritual Director: | Msgr. Soc Villegas | |
| Lay Advisers: | Ben / Luz Gadi and Naning / Mila Alinea | |
| Servant Leaders: | Raffy / Amy Flores | Head Servant |
| Juvy / Lulu Torres | Deputy Head Servant | |
| Dino / Neni Aguirre | Deputy Head Servant | |
| Orly/ Jessica Delos Santos | Finance | |
| Sonny / Julie Santos | Secretary | |
| Ministry Heads: | Jun / Irene Guevarra | Formation Programs and Teachings |
| Dante/ Marilyn Morados | Family Life | |
| Boy / Edna Dondiego | Marriage Encounter | |
| Cesar / Mameng Aguilar | Healing | |
| Joey / Bing Vicedo | Growth | |
| Joey / Felina Laurel | Youth | |
| Peping / Linda Macalinao | Social Action | |
| Bong/ Remy Pineda | Special Events | |
| Bobby/Elvie Santos | Bibliarasal | |
OUR LADY OF PEACE PRAYER GROUP (OLP-PG)
When the Core Group decided to adopt the name Hearts of Jesus and Mary as the official name of the community, they also decided to change the name of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Prayer Group that is holding its prayer meetings at EDSA Shrine to Our Lady of Peace Prayer Group (OLP – PG) so as not to confuse it with the newly founded community. In as much as OLP – PG is a continuation of HJM-PG, its historical foundation is November 1988.
ESTABLISHMENT OF OTHER PRAYER GROUPS
Other Prayer Groups were soon established at strategic locations in Metro Manila and nearby provinces through the grace of God and the efforts of the Lay Advisers:
Mary, Mother of God Prayer Group (MMG – PG) at Bayanan, Muntinglupa City was established in April 1992. This was followed by San Gabriel, the Annunciator Prayer Group (SGA – PG) at Araneta Avenue, Caloocan City in August 1992, Sacred Heart of Jesus Prayer Group (SHJ – PG) at Dau, Makati City in March 1993, Most Blessed Sacrament Prayer Group (MBS – PG) in Binan, Laguna in March 1995, St. Andrew, the Apostle Prayer Group ( SAA-PG) at Norzagaray, Bulacan in July 1995, Jesus of Nazareth Prayer Group (JON – PG) at Malacanang Park, Paco, Manila in March 1996, St. Joseph, the Worker Prayer Group (SJW – PG) at Don Bosco, Makati City in December 1997, San Dionisio, the Lord’s Warrior, at Paranaque City in December 2000, Holy Family-Binondo Prayer Group at Ongpin Street, Manila in May 2001, San Roque Cathedral (SRC – PG) at Mabini Street, Calooocan City in January 2005, San Jose, Manggagawa, at GMA, Cavite in February 2006 and San Vicente Ferrer in Binan, Laguna in January 2007.
PRAYER GROUPS / COMMUNITIES SERVED BY HJMPC
Other communities and prayer groups that are being served by HJMPC through the outreach programs being conducted by its different Ministries:
HJM, Cebu City; Resurrection of the Lord Parish Prayer Group (ROLP), Quezon City; San Lorenzo Ruiz (SLRPG), Quezon City; Imaculate Conception Aguinaldo Prayer Group (ICA), Quezon City; Our Father Parish Catholic Charismatic Community, Novaliches, Q.C.; Alagad ng Diyos Catholic Community, Deparo, Caloocan City; Light of Jesus / Infant Jesus Catholic Community, Tarlac; Other Parish-based communities in Batanes, Ilocos Sur, Nueva Ecija.
THE HJM RETREAT HOUSE
Due to the difficulty in bookings for the ME Weekends at the many retreat houses in Tagaytay City, the Elders and Board of Servant Leaders of HJMPC dreamed of building its own retreat house. A land in Pampanga, owned by one of the members was considered but it was not very suitable for a retreat house. Sometime in 1994, a couple, Manny / Linda Guivara attended the Marriage Encounter Weekend. Tita Linda owns lands in Tagaytay City and she offered to sell to the community four (4) parcels of her land at Barrio Guinhawa at a special price. In a BSL meeting held on October 9, 1995, the Board, under the leadership of Tito Orly / Tita Jessica delos Santos, resolved (Resolution No. 039-95) to acquire four (4) parcels of land by way of purchase for the amount of P 800,000.00 and one (1) parcel of land by way of donation, containing an aggregate area of 3,800 sq. meters more or less.
To pay for this piece of property that will be the future site of the HJM retreat house, the Board resolved that henceforth, all tithes from the covenanted members shall be used to pay for the land. In addition, the Special Events and Social Action (SESA) Ministry was tasked to conduct fund raising projects for this purpose. Meanwhile, Tito Rudy and Tita Digna Claudio were commissioned by the Board to prepare the architectural plans of the retreat house. The fund raising activities to pay for the land were held starting 1995. After the land was fully paid for, the funds collected were reserved for the construction of the retreat house.
On June 12, 2000, the BSL under the leadership of Tito Jun /Tita Irene Guevarra, as Head Servant, created a permanent committee for the construction of the HJMPC retreat house. Tito Jun/Tita Ping Garcia accepted the responsibility of building the retreat house. A big fund raising activity was held during the year and finally, on March 19, 2001, during the feast of St. Joseph, construction for the HJM retreat house began.
In the course of constructing the retreat house, more funds were needed. The responsibility of raising funds for the retreat house fell under the SESA Ministry under the leadership of Tito Pabs / Tita Norma Sosuntong. The members of HJM, inspired by the dream of having their own retreat house, responded enthusiastically and gave until it hurt. Donations from members and non-members poured in through the dogged efforts of Tito Pabs / Tita Norma Sosuntong and the SESA Ministry. By the year 2005, the retreat house was nearly finished but not usable. Funds have run out and fresh funds from the members were very slow in coming in. A member offered to lend money at a low interest. The BSL reasoned out that it would be more beneficial to the community to borrow money and finish the retreat house so that the members can use it. On a motion duly seconded and approved by the members, the BSL under the leadership of Tito Juvy /Tita Lulu Torres, as Head Servant, borrowed the sum of two million (P 2,000,000.00) pesos to finish the retreat house. All tithes gathered from the members as well as all donations and earnings from the retreat house are now being used to pay off this loan. All tithes and donations received from members and friends of HJMPC, as well as all earnings of the retreat house are now being used (1) to pay off this loan; (2) to maintain and operate the retreat house; and (3) to construct necessary improvements .
POSTSCRIPT
The HJM Retreat House is now fully operational, although not completely finished as planned. There are still much works to be done around the retreat house (Chapel, reflection areas, road pavement, parking area, landscaping, rip-rapping, annex building, etc.) . More financial, technical, material, and manual resources are needed to complete the HJM Retreat House according to its overall development plan. We believe in God’s graciousness that one day a completed HJMPC House of Prayer would become another manifestation of God’s Glory and that all HJM members could truly claim it as a gift of love from the Lord.