I was one of the 13 participants of Father Marcel ‘s Leadership training last April 30, 2022 at Gouda.
He immediately mentioned that a Leader’s actions or role does not necessarily comes from official authority unlike that of a manager, the latter’s role comes from the official authority given to him/her by the organization’s big bosses.
A leader is not necessarily a salary based role while a manager is. A leader is an influencer, motivator, mentor , inspires , empowers the team, guides and directs everyone to a common goal. A manager follows the set of responsibilities given to him/her and will want the team to accomplished a task within the set of guidelines and deadlines established by the organization.
Further, a good leader is giving the time and effort because he/she is committed to the team. Someone who is passionate and charismatic in dealing with people.
With that said, I had a flashback when I was in high school and college days. I remember I was always chosen to be the leader perhaps because no one wanted to take the responsibility or maybe they saw that I can lead. But now I realized, I was not a good leader because when we were tasked for example, in our science subject, to bring materials for an activity, I would assigned my team what he or she will bring but I will bring every materials needed without my team’s knowledge. I was just afraid , they will not bring any material and we will get low grades!!! I took all the responsibility. There was no ‘WE’ but only ‘I’. It was indeed a good realization .
Father Marcel also made us open our minds and hearts that Leadership in Church is not easy. Take an example of Jesus, He emphasized the importance of being discerning with regard to others without seeking to control them. He was not only a servant-leader ( John 13:1-7) but also a good shepherd ( John 10:14) . He was also a steward as mentioned in Luke 22:27.
Another example of a good leader was Nelson Mandela , a former President of South-Africa, who showed heroism through his selfless and dedicated acts, by fighting to bring liberty and justice for all his people and risking his life for the equality of all.
Besides the fruitful discussions we had , we participated also on a self -reflection activities based on the questionnaires about Behaviour as a leader, Exercise on Personal Effectiveness for Leaders and Analysis of behaviour in the Leadership Team and Group Dynamics.
Father Marcel ended the training with a quote by Simon Sinek , “ The role of a leader is not to come up with all the great ideas but to create an environment in which great ideas can happen.”
Participants were Norie Dalisay, Marissa van der Graaf, Nova Villaver, Elpi Gutierrez, Teunis Blanken, Hans Oostenwijk, Jenny Luna, Tessa van As, Ronald Kaesteun , Joylyn Subtenente, Rosavilla Hoogendoorn, Gene Boon , Luz van de Starre, Maria Lovella vd Weiden and the speaker Father Marcel Uzoigwe, CSSp.
We zijn erg dankbaar voor deze educatieve en informatieve training. De boodschap was duidelijk, een goede leider kan leren tijdens het proces. Dank u pater Marcel voor de wijsheid, ervaring en presentatie. We hebben veel geleerd en hopen dat we het kunnen toepassen tijdens ons vrijwilligerswerk in de kerk voor de verbetering van het team, de organisatie & de gemeenschap. We hopen ook op een vervolgsessie van de training voor dit jaar. God zegen ons!
Saturday, March 26,2022 the Filipino Community of Gouda organized a Holy Retreat event. It was a well attended event and participants were able to have a reflection , meditation about themselves.
The day started with Fr. Callistus Offor with a bible phrase “DO NOT BE AFRAID FOR I AM WITH YOU” Isaiah 41:10 . Followed by questions:
What is a retreat? Why am I here? Why did I decide to come?
Among the numerous reasons to attend the retreat are.
We need rest, we need time to express or share our feelings, we need some moment to reflect. Moments to look at ourselves if we have grown. Need to be open to changing our life and need prayer.
The main topic of the event was about “FEAR”
What is Fear? and How do we deal with fear in our daily lives?
Fear, something can do a lot of damage in our daily lives. Something we are afraid of. Has a lot of negative impacts: Social life, Physical life, Personal life, Spiritual life. It steals our time , values, status and can destroy peace of mind, happiness, health and sanity.
Everyone was given a chance to share what kind of fear they have encountered in life. Participants were divided into 3 groups and each group was able to share and discuss it. And it comes with a discussion that mostly has a fear of being alone in life, the fear of aiming high because of lack of confidence, lack of focus, fear of being rejected, fear of being neglected, fear of what will happen if time will come of dying and so on.
Fr. Callistus discussed the “Strategies of Fear”
A short story was shared and came out with a conclusion that If you feel you are a victim don’t be afraid stand up and fight back know what you are capable of. Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of.
Each of us must confront our own fears, and must come face to face with them. How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives. To experience adventure or to be limited by the fear of it. Develop self permission, don’t put yourself down. There is power in prayer, there is power in the words of God.
Use your time, use your talent and that you can live your own life.
The day ended that everyone feel inspired ,happy and feel blessed.
The Parable of the Fruit -bearing tree: What does it mean to be a fruitful Christian?
When Jesus mentioned of this Parable in Luke 6: 39-45 . He was telling us that God sees the heart . We may put on a great show of words and actions but it is what is in our heart that is so visible to God. Jesus asked us why do we observe the splinter in our brother’s/sister’s eye and never notice the plank in our own? Jesus said, “ Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your yes first and then you will see clearly enough to take out the splinter that is in your brother’s/ sister’s eye “.
In these modern world, we try to focus on the faults of others , no matter how true, to take the focus off our own.
Then Jesus proceeded to mention that “there is no sound tree that produces rotten fruit, nor a rotten tree that produces sound fruit. For every tree can be told by its own fruit. Figs are not taken from thorns, nor gather grapes from brambles. A good man produces goodness from the good of his heart ; an evil man produces evil out of his store of evil. Each man’s words flow out what fills his heart. “
Father Emmanuel made us realized that a fruitful Christian means that there must be genuine love, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and gentleness in our hearts that reflects our actions to others. But only when we first acknowledge our own faults and be a better person then our actions will bear good outcome for our children, family ,friends and to the community.
He even reminded us of the on-going conflict between Russia and Ukraine . This is the time to be a fruitful Christian, to bear good fruits of good deeds and including them in our prayers for the conflict to end.
After the Mass, our Priest requested couples to come forward. He blessed and prayed for their successful Marriage and Family life. Father Cyril also requested the single ladies whose partners are no longer with us and the ladies who are still looking for a lifetime partner.
The happy, blessed couples of the FCC-Gouda Community
On December 26, 2021, the Filipino Catholic Community in Gouda (FCC-Gouda) and Surroundings held its Tombola fundraising event after the mass. Thanks to the sponsors who donated prizes and the community members and supporters who bought raffle tickets, the community has all together raised a total of €496 (net).
The FCC-Gouda Board would like to thank the following for your generosity, kindness and support. May God bless you all the more!
SPONSORS:
Ribex International Martin and Mary-Jane Streefland Amor Lagade Irene Hameete Marylynn van Dijk Jenny Luna Elpi Aziatische Kledingreparatie.
TOMBOLA COORDINATOR:
Irene Hameete
BEST TOMBOLA SELLER OF THIS YEAR:
Marivic Adema
And to EVERYONE who supported and bought raffle tickets, our HEARTFELT THANK YOU! With each donation we receive, we deeply appreciate your support.
THE LUCKY WINNERS
First Prize: Lucy & Kees van Ginkel 2nd Prize : Lucy & Kees van Ginkel 3rd Prize: Luz van Starre Consolation Prizes: Jojo van Oeveren Tony Farma Teun Blanken Michelle Streefland
Once again, thank you ALL for making a difference through your help and generosity!
The 28th of February 2021 marked the official first Sunday mass held by the Filipino Catholic Community of Gouda (FCC-Gouda) & Surroundings at the H-Josephkerk as the community has now moved to this new location at Aalberseplein 2 in Gouda. To also officially bid farewell to the community’s old location, last month’s 4th Sunday service was held at the O.L.V. Hemelvaartkerk, which actually served not only as a venue for church services but also as a home for FCC-Gouda in the past 23 years. Marking this transition from old to new, this month’s eucharistic celebration also highlighted the celebration of married couples, who gladly received prayers for blessings of joy, strength, empowerment and love from the community.
Led by Fr. Marcel Uzoigwe, the following prayer and blessings were bestowed not only upon the couples who were present that day but also to all couples watching from home as well as all couples from the Filipino Community of Gouda & Surroundings, the Parish and all those who worship at the H-Josephkerk.
“Dear God, we are praying for all couples in this community and also all couples in this parish—the Dutch community and all who worship here. Father, we ask you who planted the love in them and right from the beginning to refresh and renew their love for one another. Give them the heart to love and to forgive. Give them the grace to forgive. Strengthen them, empower them and be with them in their times of pain. Be with them in their times of confusion. It is your great will that they continually have fulfilling love relationships. Don’t abandon them and don’t leave them. Come into their lives. Renew, bless, uplift, strengthen, and empower them. Let their love for one another grow everyday and let them be a sacrament of your presence who is love Himself. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!”
As the song entitled “Through the Years” is being played as background music, each married couple received a rose and a nicely crafted token made with love by Jenny Luna and all courtesy of the FCC-Gouda administration.
The FCC-Gouda Sunday services continue every 4th Sunday of the month with strict compliance with the COVID-19 regulations. The number of people allowed to attend masses in person is restricted to 30 people, but those who stay at home can follow the mass on live streaming. You can find the recording of this month’s celebration HERE.
The Filipino Catholic Community of Gouda and its Surroundings (FCC-Gouda) turned over a new leaf in February, 2021, by having their monthly 4th Sunday mass in the H.- Josephkerk in Gouda. The transfer from the OLV Hemelvaartkerk to the much bigger H.-Josephkerk is marked by the enthusiasm of volunteers to make the Mass Service more meaningful for the whole community.
Elpidia Gutierrez, Irene Hameete, Marlyn Rontal, Rena van Kleunen and Jenny Luna volunteered to train as flexible sexton ( koster) and acolyte. Their training was guided by no less than Fr. Dick van Klaveren, (Sint Jan de Doper Parish Priest) and Ms. José Ligthart. The volunteers spent two Saturdays to get acquainted with the Do’s and Don’ts of the church protocols. They also learned how to properly serve and assist the priest during the mass. The orientation, lessons and actual practices and procedures of being Kosters and Acolytes were eagerly met by both parties. Meanwhile, Mr. Hans Oosterwijk spent time learning the mechanics of doing Live Broadcast under the tutelage of Mr. Cees Ligthart.
FCC Gouda volunteers with Ms. José Ligthart
FCC Gouda volunteers with Fr. Dick van Klaveren
On February 28, 2021, the new Kosters/Acolytes were presented and inducted during the 4th Sunday mass by the FCC Gouda Chaplain, Marcel Uzoigwe, CSSp. They took an oath to acknowledge themselves as members of the Catholic Church, living according to the Catholic profession of faith, to devote themselves with love and peace to the service of God in the community, to render service for worthy celebration of the Holy Eucharist, and to do all the responsibilities and tasks where they are chosen for to do.
Oath Taking of new acolytes by Fr, Marcel Uzoigwe, CSSp with Ms. José Ligthart. L-R: José Ligthart, Rena van Kleunen, Jenny Luna, Elpidia Gutierrez, Irene Hameete. Marlyn Rontal is also one of the newly trained acolytes but not on the photo.
Fr. Marcel Uzoigwe thanked all volunteers, blessed and praised them for answering and accepting the call of God to serve the community. He challenged them to offer their best to the Lord, to the Filipino Community and all the church communities which may require their services. Finally, he asked them to live a life in Christ and make Him known to all through witness, service and work.
