"It was in Antioch
that the disciples were first called Christians." - Acts 11:26 |
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| ANTIOCH
STO. ROSARIO: The Birth of a New Christian Community |
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| Many people
ask, what Antioch Sto. Rosario is all about. To give you an idea about it, we have
prepared this brief history. In Acts of the Apostles Chapter 11 Verse 26, it is said that "It was at Antioch that the disciples where first called Christian." It is in this verse were the name Antioch Sto. Rosario derived. "Antioch" because we are trying to experience the modern day version of the Antioch community which became a model for Christian living in the early church, and,"Sto. Rosario," adapted from the name of our patron saint"Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary." Antioch program was introduced at the University of Notre Dame at South Bend, Indiana in the early 1960's. It was developed in a small sub-urban parish in the Arch Diocese of New York. Hundreds of teenagers have belonged to the New Antioch Community in Sacred Heart Parish Dobbs Ferry, New York since it began in 1979. The Philippines is no exception from it. In fact, Antioch had also magnified Cavite through Antioch del Pilar in Imus. Right there five youth from Amaya attended a youth formation seminar called "Antioch Weekend," April 22-24, 1994. The five youth were Amer Hernandez, Romar Clavero, Ronald Ledesma, Aireen Lisama, and Rowena Clavero. They became the "seeds" from which with the help of Father Ruel Castaneda, (Parish Priest of Amaya-1994) and Dohn Corre (Adult Leader, Antioch del Pilar) had set "new branches" by holding the Antioch Weekend on the same year, May 13-15 in Postema Retreat Center (First Batch); Antioch Sto. Rosario was Born.
The community was then composed of thirty-three (33) youth members. Four of thememerged as team leaders namely Amer Hernandez and Aireen Lisama (Team A) while Ronald Ledesma and Christine Talactac (Team B). Ultimate responsibility for the direction of the New Antioch Program and community is shared and completed by Mr. and Mrs. Angelito Hernandez (Antioch Couple) serving as parents of the community and Fr. Ruel Castaneda (Spiritual Director) offering spiritual advices and pastoral counseling. |
The second Antioch Weekend was held December 28-30, 1994 through the leadership
of these four elected leaders. Twenty (20) youth from Amaya and five (5) seeds from Mendez
participated in the formation seminar.
It was February 1995 when team leadership was turned over to Paul Sorino and Regina dela Cruz (Team A) together with Ronwell Abad and (+)Rowena Clavero (Team B). It was also turning point to Fr. Mel Sandoval to become the Spiritual Director after Fr. Raul Castaneda became the parish priest of St. Augustine Church in Mendez, Cavite. The third batch of Antioch Sto. Rosario was held dated October 27-29, 1995. Youths from barrio's under Holy Rosary Parish also joined the seminar. And an additional thirty (30) teenagers were welcomed in the Antioch Family.
Team leadership was turned over to Romar Clavero and Elani Pasco (Team A) Hubert Prudente and Romina Clavero (Team B) on January 1996. The four elected team leaders are presently occupying their term and are responsible for Antioch Sport fest, Bingo Bonanza (A fund-raising project), Karakol Fever, Gazette Production and forthcoming "Anti-Drug Addiction Campaign". Today, the Antioch Family is composed of 83 members. Aireen C. Lisama | |
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