Nurturing the New Community

“In swaddling clothes and with constant care I was nurtured” Wis 7:4.

Seventeen years ago, our Newark community became the first BLD district in the US. The mother community in Manila was 8500 miles away. BLD Toronto - its older sister- was 340 miles away. Being so far away from the rest of the BLD family, how was this new community cared for and nurtured?

“When Israel was a child I loved him… I fostered them like one who raises an infant to his cheeks” Hos 11:1, 4. The Lord loved His precious children and made sure that they were fed with pure spiritual milk, so that through it, they may grow into maturity and fruitfulness. He fed and tended them through the “angels” He sent their way.

Who would teach the community? We were first taught by the witnessing of the first servants who formed the community: the humility and leadership of Andy & Belle Escano; the fellowship and praise of Jay & Salou Sobrepena; the passion for the Word and servanthood of Roger & Irma Santiago. When Andy & Belle left for Bahrain, the Lord sent us Donnie & Ningning de Vera from Hongkong- they with their gifts of worship and community-building.

In our first year, the Lord sent us Fr. Jun Inocencio, a Salesian priest who was then taking his post-doctoral studies in Harvard. Fr. Jun would take the train on Fridays to give us a weekend of teachings – from 10am to 10pm daily- at the home of one of our members. He would then return by train to Boston on Monday morning. Fr. Jun ministered to the first fruits of the community for more than a year.

Early in the life of the community, the Lord made a way for BLD's head servant leader, Sonny & Bai de los Reyes, to be appointed to the Habitat International board of directors. This allowed Sonny to travel to the US for Habitat board meetings about 4 times per year. Before or after these meetings, Sonny would fly to Newark to teach and mentor the leaders and members of the community. This blessing lasted for many years. The Lord used Sonny to teach our first generation of leaders on community building, discipleship and servanthood. He also mentored our first crop of teachers and ministry coordinators. We were visited frequently by Epie Ocampo and Godie Eala- gifted teachers from BLD Manila- who gave us the Agony & Washing retreats, the Encounters with Jesus modules, and many other teachings.

Who would pastor the community? The Lord sent us many shepherds in the persons of priests like Fr. Pascual Adorable- the founding spiritual director of BLD, Fr. Larry Tan- who linked the three couples who started the Newark community, Fr. Sancho Sison - who served in many of our initial encounters and LSS, Fr. Pete Sevilla –who inspired us with his holiness and simple heart, and Fr. Boie Agustin- whose humor and common touch appealed to the young and old alike. And who can forget Eliong & Leah Sison, full time servants of the Lord, whose gifts of counseling & healing were used by the Lord to minister to dozens of couples, including ourselves?

Within the archdiocese, the Lord made available to us His caring shepherds in the persons of Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, Msgr. Slinger and Fr. Kwiatkowski. They welcomed BLD to the Archdiocese and recommended us to other dioceses where the Lord directed us to start new communities. Msgr. Gunther- pastor of the St. Joseph’s Parish, West Orange- opened his doors to us when we needed a new worship venue.

In 1995, the Lord brought to our lives the then pastor of St. Antoninus Parish in Newark- Fr. Paul Lehman. Our relationship with Fr. Paul started with the use of his parish whenever we needed a venue for our worships, LSS and teachings. In 1996, the Lord cemented our relationship with Fr. Paul when Archbishop McCarrick appointedd him as our district spiritual director. Since then, Fr. Paul has become our spiritual father, our pastor, our counselor, our advocate and our defender. Now retired as pastor of St. Antoninus, Fr. Paul continues to serve our community with the vigor and enthusiasm of a young priest. Other BLD districts in North America have similarly been blessed by his service and counsel.

Through Fr. Paul, the Lord brought us to Msgr. Paul Schetelick- who gave the community a home at the Blessed Sacrament Parish after it left CYO in Kearney. Msgr. Paul schooled us in the apostolate to the poor when we started the Deanery 20 outreach to 13 inner city parishes of Newark. He continues to serve the community in retreats and counseling meetings despite his hectic parish duties. Fr. Bill Halbing, who replaced Fr. Paul as pastor of St. Antonius, has similarly shared his many charismatic gifts, particularly preaching and teaching, with the community.

It is not possible for us to cite all of the other “angels” whom the Lord sent to care for our community throughout these past 17 years. We do proclaim that through these men and women, we heard and received Lord’s glad tidings, we grew and are being transformed in His love and mercy.

May You bless these vessels of Your love with abundant life, O Lord Jesus!

May this community continue to be overwhelmed with Your grace, Father God!

We praise and thank You forever, O Holy Spirit!

“When you hearken to the voice of the LORD, your God, all these blessings will come upon you and overwhelm you…” Dt 28:2