The First National Assembly of Filipino Priests, USA, November 8-11, 2011, Westin Los Angeles Hotel, Los Angeles, CA

October 4, 2011, Los Angeles, California. In conjunction with the 10th Anniversary of the USCCB Pastoral Statement, “Asian and Pacific Presence: Harmony in Faith” and in solidarity with other Asian and Pacific Catholic communities in the United States, the first ever National Assembly of Filipino Priests, U.S.A. will be held on November 8-11, 2011 at the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel in Los Angeles, California.  The assembly aims 1) to promote unity, support, and growth among Filipino priests ministering with their cultural gifts and 2) to serve as a forum for collaboration and effective pastoral leadership development.

To date, there are approximately 900 Filipino Catholic priests serving in different capacities in the Roman Catholic Church in the U.S.A. They serve in parishes, schools, seminaries, chaplaincies, chancery offices, and national institutions in the 50 states and some US territories.

The national assembly will hold dialogue sessions and workshops for continuing education, spiritual growth and pastoral enrichment. Some topics are Intercultural Competencies for Mission; The Spirituality of the Filipino Priest; The Priest’s Role in The Public Arena; Mens Sana in Corpore Sano: Priest and Wellness; Lay Ministry: Joys and Challenges; and Priestly Fraternity and Ministry. The workshops will be facilitated by renowned speakers and presenters in various fields in the Church’s ministry, as well as respected Church leaders like His Eminence, Roger Cardinal Mahony, D.D., Archbishop Emeritus of Los Angeles; Most Rev. Randolph Calvo, D.D., Bishop of Reno and Chair of USCCB Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Island Affairs; Most Rev. Gerald Kicanas, D.D., Bishop of Tucson; Most Rev. Luis Antonio Tagle, D.D., Bishop of Imus, Cavite, Philippines; Most Rev. Robert McElroy, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco; and Most Rev. Oscar A. Solis, D.D. Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles and Episcopal Liaison to the Filipino Priests in the U.S.

The assembly will also hold a special Concelebrated Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. The Mass is open to the public. There will also be a Filipino Priests Concert and a Barrio Fiesta on the evening of November 10th at 7:30 P.M. at the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel Grand Ballroom.  For tickets to the concert and the Barrio Fiesta dinner, please contact Marilyn Walberg at (818) 640-9038.   For more information about the First National Assembly of Filipino Priests, USA and to give donation, please go to www.filipinopriestsusa.org or contact the Very Rev. Vic Dela Cruz at (985) 876-6904 or NAFP.USA@gmail.com.