The two day Alpha Summer Conference was held last May 13 to 15 at Mt. Carmel Parish, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City. This 3 day conference was sponsored by the Basic Ecclesial Community, Ad-Intra Minstries, Alpha Course Phillippine Foundation Inc., Tukod Voulnteers Network, and S&L Training Resource.
        The purpose of which is to  present the framework for BEC formation, the basics of  ecclesial community and evangelization, the current practices of BEC, and presentation by Tukod volunteers network a model using Alpha Course as one of the tools to answer the framework and direction of Archbp. Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J. D.D. for the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro.  

         The speakers who shared in the conference were: Archbp Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, D.D.  on the framework that also touched on the new way of being church and  church of the poor; Fr. Roy Barros (Archdiocesan BEC Coordinator) presented the BEC in a very practical and simple approach based from Vatican II; Fr. Boy Salvador, Jr. (Director, CLEMOACO Ministries) on evangelization and community building that challenged the previous thought on the subject; Fr. Perseus Cabunoc (Director, Ad-Intra Minstries) the current BEC practices in relation to the Canon Law.  

         On the tool for BEC formation, the following  Tukod Alpha volunteers shared the Alpha Course and community building using the Tukod’s ABC approach to parish renewal (see page 7): Benie A. Sy, using Alpha as BEC initiation course with the Alpha principles & practicalities; Elvin  Oliveros, using Alpha effectively at the parish; Angelo Rodriguez, equipping the team to run Alpha Course; Rene Pacana, on how to lead the prayer meeting in a BEC cell group; and Bebs Camaddo, on how to conduct a  bible sharing in a BEC meeting.

         The variety Alpha Courses as option to BEC formation that were currently used by some sectoral groups,  were also presented by: Siony Sumaoy, Alpha Course in the workplace; Oca Japitana, Alpha for the Elderly; Brgy Chair Joshua James Frias, on the Youth and Campus Alpha; and Rosarita Sy, on practical course for married couple, the Marriage Course.     

        At the end of each talk, an open forum was provided to clarify the presentation and bring out some actual issues in the parishes. This part of the conference was appreciated by the conference paricipants as shown in the pie chart below.

         Aside from the resource speakers, the conference was blessed by the young facilitators that conducted the lively ice-breakers and games and the continued songs and powerful worship led by “The River Flows Band”, an evangelistic band organized for Tukod for the youth. 

       The conference was culminated with the Sacrament of Reconciliation and  the Eucharistic Celebration.    These are some testimonies from the conference guests:            

        “I am a member of the Couples for Christ. I am very much thankful of today’s healing & empowerment of the Holy Spirit because I am   healed of    my right arm. I was able to raise it high and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. I thanked   Jesus for being so alive in my life today. Praise be to God.” -  Winston  

         “Before I attended the Alpha Youth Campus, my life is unclear and no direction. As a happy go lucky kind of individual, living in sin, my faith and belief in God was shallow but after  the course, my faith in God deepens and I have a personal relationship with Him now. As to the conference, it taught me about involvement in the parish renewal thru BEC and I asked God’s forgiveness of my shortcomings. During the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, I   was forgiven and felt the joy of resting in Him alone. Without knowing, I was already slain. – Nova  

          “I served the Households of Christ since 1992 but this is the first time I am filled with the Holy Spirit. I felt light, mixed of warm & cold feeling, feel down the floor & wanted to stand up but my whole body was weak. The Lord touched me that time and one cannot fathom God’s ways, mercy and forgiveness.” – Boy  W.  