MID-YEAR REPORT FOR N.O.W.

Below is the midyear report of the NUGGETS OF WISDOM (N.O.W.) Senior Members Ministry, sent by NOW Ministry Head, Ricky Estrada, to Kuya Tony Panajon and the rest of the District Coordinators.

Dear Tony,

During the last meeting of the NOW sector reps 25 July 2009, it was agreed that we will provide the coordinators with a mid-year report on the accomplishments of the NOW ministry for their appreciation.

1.  AGE… IT’S JUST A NUMBER! (July 4) – This was the annual recollection for NOW members with Fr. Dennis Paez officiating. Overall feedback was very good for both morning (Happy or Grumpy. You Choose!) and afternoon (The Dark Nights of Sr. Therese) sessions. The final attendance was 67 (including 3 companions, 3 guests and excluding 3 NOW team) broken down as (actual/headcount): NDA 1/5, NDB 2/0, NDC 6/12, NDD 6/6, CDA 1/0, CDB 2/0, CDC 4/7, CDE 3/2, SDA 3/1, SDB 15/0, SDC 8/0, SDD 0/1, SDE 4/12, SDF 6/0. Total 61 members attended vs a prior headcount of only 46.

2.  Previous Community wide activities were:

• Heartscape Faith & Spirituality through Photography by Fr. Stephen Cuyos (May 16)
• A Lecture on Moral Theology by Fr. Eric Genilo (Mar 21)
• A new understanding and treatment of cancer with Dr. Shaji Kudiyat (Mar 14)
• Consultative Meeting and Valentines Fellowship (Feb 14)

3.  The next initiatives we are finalizing are the following:

• Anawim Outreach (North Sector Aug 19, Central Sep, South Oct)
• Lecture on Estate Planning by Kune Gison/SDF (tentative Sep 5)
• Fund raising “Padre de Familia” film showing (tentative Oct)
• NOW privilege/medical benefits card (tentative Nov)
• Christmas Traditions workshop (Nov)
• We continue to encourage the Districts and Sectors to develop their own initiatives based on the unique needs of their NOW senior members. The NOW ministry can help them if necessary.

4.  Based on the attendance records of the past activities, we have listed a total number of 163 active members broken down by district as follows:

• NDA: 20, NDB: 2, NDC: 25, NDD: 8
• CDA: 19, CDB: 7, CDC: 17, CDE: 6
• SDA: 4, SDB: 17, SDC: 12, SDD: 7, SDE: 5, SDF: 14

Based on this number, only 37% attended the annual recollection notwithstanding live announcements during the Covenanted Members Meeting, Sector Assemblies and District Gatherings, text follow-ups from district reps and email NOW bulletins to those members listed, their coordinators and senior women leaders.

We are still trying to get a copy of the latest database of members and their birthdates to find out how many and who are the NOW members who have not yet attended any of the sessions.

If possible, we would appreciate some assistance from the District Coordinators to encourage the inactive members to join the future sessions planned for them. The NOW district reps have been trying their best but could use some help.

5.  May we also request the assistance of the Sector and District Coordinators to reconfirm the appointment of the NOW Sector and District Reps. Some of them have not been able to attend our monthly team meetings and Community activities due to conflicts with their livelihood schedules, poor health and other responsibilities. The current reps are as follows:

• North Sector & NDA: Vic Vianzon, NDB: Fritz Supe, NDC: Gil Abejo, NDD: Pepe Cando
• Central Sector & CDC: Ding Abellera, CDA: Leony Castillo, CDB: Claro Pable, CDE: Marilou de Ocampo
• South Sector: Del Campos, SDA: Doming Aguilar, SDB: Hermy Rodil, SDC: Jorge Santamaria, SDD: Pert Molato, SDE: Ronnie Villardo, SDF: Herbie Rosales. 

Thank you for your continued support of the NOW Ministry.

Ricky