By Lillian Lagapa Ulgaran | Special to the Herald

All the delegates at the 57th annual convention of the Diocesan Congress of Filipino Catholic Clubs, Nov. 9-11, at the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel on the Big Island had a momentous chilling feeling when Les Estrella poured out his life’s story of his perilous struggle with drugs.

The diocesan coordinator of addiction recovery gave his presentation on Nov. 10. A poignant revelation! Today, Estrella is forever “loving and serving the Lord.”

His confession was confirmed by his daughter’s testimony. The lesson learned: No matter how low in the gutter a person may fall, if he turns his faith and hope to the Lord, God will pull him back into his loving fold.

The second workshop presenter opened the delegates’ eyes to the power of the church’s social ministry. Carol Ignacio, the director of the diocesan Office for Social Ministry, said, “Don’t call a parish Catholic if there is no social ministry.”

It means putting into action the commitment to serve others, she said, offering vivid examples to back up her conviction.

This was Kona’s first experience in hosting a DCFCC convention and the whole symposium was fabulously presented. Some delegates agreed that this was the first conference to constantly rock the audience with laughter thanks to the amusing antics of emcee attorney Rose Baustista, Father Joven Junio, Msgr. Edgar Brillantes, Father Napoleon Andres and DCFCC president Donna Urban-Higuchi.

“Pinoy jokes,” clean and hilarious, were the trend of the conference.

Participants were also privileged to watch the annual parade of Kona coffee growers and they scrambled for the samples being thrown out.

St. Elizabeth FCC to install officers The newly elected 2008-2009 officers of St. Elizabeth Parish Filipino Catholic Club in Aiea will be installed Dec. 9 at the 8 a.m. Mass. They are president Lourdes Ganir, 1st vice-president Margarita Dayao, 2nd vice-president Lori Leones, recording secretary Merlinda M. Oania, corresponding secretary Florentina P. Ramos and treasurer Estrelita Alconcel. The inauguration will take place during the St. Elizabeth Christmas party at 7 p.m. on Dec. 15 in the church hall.

The procession of the Blessed Mother’s statue around the grounds of the hotel was accompanied by a unique variation of the mysteries of the rosary.

Cultural presentations by each island council stirred up nostalgic memories of the Philippines. The dancers were exceptionally graceful during the banquet night.

Father Junio, the diocesan congress’s spiritual director, was the keynote speaker. He expounded on the convention theme, “To Love and Serve the Lord.”

With the associate spiritual director, Maryknoll Sister Rosalinda Barrozo, and executive secretary Estrella Estillore, Father Junio announced the Father Ernest Claes awardees: Allan Villaflor from Kauai; Donna Urban-Higuchi from Kona, and Lillian Lagapa Ulgaran from Oahu.

Ulgaran also received the Msgr. Osmundo Calip Founder’s Award, the highest honor presented to an FCC member.

The energetic convention chairperson Merlyn Quintos and her dynamic steering committee headed by Urban-Higuchi accomplished a successful conference. Grace Sadumiano in her acknowledgement remarks said it all — hard work and fantastic camaraderie pulled it off.

The convention ended Sunday, Nov. 11 with the change of gavel to Maui’s president Doris Salibay. The 58th convention will be on Maui during the Veterans Day weekend.