Photo courtesy of the DCFCC

The 2007 officers and standing committee chairpersons of the Diocesan Congress of Filipino Catholic Clubs pose for a photo during their third quarterly administrative board meeting held recently at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Papaikou on the Big Island.

This year’s theme is “Love and Serve the Lord.”

Father Peter Dumag, the diocesan director of vocations, will be the Friday night dinner guest speaker. He will talk about vocation awareness. Originally ordained for the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia in the Philippines, Father Dumag came to Hawaii in 2001 to assist in Hawaii parishes. He joined the Diocese of Honolulu this past June.

Speaking on Saturday is Hilo resident Les Estrella, the program director for Ponahawaiola Community Reintegration Program, the diocesan coordinator for Addiction Recovery Ministry and the founder of Faith Against Drugs (FAD). His topic will be “Faith, Prayer and Addiction.” Estrella will be joined by Brandy Dobson and Raina Santos in sharing their personal experiences with drug addiction.

Also speaking on Saturday is Carol Ignacio, the executive director for the diocesan Office for Social Ministry. Her office helps Hawaii’s 66 parishes develop and support for their social services and social justice efforts. On the Big Island, the office runs a food bank, homeless shelters, and mobile outreach programs which deliver dental and other services to the uninsured and homeless populations. Her topic is “Love and Serve One Another.”

The diocesan congress consists of the island councils of Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island.

The convention will coincide with the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, providing delegates a cultural experience on top of spiritual enrichment. Among the pillars of the coffee industry are the hardworking Filipino coffee farmers who mostly belong to Catholic parishes in Kona.