Feeling nostalgic on the growth of our OSG (Open in Spirit to God) / BLD (Bukas Loob sa Diyos in Filipino) Prayer Group, on how we started and where we are now at St, John the Baptist Church in El Cerrito, CA
To those of you who are inquiring how we started – here’s a sharing of a brief story of our prayer group at St. John the Baptist Church in El Cerrito, CA.
On July 2012, we formed our Charismatic Ministry at St. John by the request of our pastor to bring more charism in the church. October 6, 2012, we had our first Praise and Worship led by the Mission Apostolate coordinators, Efren & Beng Salcedo at St. John the Baptist Church, with our Charismatic Ministry choir more in numbers than the people in the Congregation. Fr. Thuong Nguyen (our pastor) and the charismatic members present were both smiling and all echoed our being hopeful that in God’s time, attendance will grow. We never got disappointed but remained always hopeful and just continued our work and mission — to bring people closer to God and for them to have a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit filling their hearts.
On December 2015, we received a circular acknowledgement from Executive Council of Servant Leaders (ECSL) of BLD Manila acknowledging our Charismatic Ministry as a BLD Prayer Group. We again patiently waited, and waited, prayed and prayed some more for the ministry to grow.
November 2019, we had our Marriage Encounter #1 with 3 couple candidates, and on February 28-March 1, 2020, we had our LSS #1 with 25 lambs/candidates.
We thank each and everyone of you who were there with us on Day 1 up to this very day. You know who you are and we believe that your faithfulness is one of the great foundation of our growing community. We will continue to pray for all of you, that you’ll remain faithful to God’s calling in building communities. We also thank our brothers and sisters of our parent district, BLD San Francisco – the members and District Council of Stewards — for all their love and support to our OSG/BLD El Cerrito Prayer Group. We love you all!
Proverbs 16: 1,3: “Plans are made in human hearts but from the Lord comes the tongue’s response. Entrust your works to the Lord and your plans will succeed…”
We now present to you the graduates of LSS#1 of our patiently growing OSG Community at El Cerrito, CA and looking for more Life in the Spirit Seminars, Encounters (Youth, Singles, Solo Parent and Marriage) and teachings in the years ahead! To GOD ONLY BE THE GLORY!
8 pm Zoom Rosary
After the LSS in February 28 to March 1, 2020, Covid struck. The whole world was locked down and everyone stayed in their homes. That’s when we started the ZOOM Rosary prayer group, in May 2020. We prayed the Rosary every night to asked for Mama Mary’s intercession for strength in faith and hope in the Lord in those very uncertain times.
ZOOM Holy Rosary Group
Through the years, praying with the Holy Rosary Prayer Warriors every night has been a way of life. It made us feel the presence of Jesus through Mother Mary and how great our God is! It had done wonders to each and every participant in a special way, and specially to those whom we are praying for. Up to this day, the rosary is ongoing and starts at 8pm to 9pm daily. This year in May, we will be celebrating 5 years of praying the Holy Rosary every night.
As we approach our centennial the group is still going well. The mix of people has changed. Some ole timers, some newbies
Rosary group in April 2025
Thank you Holy Rosary Prayer Warriors for your faithfulness and support!
ZOOM Holy Rosary Group
Holy Rosary Group First Anniversary Mass at St. John the Baptist Grounds – May 2021