Since the early 1970s the Redemptorists
in the Southern Philippines have been blessed by the active participation
of full time lay cooperators in the various Redemptorist apostolates such
as the missions and parishes.
There are at present 32 lay missioners
who are members of the Redemptorist mission teams. There are 26 lay cooperators
working in the various Redemptorist parishes. There are also 12 who are
involved in formation.
The Redemptorist Lay Cooperators Association
(RELCA) is the association that brings together the lay people who are
actively and directly involved in the apostolates and in the formation
ministry. The RELCA celebrates int 25th anniversary this year (2002). It
has established it own structure and has produced its Handbook. The Lay
Secretariat (LS) serves as the "think-tank" of the association and works
closely with the Apostolic Secretariat (AS). One lay cooperator sits as
member of the AS.
Each apostolic unit is responsible for
the training of their lay cooperators. The Alphonsian Lay Formation
Institute (ALFI) provides basic formation to new recruits.
The lay cooperators share in the life,
mission, charism and spirituality of the Redemptorist congregation while
at the same time nurturing their unique and distinct spirituality as lay
people.
A lay missioner conducting a seminar
Some of the lay cooperators with a Redemptorist