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Twelfth Year (1995-1996) |
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On August 27, 1995, an estimated four thousand people attended the 4th Anniversary of the Singapore Chapter of the Foundation held at the Blessed Sacrament Church in 1 Commonwealth Drive. Reverend Fr. Philip Kolandaisamy of Johor, Malaysia, together with Rev. Fr. Frank Pidgeon, officiated the Eucharistic celebration. Singapore employers and guests from Malaysia and Thailand joined its |
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members and followers as they sang and danced in praise and worship to the Lord. The church, including its aisles and choir loft, was jam-packed. Everyone felt the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as Bro. Mike delivered his healing message. The laughter of the audience echoed through the walls of the church which was a clear manifestation of God's living power. From September 30-October 1, some two hundred thousand members and followers of the Foundation, weathered typhoon Mameng's onslaught that fell in torrents over the PEA Grounds in Pasay City during the Weekly Family Appointment with El Shaddai, threatening to disrupt the rally. Lightning and thunder came in succession as the voices of the emcees, lectors, and choir members on-stage weakly filtered through the microphones which had already been turned full blast. Umbrellas were rendered useless against the strong winds and heavy downpour which left everyone soaking wet and shivering. Despite this, the attendees were determined to hear Bro. Mike speak for the first time, after he met an accident on Sept. 16 wherein his arm was fractured during his routine jogging at Puerto Azul. It had been two weeks of continuous intercessory prayers for his recovery, especially before his bone surgery on Sept. 21. It was indeed a miracle, for ten days after, the servant-leader was able to attend the Weekly Family Appointment with El Shaddai. It was around 4:00 a.m. when Bro. Mike, with his arm still in cast and sling, delivered the healing message amidst the rampaging storm. On October 7, at the formal launching of the "Piso Para sa Pasig Fund Raising Campaign" at the Rizal Park Orchidarium spearheaded by First Lady, Mrs. Amelita Ramos, the Foundation through Bro. Mike Z. Velarde expressed his support for the PPP project, a special campaign to bring back life to the Pasig River. The Hong Kong Stadium, a billion-dollar, state-of-the-art sports and entertainment complex situated in Wanchai, became the venue of the 7th Anniversary of the Foundation's Hong Kong Chapter held on November 22. An estimated 30,000 attendees eagerly participated in the Eucharistic Celebration with Bishop Bacani as the main celebrant; and Rev. Fathers Roman Carter and Nevio Vigano, spiritual directors of the Hong Kong Chapter, as concelebrants. Brother Mike once more shared the Good News of the Lord through his healing message. In between his talk, he gave examples of living testimonies of the miracles that God performed in the lives of our brothers and sisters. The whole assembly was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit as Bro. Mike's message closed with a healing prayer. Tears of joy and repentance welled from the eyes of those who have been touched by God's Holy Presence. The attendees, composed of Filipinos, Hong Kong nationals, and foreigners, went home joyfully renewed and united in the Spirit of the Lord. Amidst the yuletide spirit and cheer, 110 couples who had been living together as common-law husbands and wives finally tied the knot during the Christmas Family Reunion with El Shaddai held at the PEA Grounds in Pasay City, from December 23-24, 1995. Close to three million people stood witness to the blessed event as Bishop Bacani officiated the mass wedding ceremony assisted by other priests. Romance pervaded the air, bringing smiles to the young and old alike who stood shoulder to shoulder, seemingly unaffected by the cool December breeze. Previous
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