U.S. charismatic group to fund housing for homeless in Philippines

Published: 2004-08-11

NEWARK, N.J. (CNS) -- A charismatic group made up largely of Filipino-Americans is planning to honor its spiritual director by naming after him two new villages they will pay to have built for homeless people in the Philippines. Bukas Loob Sa Diyos, Filipino for "open in spirit to God" and commonly known as BLD, is taking the action particularly to mark the 50th anniversary of ordination this year of Father Paul J. Lehman, retired pastor of St. Antoninus Church in Newark. Ricardo DeLaFunte, leader of the group's Newark cluster, said in a telephone interview that they originally thought about holding a gala banquet to celebrate the anniversary, which was May 29. But when Father Lehman found out group members planned to spend $15,000 to $20,000 on the event, he asked them to do something for the poor instead, and to turn his banquet into a simple reception after a Mass, DeLaFunte reported. He said his group had now raised more than $60,000, and at a meeting Aug. 2 made a final decision that "the project is a go." Groundbreaking is set for October, and the new communities are expected to begin taking shape early next year, he told Catholic News Service.

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