Acts Catholic Prayer Community
Acts Catholic Prayer Community (ACTS) is the religious and pastoral arm of the Agapetos Foundation, Inc. (AFI), with the vision of “being a welcoming Home for all.” ACTS stands for the four core values of the community: Agape (selfless love), Cheerful giving, Transparency, and Service. Every two years, members of AFI elect a seven-man Board of Trustees to manage the community.
In 2012, a group of people decided to form a Catholic community that would open its doors to whomever was seeking God. With the guidance of Spiritual Director Fr. Mario Sobrejuanite, SSP and Spiritual Adviser Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP, the group attended a discernment recollection for three consecutive half-Sundays.
On February 19, 2012, during the third session of the recollection, the group approved the vision, mission, and community name. That day was also officially recognized as the ACTS Foundation Day.
As the fledgling community expanded its activities, four other priests were subsequently requested to be spiritual advisers: Fr. Dan Cancino, MI; Fr. Jo Yu, LRMI; Fr. Mon Bautista, SJ; and Fr. Phil Estrella, OMI.
ACTS’ mission has three important elements:
• To evangelize through seminars and prayer meetings, and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist
• To sustain a leadership structure and pastoral care program while keeping the balance among 1) free and joyful service; 2) spiritual growth; and 3) demands of family and career
• To seek various modern means to minister to the spiritual needs of searchers and the homebound
To achieve its mission, ACTS currently has a comprehensive program of activities:
• Weekly Prayer Meeting: consists of 1) Eucharistic Celebration; 2) worship; and/or 3) input on a monthly-themed topic
• Monthly Formation: with a Holy Mass, an input and group sharing
• Monthly Bible Study: consists of Scripture reading, explanation of the verses, and small-group sharing
• Sunday Mass Celebration at SM Megamall, broadcast live over social media platforms
• Quarterly Community Vigil: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, prayers and sharing
• Bi-annual Jesus Encounter Seminar (similar to an LSS): whole-day activity consisting of four talks with group sharing after each session, highlighted by the Baptism in the Spirit (this serves as the entry point for anyone who wishes to take his/her spiritual journey with ACTS)
• Annual Community Outreach: medical and dental mission, catechism, counseling, gift-giving, and celebration of the Holy Mass in a chosen beneficiary community. This annual affair is on top of the monthly outreach program (medical mission and/or service) provided by its Love in Action Ministry in an identified orphanage or home for the aged.
• Annual Community In-reach: medical mission exclusively for ACTS members
Interested parties can visit its FB page, actsprayer.com, for more activities, details and schedules.