THE SCATTERED SHEEP BECAME ONE FLOCK…
The Story of the Catholic Holy Scripture Group
Bro. Bong Lozano
One sunny morning after my class, I happened to be in a car going home with other students. Some one in the jeepney invited me to attend their bible study in the afternoon of that same day under the acacia tree in our school campus (NDU). I ask the students of her religion and she answered me, I am a Born again Christian. My eyebrow met when I heard the answer. I just nod my head; there at that moment, I ask my self, “What is in the bible that they are going to study?” So, when I arrived home I immediately went to my room and get a copy of our bible. I opened it and it was in Mark 16:15 “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Moreover, I ask my self, “What does the message mean?” In searching the answers to my questions, I was able to organize a group of young students at my age for a bible sharing and study on the grassy ground of our school campus ministry. We were about two that time. We first met for bible sharing and study then the next meeting five and we were increasing in number. We came from different family backgrounds, attitudes, personal characteristics, walks of life, color, and courses in the university. The group became an inspiration to me because when the group started I never stopped studying the contents and words written in the Holy Scriptures. My relationship with Jesus became deeper and deeper and I love to be with Him always. Almost twice a week we have our bible sharing and study. We have experience changes in our lives and inspired daily. It is as if we want to be with one another always. The word in the Holy Scripture is active in us. It became devotion in my daily life, to read and reflect on the scriptures. There I realized that slowly the questions in my mind were answered. The words of God in the Holy Scriptures became my daily bread. My life started to become more meaningful with the Lord and with my brothers and sisters in the group who gives me strength and inspiration. Our members started to grow in number. Grow in faith and love for Jesus and His words in the Holy Scriptures. We started our


mission in the different schools in Cotabato City and North Cotabato area by going to schools and inspire them to read the bible and study it in accordance to the Catholic Church’s teaching.
In July 11, 1986 after having a weekly Bible study and sharing since the opening of the school year, we went to the convent of the Marist Fathers in Vilo Subdivision, Notre Dame Avenue to meet Fr. Laurence Duffy and offer him the position of spiritual adviser and orient him of what the Catholic Holy Scripture Group is all about. And in July 14, 1986, he formally accepted the position as our spiritual adviser. From then on the CHSG starts to grow.
We started as students of Notre Dame University in the year 1986 with no background yet of what the Holy Scripture is. It was my peer and a high school friend, Jessie De Vera (who died last December 29, 2007 of bone cancer, may he rest in peace) who helped me a lot in inviting his friends for a bible study and sharing, in the grassy ground under the acacia tree of Notre Dame University Campus Ministry where the CBSG (Catholic Bible Study Group) started. From CBSG, Father Larry, our spiritual adviser suggest that it will be change to CHSG or Catholic Holy Scripture Group which is known till today, which the main objective is evangelization through studying the scripture through the Catholic church.
We started with two Jessie and my self, Jessie’s friends came. Alma Pioquinto, Elizabeth Ong, Shirly Yap, and my neighbor, Lola Mary Cabagbag who is close to me,
And later, Ramon Villanueva and other classmates and friends joined us twice a week for our bible study and sharing every Wednesday and Friday at 4:00 p.m during our activity period. We do not have a regular place for our Bible study but we do have regular day and time for the said activity. Sometimes we were in the Notre Dame University Campus grounds “rain or shine”. We were not yet recognized that time by the campus ministry office and were branded as forefront of a rebel group. We conducted many spiritual activities for the growth of each member like, CHSG Full pledge Membership Seminar, Flock Assembly, Home Bible service, Death Service, Birthday Service and Harana early in the morning, Sick and Prayer Healing, Recollections and Retreat, Mass sponsor and devotion to the Blessed Mother.
The group as infant organization, experienced lots of difficulties like a baby, trying to stand with out the help of a father or mother. No place to go for shelter, Nobody is taking care of. A baby who is looking for a father or mother to be loved and cared. That is what we felt during those days of infancy. We were all hungry and thirsty for God and His words. That is what a CHSGian must possess, Hungry for Gods Words and His love. Though we experienced lots of trials and difficulties, we were happy and we rejoice because we know the presence of God through His Holy Spirit is in us. We can feel it and we saw changes happening in our lives as we study Gods words. We shared our laughter and tears happiness and sadness to one another as we meet in our bible study and sharing. We meet and share Gods words and His goodness to us as if we are real brothers and sisters. We were true to ourselves as we gather in the name of Jesus. The CHSG became our second family, and God is our Father, Jesus our brother and Mary as our mother. The CHSG as our second family is where we can lean on whenever we feel that our world is turning upside down; it is our shelter whenever storm is in our life. The CHSG became a part of our life. We know that Jesus is with us. That He is alive and is moving in our group, that Jesus is with us. We felt the love and care of God in us through our brothers and sisters. That we are not alone we are a family, we are the flock of Jesus. The sheep once scattered in the wilderness but have found and became a flock of Jesus the good shepherd. Whenever we meet, Joy and happiness can be seen in our eyes and through our hugs and smiles, we are confident that we are not alone. We found the Flock of Jesus. We experienced Gods Love and Care; we found peace, joy and happiness in the CHSG, the family, The Flock of the Lord. The group was only recognized after a year. In 1987 the CHSG were formally recognized after submitting all the requirements to the Office of Students Services and Campus Ministry of the school. We were all happy in Praising God and very thankful for answering our prayers at last. The CHSG is now a registered and recognized by the school. We went room to room and can invite freely our friends to join us. Alleluia!!! Our number increased. Praise God! After Fr. Larry Duffy, SM, Fr. Ramon Bernabe, OMI, Mrs. Trinidad Concepcion and Miss. Alma Zurita became our spiritual advisers, who really helped us in pursuing our objectives and mission.
As I looked back, this story of calling and coming back of the lost sheep who heard the voice of The Shepherd, “Come follow me… I will make you fishers of men”. Mark 16:15 became our mission, “Go into all the world and preach the Goodnews to all creation”. We all prayed and thank God for the mission He wants the CHSG to do for Him. To be His lips and voice so that His words will be heard through out the world. It makes each and every member a challenge and to make us going. We believe that preaching Gods words is not only through words but by heart and action. Telling the world, how much God loves the world by sending His Son Jesus even to the extent that He suffered, died and He rose again for us. As members of the CHSG we experienced this love and we want that the next generation will experience the constant and unconditional love of God in Jesus, by Reading, Studying, Sharing, and Living the Words of God from the Holy Scripture.
The CHSG is not a perfect family, not a perfect organization, nor having perfect members. We were subject to trials and tests. We passed through difficulties and dark times too. Members were strucked with personal, family, emotional, financial, spiritual and relational problems. During those years even before we were recognized by the campus ministry we were tested in fire. But we were still one in heart, in mind and spirit that we are Gods family and we should be strong and must hold on to Jesus, whatever may happen. With all the smiles, love care and concern through the advices of our brothers and sisters we gain strength and inspiration to go on.
In 1989 to 1990, I call it the critical years, because these years were the years to part our ways. We have to leave the school. We have to move to our next stage of life. We have to graduate. We have to say goodbye to our brothers and sisters. We do not know our future,




where we are going to, what we will be and when will we meet again. We will be missing one another. But we put everything in the hands of God, and pray “thy will be done”
After all, our memories in college and in the CHSG will remain in our hearts and mind and it will be a marked, the sheep that was once scattered and lost became one flock, tamed, being cared and loved is now given the mission by the Shepherd to “Go into all the world and preach the Goodnews to all creation”. The experience of Gods love and care will be forever till death.
From two to hundreds of members from 1986 to 1990 is a good start in fulfilling the mission in Mark 16:15. We will be once again scattered not as lost sheep but as missionaries of the Word for the world. Not as students but young professionals, equipped with knowledge and wisdom, filled with Gods Holy Spirit. Most of our members became teachers, some are nurses, business men, and some went abroad to work.
The mission is just starting. CHSG chapters were organized in other schools, particularly in Notre Dame of Cotabato Boys Department, were I worked as a faculty member and campus ministry coordinator in the year 1990 and have hundreds of members till 1993. Notre Dame of Cotabato for Girls Department was Sis. Alma worked as guidance counselor; we went to Notre Dame of Pikit and Kabacan National High School to evangelized. In 1993 I transferred at Notre Dame Village High School and became the first campus ministry coordinator of a public school. Many students became active members till 1997. Ocampo College, St.Benedict College, San Vicente Academy and Rojas High School were among the blessed and chosen schools to hear Gods word Then we launched the first General Flock Activity one of the days in July 1993, in the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto auditorium with Fr. Dick Pommier, OMI, which is, “CHSG: Against the Current…” which aims to bring the youth to Jesus and not to follow the fad and the temptation of modernization that destroys the morality of man.. It was attended by hundreds of members of the CHSG chapters in the different schools in Cotabato City
The parable of the sower came true. Some seeds fell on the path, rocky ground, thorn bushes and others in good soil( Matthew 13:18-23)
Some members got married, went abroad, went to other places until we lost contact and communication with them. In 1997, the CHSG slowly took its silence and went into its “Dark moments”. No activities, no communication, members are nowhere to be found. Till news came that most of our members have encountered tragic experiences, storms, immoralities, unhappy relationships, broken families, change of religion and even death. We became back sliders, we forget about God. We forget the Words of Wisdom and Love of God, the Holy Scripture. Some of us became materialistic, worldly and violent. All of these experiences are written in the Holy Scriptures, that “gold is tested by fire” and that the followers will experience sufferings, persecutions and even death. These are some of the crosses the CHSG’ians carried.

As I continue to hear so many bad news about our members’ experiences in life, and some of them I was able to chit-chat after a long period of time, I asked my self, “What have I done to the family of God? What have I done to the Sheep Jesus have gathered? What have I done to them as their shepherd? Where am I, when they need me? It is a big responsibility and I am answerable to God when I die. I started to open my bible again and it so happen in Gods guidance and inspiration it was in Ezekiel 34:11-31. It is about the Good Shepherd. I felt like being poured with cold iced water, my tears came falling down my cheek. The Lord through my conscience whispered, “Bong what have you done to my sheep? Where is my flock? I cried alone in a locked door of my room and talked to God, “Lord forgive me. Help me to gather your sheep, and shepherd them again, if it is your will. Let your will be done”.
God inspired me once more to call the sheep, the members living with in the city of Cotabato, by using the latest technology, through the cell phone in texting them which we do not have 21 years ago. And most of them positively replied and answered Gods call for an elders meeting. For the first time after 10 years of “Dark moments” and silence, it




was in the year 2007; I am not certain of the exact date, we the sheep that was scattered to see and experience the world went back and answered Gods call, met at the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto Session hall. It was a day with the Lord and with Sis. Alma Pioquinto Rodriguez, Bro.Michael Macion, Bro. Ramon Villanueva, Bro. Joel Cadelina, Sis. Yvette Dela Torre Diestro and myself. We met with happiness, joy, excitement and tears for after 10 years here we are, gathering again for the Lord, reminiscing the past and planning for the rebirth of the Catholic Holy Scripture Group. Another meeting was held at the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Tamontaka, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. It was Bro. Michael Macion, M.D, Bro. Alfred Songcayaoun, M.D, Bro. Arnold Baluyos, Bro. Dominador Baldivino, and Sis. Yvette dela Torre Diestro and I were present. It was succeeded with another meeting in one of the restaurants in the city after the July 14, 2007 21st year anniversary mass of the CHSG at the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, presided by Fr. David Procalla, DCC. The elders who attended increased in number.
And in December 30, 2007 we had the first recollection of the elders with Bro. Johnny Gabe, our recollection master, a Muslim by birth and was converted to Catholicism and now a charismatic preacher based in Metro Manila. It was attended by eight of us, Bro.Michael Macion M.D, Sis. Alma Pioquinto Rodriguez, Bro. Ramon Villanueva, Sis.Wife Mary Luz Pineda Lozano, Sis. Yvette Dela Torre Diestro, Bro. Bernard Carmelo, Sis. Lourdes Fernandez, Sis. Evie Arabis Cabulanan Again its another sign that the Lord is really working and it is His will that the sheep must be in one flock, the CHSG. It was a great experience and a challenge for us to help one another in gathering the sheep to go back in the sheep fold of the Lord, the CHSG. Though we are all professionals and have our own families, we still gave time and effort in information dissemination and in contacting other members that the CHSG is revived.
In January 26, 2008, the CHSG Notre Dame Village National High School were activated and have about 20 Fourth year student members who are always attending the Regular Bible Study and sharing every Friday in the classroom at 4:00 p.m. Then, we start to extend the group in San Vicente Academy, a private high school, for a monthly Bible study and sharing, through the help of Mrs. Gamboa, the Campus Ministry Coordinator of the school with the approval of the Principal. It was Sis. Eden Enderes who became our first shepherdess at NDVNHS after the “Dark moments” of the CHSG. We were known again in the campus because for the first time Sis. Eden and another member joined the Bible Quiz on the air through DXMS radio, and won first place against other public schools in the city. We were all proud and thank God for His blessings and guidance. The CHSG members took their oath as members in front of Fr. David Procalla, DCC during one of his masses in February 2008.

And now, we reach up to more or less 50 members who are actively present in most of our activities and about a dozen of members who are not present physically but who are supporting us in prayers and in financial aspects. Most active members came from the Notre Dame Village National High School in Cotabato City, under my care and supervision. Regular Bible study and sharing every Friday, Prayer Assembly and Spiritual Growth Seminar were being conducted for the members of the new generation CHSG members. In August of 2008, the CHSG extended the Bible study and sharing to the students of Rojas National High School, under Sis. Jean Makilang. St. Francis Academy in Upi, Maguindanao is being handled by Sis. Yvette Dela Torre Diestro, San Vicente Academy, under the supervision of Bro. Joel Cadelina, Notre Dame of Cotabato, under Bro. Ramon Villanueva and Sis. Evangeline Cadelina, Notre Dame University with Bro. Bernard Carmelo. Informally, our International CHSG chapters are having Bible study and sharing, in Qatar, Saudi Arabia under Sis. Francisnhel Cabarce, Victoria, Canada under Bro. Dominador Baldivino, and in London, Sis. Shirly Yap Gamboa and Sis. Jannette Dela Cruz.
Locally, we have launched different activities like, Daily scripture reading, mass, confession, visitation to the blessed sacrament, rosary, Divine Mercy, Bible study and sharing, flock prayer assembly, recollection, healing and music ministry singing practices and apostolate works like, street children feeding, Sick, jail and home for the aged visitation. The regular flock prayer assembly is scheduled every 4th Saturday of the month in Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral, Bishop Smith hall at 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
And on April 2-4, 2009, the first Full pledge membership Seminar, (now called Spiritual Renewal Seminar) was held at Divine Mercy Retreat House, Tamontaka, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. Seventeen (17) new full pledge members attended and have completed the SRS Batch 1. Sixteen of them are graduates of Notre Dame Village National High School and one (1) teacher from Ocampo College. They are the first batch of the New Generation, “The Seven-Teens”
The fulfillment of the Holy Scripture and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is true and is on its way. As the sheep belongs to the flock, the flock belongs to Jesus the Good Shepherd. When He calls, lets us listen to Him, for the sheep knows His Shepherds voice, Go back wherever we are, and become One Flock in Gods Sheepfold.

And as the mission of the CHSG continues, many souls will be saved and Jesus will be brought in every heart of every man. As the CHSG 22nd year of proclaiming the Goodnews of salvation, theme says “Go and make a Difference…” As long as Jesus is the Good Shepherd, the sheep who belongs to the flock of Jesus, will never be lost, the mission will continue. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15. Jesus promised us before He ascended to heaven, “…I will be with you always to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
The CHSG story and mission continues…