Open in Spirit to God (OSG) – Bukas-Loob sa Diyos (BLD) Catholic Charismatic Covenant Community – Guelph District

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

In 1998, a few Marriage Encounter Class graduates from Open in Spirit to God (OSG) – Bukas Loob sa Dios (BLD) Toronto, started a prayer group in the Grand Valley (GVO) tri-city area namely, Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, and Guelph. During its early stage, this group composed of six couples took turns in hosting a prayer meeting in their homes. In 2000, this prayer group which have grown to about eighteen couples found its home at St. Teresa’s Parish in Kitchener with Fr. Dave Lewis as their Spiritual Advisor.

In 2013, under the spiritual guidance of Fr. Les Sczygiel, the then Pastor of St. Joseph Parish Church in Guelph, three couples were appointed as Tricord leaders: Edgar & Susan Reyes (Evangelization Apostolate), Arman & Rowena Celestial (Formation Apostolate), and  Ed & Cynthia Ortiz (Management Apostolate) with Will & Viv Saguil as our Community Shepherds. In the summer of 2013, Fr. Les requested from our group to host a parish-based Life in the Spirit Seminar (LSS). With the support of OSG-BLD Toronto, our mother community, the first LSS was successfully held at the parish in October 2013, graduating twenty-three participants. This event marked the founding of the OSG-BLD St. Joseph Guelph Prayer Group, which became a branch of the Hamilton Diocese GVO-Kitchener District in Process.

In 2014, LSS #2 was conducted with Fr. Felix Labor, a Filipino priest, as Facilitator, with thirty graduates. Since then, our OSG-BLD St. Joseph Guelph Prayer Group held succeeding Encounter Programs including nine adult LSS, four Youth LSS and five Marriage Encounter Seminars.

In 2021, our OSG-BLD St. Joseph Guelph Prayer Group was elevated to a District-In-Process by our mother community, OSG-BLD Toronto District. With over 200 committed members and 24 covenanted disciples, our faith community became a Full-fledged District in August 2024. OSG-BLD Guelph is one of the 60 districts worldwide, fostering a global community of faith and service.