REORGANIZATION PLAN for the DIVINE CHILD FOUNDATION, Inc.  

The New Reconstructed Organizational Plan (2017)

 

Table of Contents

I      Abstract (2010)

  • Mission-Vision
  • Philosophy

II    Organizational Structure Nonprofit Model (2020)

  • Executive Board
  • Board Members
  • Volunteers

III   Network Building , Public Relations, Community Alliance 

  • Coalition (COFRADIA)
  • The Website*
  • Social Media Marketing (FaceBook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, etc)

IV  Programs & Services

  • NOSTALGIA (2023)
  • Satelite Museum
  • Las Islas Filipinas
  • El The Father Shrines
  • BOSS

V   Financial Structure/Budget & Sustainability

  • Accounting & Reporting
  • Fundraising

VI Strategic Planning (2020)

  • Form a strong Board
  • Extend Network and Collaboration
  • Resolution: It's Time 

ABSTRACT

Divine Child Foundation, Inc. - Divine Child Foundation, Inc. (DCF), is a domestic not-for-profit corporation registered on Feb. 24, 2010,with New Jersey State law and approved as tax-exempt organization by the IRS; NJ Charitable Registration No. CH3511300.  Its purpose is “to sustain the founder’s crusade to contribute to the growth and development of individuals and the community; help address the issue of unemployment, education and housing for the economically disadvantaged; and to work by itself or in collaboration with other community groups or tax-exempt associations on charitable, educational or cultural projects for the benefit of the greater community, such as, the ethnic communities.”

 

To pursue this organizational purpose, and integrate spirituality, healing and religious arts, Ping Panlilio, Artistic Director of The Nursing Office ExtendedArts Program and Founder of The Divine Child Foundation, Inc., created The Divine Child & Religious Art Museum, utilizing his extensive experience in decorative arts and invaluable collection of religious icons, statues, and religious artifacts, as a Shrine for the Faith communities devoted to the Christ Child. The concept of a Sacred Space dedicated to the Power of Innocence as symbolized by the Santo Nino with a support service program was born.  The Museum was inaugurated October 2014 (See website: http://thenursingoffice.com/the-divine-child-religious-arts-museum/).

 

 

THE DIVINE CHILD & RELIGIOUS ART MUSEUM

The most beautiful art in the world have been inspired by deep religious fervor. In the history of the Christian Church, one of the most fervent devotional practices has been devotion to The Divine Child, more popularly known as The Infant Jesus of Prague, or SANTO NIÑO.

 

The physical space, to be called The Divine Child & Religious Art Museum, or hereinafter known as “Divine Child Museum”, “Casa Santo Nino”, “Bahay ni Santo Nino,” “Casa Do Mininho Santo” was housed in the property of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church Parish, 238 East Blancke Street, Linden, New Jersey 07036, from June 2013 to June 2017.

 

Since its inception in 2013 the Museum has attracted its own coterie of devotees and supporters, among these, Filipino-Americans from the tristate areas and specifically, Latinos in the neighboring area, who have formed a 35-member group called the Cofradia.  Visitors from other states, counties and cities have also visited the shrine, enhancing the religious services offered by the host Church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Linden, New Jersey.

 

VISION– MISSION:  A fervent, inspirational, and contemplative space for experiencing the power of Innocence embodied by the Santo Niño, or The Divine Child, as the Patron of Immigrants. 

1)  To create an open environment to reflect on God's Love for us.

2)  To contemplate and evoke feelings of devotion to our Faith Community.

3)  To inspire Service to others, especially those with True needs.

 

PHILOSOPHY: The varied, multi-faceted images of the Santo Nino are manifestations of the personal devotion of the Founder, Marcos Anselmo Panlilio, as well as part and parcel of his artistic collection of Sacred Objects.  As such, the Sacred Objects may not be sold, rented or used for pecuniary purpose, other than to inspire & instill devotional fervor in individuals and devotees of the Santo Nino.

 

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

1.  Spiritual - To lead and reach the highest peak of spirituality in man, so they may view the world from the greatest perspective that fosters the relationship of mind, body and spirit.To dramatize the historical events that led to this devotion and to engage the participation of Parish community members in constantly commemorating its symbolism and significance in our religious and spiritual life.

2.     Artistic - To display the various collections of statues and artifacts inspired by this devotion to the Infant Jesus, the Divine Child or the Santo Niño; and to encourage arts and crafts activities and host exhibits, demonstrations, festivals, and other varied activities centering on The Divine Child or Santo Niño.

3.  Educational -To demonstrate the origins of The Divine Child, or devotion to the Infant Jesus, its symbolic meaning as well as its advent and development as a widespread devotion.

4.  Health and Healing - To create a venue for community and public health delivery by designing programs and servicesthat improve health education and health literacy that are culturally appropriate, and for parishioners and other groups, and address the real and true needs relating to Mothers, Children, Seniors, and their Families.

5.   Community Service/Social Philanthropy - To establish an alliance of the Parish with the community and design sustainability for the Program by maximizing and cost-effective utilization of available resources.

 

CONTINUING, PRESERVING AND SUSTAINING THE STO. NINO LEGACY

 

DIVINE CHILD FOUNDATION, INC. & INTERIM EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

 Organizational Structure Nonprofit Model

 

To continue, sustain and preserve the spirit of devotion and protect the legacy of Ping Panlilio’sSanto Nino collection for future generations, the Divine Child Foundation, Inc., and The Nursing Office, under its Nursing Ministry & Chaplaincy and Extended Arts programs, hereby establishes the INTERIM EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, with the overall goal of continuing museum operations in various venues.

 

The appointment of an Interim Executive Council that was initially designed on May 29, 2017 to take over the Director’s role (Marcos Panlilio) in negotiating with St Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in an effort to keep the Santo Nino Museum at E. Blanke Street open. However, the failed negotiation called for meetings to establish the "DCF-IEC" who will serve to assist the Founder Marcos Panlilio in both Museum Management and  Collaboration/ Partnership with various Parish Offices as designated or nominated collectively by the Council. Hereinafter, this will be known as “DCF – IEC.”

 

Executive Board - This Interim Executive Council will be composed of The Nursing Office Ministry & Chaplaincy, consisting of Myrna D. Santos, Lutgarda M. Resurreccion, Brother Aka Tito de Vera and Dr. Francia H. de Vera, Nieva Burdick and Ping Panlilio as Ex-officio member/consultant in addition to the original officers. Additional Board members and/or Volunteers may be appointed as needed with collective decision of Board members.

 

Roles and Functions

  1. The DEC-IEC will act as Director/CEO and be responsible for establishing the overall legal, financial and management structure of the Divine Child Foundation, Inc., and ensuing collaboration and/or partnerships with other organizations & agencies.
  2. By-laws and purpose of Divine Child Foundation, Inc., as a not-for-profit organization in New Jersey are to be used as basis along with important inputs from specific parish council involved.
  3. All collaborations and relations of DCF, Inc. with other parishes and/or organizations must be covered with Memorandum of Agreement, to include among others, procedures in care, handling or transfer/shipping of statues & artifacts to be used in ceremonies and rituals, as well as texts or stories used for marketing and fundraising.
  4. Coalitions between and among parishes/organizations could be formed to ensure growth of the vision-mission. The goal is to continue museum operations. Hence, wherever the location may be, the concept of the Sto. Nino Museum remains the same (i.e., as in the proposed move to Fr. Aurelio’s place).

 

Principles of Accountability and Transparency will be followed in the reporting, accounting, & administration of Divine Child Foundation, Inc., and all collaborations with other entities.

 

Financial Structure

 

  1. DCF-IEC will establish legal framework, strong management & financial structures with written agreements, as well as amend current corporate books and update board members.
  2. Responsibilities for building, rent, maintenance, safety, security and insurance costs will be determined by the Board.
  3. Inventory of religious images, artifacts, furniture & other assets, and their valuation must be done. Costs of the artifacts are substantive & considerableand all items & paraphernalia must be assigned monetary value.  Hence, the primary action is to perform Inventory of Assets of DCF, which can be used to record actual assets of DCF, Inc., to be utilized as leverage for financial viability and/or credit equity; and finally as Master List to monitor items (lent or borrowed) if DCF-IEC decides to establish “satellite museums” in different churches or parishes.
  4. Assets should be under one “physical” roof at the Shop on 52 North Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ. Assets could or may be valued at  market price or more and strategies may be created to treat these as collaterals to generate cash or equity. 
  5. Everything sold will be given back to DCF, Inc.  Example: Sto. Nino statues could be shared through creative marketing (by having stories of different legends, i.e., Sto, Nino Labrador, Sto. Nino with worn-out shoes, etc.). Sale of every item will be given back to DCF as assets of the non-profit corporation. However, Ping has to separate Personal Assets from DCF assets for clear accountability& transparency, following Ping’s own quote:“Cuentasclaras preserver amistad.”
  6. All expenses incurred in establishing the Linden, NJ museum dating back to 2013 should be recorded, accounted for, and assigned costs to determine its yearly and/or accrued value. Per Ping, there was no income of DCF/Sto. Nino Museum in the past years. However, a certain percentage could be declared as tax-exempt deductions for Ping &Del’s personal income tax returns, from 2010 to 2017 with retroactive credits as donations by Ping & Del Panlilio to the DCF, Inc.(HistoricallyDCF, Inc., was established to support Fr. Beltran’s MAID group presentations; for the Purple Pillars productions of Las Islas Filipinas;& opening of Sto. Nino Museum.  Ping paid for all accountant expenses.)

 

STRATEGIES OF IMPLEMENTATION

1.Moving out of 238 East Blancke St., Linden, NJ 07036 – Deadline to completely move all items from the building is June 30, 2017.

2.Find and organize storage for big items.

3.Create the Business plan for Divine Child Foundation, Inc. d/b/a Santo Nino Museum – emphasizing Fundraising and Sustainability projects. 

 

 

DCF-IEC CRITERIA FOR A SATELLITE MUSEUM OF THE SANTO NINO

 

  1.  The location or venue chosen must be either one of the following:

 

  1. part of an existing 501(c) (3) corporate religious or charitable entity’s property or space,
  2. operates as an independent physically covered space, i.e., church, chapel room, etc., or
  3. has provisions for persons responsible for cleaning & maintenance of physical space.

 

  1. An organization or grouping with its 501(c) (3) and responsible officers committed to propagating and sustaining the Santo Nino devotion, and willing to document its commitment with a Memorandum of Agreement with the DCF-IEC, regarding details of the care, handling of statues & artifacts as well as fair reporting, accounting and transparency, and promotion/marketing initiatives and activities.

 

  1. An organization or grouping under supervision by an existing 501(c) (3) religious or charitable entity, which has access to a properly covered physical space for holding of devotional rituals and ceremonies related to the Santo Nino devotion.

 

COFRADIA DEL

STO. NINO, PATRON DE LOS MIGRANTES

Linden, New Jersey

 

VISION, MISSION and OBJECTIVES

 

MISSION and GOAL OF THE COFRADIA

  1. To sanctify its members and their families through the devotion to the Sto. Nino, a sincere practice of their faith, frequent reception of the Sacraments, charitable works and social apostolate;
  2. To help promote and propagate the devotion to the Sto. Nino (Holy Child), Patron of Migrants, among the migrant peoples of the United States, that our people may receive the graces they need to preserve and keep vital their Catholic faith;
  3. To promote mutual assistance and cooperation among the membership of the Cofradia;
  4. To engage the Cofradia in religious and civic community activities, for the upliftment of our migrant brothers and sisters. Those who desire to become affiliated members of the Cofradia may further include their association/group’s specific objectives in their respective Statutes, consonant with the objectives of the Cofradia.

 

As a means to achieve these objectives, the Cofradia adopts a general program of activities and practices which will be followed and implemented by its founding members and other affiliated members, with allowance for circumstances of place and available facilities. Affiliated groups and members may add other activities and practices proper to their place, provided they are in consonance with the natures and objectives of the Cofradia.

 

TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP

 

FOUNDING MEMBERS (12)

The twelve (12) Founding members chosen to lead the Cofradia act as members of the Board of Directors who direct and run the Cofradia del Sto. Nino. They have voting rights that allow them to approve the application of Affiliate Members, nominate and choose Honorary Members and invite Associate Members to help promote the goals and objectives of the Cofradia. They will meet on a regular basis to forge the direction of the activities, celebrations and devotions of the Cofradia. They will also spearhead the planning and running of the Grand Fiesta annually on the Fourth (4th) Sunday of April, as well as the regular Novena/Mass every Fourth (4th) Sunday of the month. They will also oversee the financial management and reporting of the Cofradia

The Founding Members will seek advice and guidance from the Spiritual Director of the Cofradia del Sto. Nino.

AFFILIATE MEMBERS (Groups / Associations)

Affiliate Members are groups/associations with fervent devotion to the Sto. Nino who request to become members (with no voting rights) of the Cofradia.  As a collective group, they commit to promote the devotion to the Sto. Nino, Patron of Migrants, and participate actively in the activities, celebrations and devotions of the Cofradia.

HONORARY MEMBERS (Nominated & Chosen)

The Founding members may nominate and vote to confer Honorary Membership to individuals and/or groups during the annual Feast of the Sto. Nino, Patron of Migrants, on the Fourth (4th) Sunday of April.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS (Supporters & Benefctors)

Associate Members are non-voting, but as members, they support, contribute (as benefactors or donors) and participate in the activities, celebrations and devotions of the Cofradia. Associate membership is open to any individual (Catholic, Christian and non-baptized persons) or non-profit groups/organizations who wish to support the activities, celebrations and devotions of the Cofradia del Sto. Nino.

SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR

The Spiritual Director of the Cofradia del Sto. Nino is a bonafide Catholic priest who is in good standing with a fervent devotion to the Sto. Nino, Patron of Migrants. He helps direct and guide the Founding Members of the Cofradia in the carrying out of the vision, mission and objectives laid down by it founders. He leads them in the liturgical celebrations of the annual feast day and the monthly Novena/Mass in honor of Sto. Nino, Patron of Migrants. He represents the Cofradia in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church and acts as Liaison with the Parish Priests of Archdioceses and Dioceses in the United State of America and with the USCCB.

I  CELEBRATIONS AND DEVOTIONS

 

  1. Feast of Sto. Nino, Patron of Migrants (4th Sunday of April).

The annual feast in honor of the Sto. Nino, Patron of Migrnats, will generally be celebrated on the Fourth (4th) Sunday of April and will mark the highlight of the yearly activities of the Cofradia. Consequently, no efforts will be spared to make this celebration a success. Ideally, the celebration ought to be held in close relation with all other activities of the Cofradia.

 

  1. Monthly Novena/Mass (4th Sunday of the month).

Attendance to, or recitation of, the novena every 4th Sunday of the month will be mandatory for every member of the Cofradia.

 

II SOCIAL ACTION _ Excellent as they are and commendable, the purely spiritual and devotional objectives would hardly justify the function of a Cofradia in our time, given the social consciousness and concern of the Church. For this reason, the Cofradia del Sto. Nino must itself explore ways and means that are beneficial to our brother and sister migrants as regards their welfare and their urgent needs.  In particular, and in honor of and service to the Sto. Nino, the Cofradia will place special emphasis on sponsoring and providing aid to social and charitable institutions for Migrants, channeling every year some of the available funds for this purpose, even as each member is hereby enjoined to take to heart this most laudable form of help to the children of God who need assistance.

 

III Procedures in Becoming a Member of the Cofradia del Sto. Nino

 

  1. A letter of request signed by the members of a group/association with the devotion to the Sto. Nino indicating their willingness to be active Affiliate members of the Cofradia, is to be submitted to the Founding Members.
  2. Upon approval of the Founding members of the Cofradia, the group/association become Affiliate members of the Cofradia.
  3. The head/leader of the group/association will receive from the Cofradia the Medallion and the Azulejo de Cofradia (the official title of the Cofradia) that identifies them as officially Affiliate members of the Cofradia.
  4. The Founding members of the Cofradia may nominate Honorary Members of the Cofradia to person(s) with proven special devotion to the Sto. Nino, and who professes to support and promote the devotion to the Sto. Nino, Patron of Migrants.

HONORARY MEMBER

Consul General Mario de Leon’s Devotion to the Sto. Nino

     "The Santo Nino has always been a part of my religious upbringing. I was in San Beda Grade School when I first had my devotion to the Santo Nino de Praga and prayed before the statue of Our Lady of Monserrat Abbey. I remember joining the procession in honor of the Holy Infant organized by the Benedictine monks every January with my mom. When I was stricken with pernicious anemia during Grade 1 and had to be hospitalized, I knew my mom prayed to the Santo Nino for my recovery. This devotion continued when I was in High School and my professional life. I recall attending the different fiestas in honor of the Santo Nino (in Tondo, Iloilo and also in Cebu), and also continued praying the novena to him, particularly when I needed Divine intercession.

Fast forward, I was already the Consul General in London in 2000 when I got stricken this time with sepsis. My mom, who flew then to London, gave me a small statue of the Santo Nino de Cebu. She told me than that she prayed hard to the Santo Nino whenever I was gravely ill.

    As a Thanksgiving to the Infant Jesus, my wife Eleanor and I went to Prague in 2006 and visited the Church of Our Lady Victorious that housed the original image of the Santo Nino de Praga, considered one of the most sacred religious objects in the Kingdom of Bohemia. It was a spiritual journey for me and my wife and we felt blessed to have been pilgrims to the site of my Patron Saint – the Santo Nino."

 

FOUNDER

Marcos Panlilio, more popularly known as Ping, has always been a devotee of Sto. Nino.

 

As early as he can remember, studying in Malate Catholic School and singing in the church choir as well as serving as an altar server, he has always been fascinated with the image and history of the Christ Child. He would spend his lunch breaks, marveling at the statues of religious figures displayed at Maximo Vicente’s (the foremost carver of Philippine santo images) shop along Mabini Street, a few blocks from his school.

 

His grandmother’s cousin at that time was also a Principal at St. Paul’s College in Herran, Manila. His grandmother would take him on visits to St. Paul’s where he would always be greeted by the statue of the Santo Nino which he admired.

 

At age 8, he bought his first image of the baby Jesus in a thrift shop inside his school which he placed near his bed. He would pray to him everyday for guidance and help during his examinations.

 

Growing up in a Catholic family, in a very closed Catholic community, he waited eagerly for church events like the fiesta of San Isidro, the patron saint of his parish. He, with the whole family, would go to Kawit, Cavite during the Christmas season to witness the “Maytines Festival.” During Holy Week, his whole family sponsors the “Pabasa” for the “Nazareno” and the “Panalangin,” which are two images that the family takes care of and bring out during the Holy Week processions.  His mother would take him to Novenas to Saint Jude and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, thus making his devotion to the Church solid.

 

Ten years ago, he and his wife went to Prague to visit the statue of the Infant of Prague. It was on this occasion that he met the caretaker of the Christ Child who had a big bundle of prayer cards. The caretaker said: “Take these and leave them in places where you travel to propagate the devotion to the Christ Child.”  And this he did until the prayer cards ran out.

 

Over a period of time, Ping has amassed over 400 images of the baby Jesus from places he visited. Some of them he purchased and most of them were given to him as gifts on special occasions.

 

Ping opened his first museum to house his collection in Sherman Avenue in Elizabeth, NJ.  Here he held monthly Novenas very first Saturday of the month, but when the number of devotees grew, the service was transferred to St. Catherine of Siena, Hillside, NJ.  Sickness prevented him from continuing this practice. But as soon as he got well, and an opportunity was given to him by Fr. Ed Jocson (Spiritual Director), another museum was opened and the Novenas continued, this time in St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, Linden, NJ.

 

Ever since the beginning, the spread of the Divine Child Devotion has been Ping’s calling. Now this devotion has grown to include the Portuguese, Spanish and Eastern European communities, on top of the Philippine community which by itself, has a big devotion to the Christ Child.

 

PATRONS & SPONSORS

 

                                                Juliet Oberlin

                                                Teresa Malone

                                                Coy Postadan

                                                Manny’s Restaurant

                                                Brisas Columbiana

                                                Efie & Jun Soliven

                                                Marisse Panlilio

                                                Andy Panlilio

                                                Joe Lucio

                                                Marie Paz Wijaja

                                                Carl Sison

                                                Liliam Aruz

                                                Orlando Tate

                                                Jeff Rey Fernando

 

This booklet was brought to you by:

Maria Del Valera Panlilio, Stephanie Bello, and Angelie Patel

 

 

 

Mr. Marcos Panlilio, Founder of COFRADIA , with Santo Nino Devotee, Ms. Loida Nicolas Lewis at Santo Nino Fiesta Celebrations, Church of St. Xavier, NYC 01.19.20

 

 

 

 

Honorary Member of COFRADIA

Mario de Leon and wife Eleanor, joined the launching of the Cofradia at the Santo Nino Museum in Linden, New Jersey.

Officers/Executive Board 2020

Executive Director: Fausto “Bro. Aka Tito” deVera

Co-Executive Director: Violeta Serrano Ibarra (2021)

Managing Director: Myrna D. Santos

Program Director/Secretary: Lutgarda Resurreccion

Chairman of the Board

Dr. Josie Velez

Board Members:

Violeta Ibarra

Dr. Francia de Vera

Board of Trustees:

Dr. Zal Velez (RIP) 

Marcos Panlilio

 

Consultant/Registrant

Jesse Arteche

 

Pastoral Counsel

Rev. Fr. Benigno Beltran

 

In Loving Memory of Ma. Del Valera-Panlilio & Juliet "Mamayette" Oberlin.