SURIGAO CITY, Philippines - More than 200 members of the MSC Lay Associates in the Philippines gathered for a national congress in Surigao City on 17 – 20 April 2008. The theme of this year's congress is "We have come to know and believe in the love of God for us". The venue of the four-day assembly is the newly-opened MSC Mission and Spirituality Center at the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Shrine in Surigao City.

The lay delegates came from Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Manila, Cebu, Surigao del Norte and the Agusan provinces. A good number of MSC priests and DOLSH sisters also attended the festive gathering. The prelate of the diocese of Surigao del Norte, Bishop Antonietto Cabajog as well as the mayor of Surigao City, Alfonso Casurra, were present during the Solidarity Night.

A talk on MSC Lay Spirituality  from the perspective of a lay person was delivered by Bonifacio Dano, who currently serves as the national coordinator of the Philippine MSC Lay Associates. Efren Fajardo, MSC shared his reflection on the event's theme. Other inputs were given by three other MSC priests, namely Frs. Marcito Macainan, Sabino Roquero, and Bernard Corpuz. 

The congress ended with a solemn and joyful celebration of the Eucharist and a pilgrimage to all the MSC parishes in Surigao del Norte.