Venerable Father Leo John Dehon was born in LaChapelle, France on March 14, 1843. He studied law at the Sorbonne University in Paris. Although his family wanted him to practice law, he wanted to pursue a vocation to the priesthood, a call he had felt since his youth. He went to Rome to complete his studies in philosophy, theology, and church law, earning a doctorate in each of these fields. On December 19, 1868, he was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Soissons. He founded the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart (SCJ) on June 28, 1878. He loved to work in the different ministries in the Church, promoting devotion to the Sacred Heart through love and reconciliation, offering assistance to local clergy, working in the mission, and social concerns. Father Dehon died in Brussels, Belgium on August 12, 1925. The Congregation grew throughout Europe, America, Africa, and Asia and is now working in 40 countries.
The SCJ presence in the Philippines began with the arrival of the first SCJ missionary group to serve the local Church in Mindanao on May 17, 1989 and later in Manila. They have one big parish in the Diocese of Pagadian, in which their Novitiate House is located. Another parish is located in the Prelature of Ipil, and a sub-parish in the Diocese of Cagayan de Oro in which a minor seminary is also located. The SCJ theological house located in the Diocese of Novaliches, Quezon City, involves its members in aiding chapels in the Divine Providence Parish in Payatas. At present, the District has 16 priests, 2 of them Filipino, 1 brother, 1 deacon, 24 scholastics, and 7 novices.
The Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Queen of the Apostles (Societas Missionalis Sororum Reginae Apolostolorum, SRA) is a Roman Catholic Missionary Society which was canonically established in Vienna, on July 1, 1923.
From 1872 to 1876 the German Jesuit priest, Antonius Maria Bodewig worked in India as a missionary. Seeing the sad situation of the women, children, and above all, the widows, he wanted to found a missionary congregation for their liberation. He took keen interest in it and took many initiatives for the same. His approach was several decades ahead of his time and he had to face severe opposition and did not get the permission from his local Ordinary to actualize his dreams.
In 1905, Father Bodewig sent a group of brothers to Vienna, with a prophetic word “Your future is in Vienna”. Paul Sonntag, a former member of Father Bodewig’s association, came to Vienna in 1906 and zealously promoted the work of Father Bodewig’s vision by publishing his writings and new information about India. In 1909 he published the mission magazine “Light and Love” in view of promoting interest for the Indian mission. Dr. Theodor Innitzer, one of the Professors of the Vienna University supported Paul Sonntag’s undertaking. With his assistance, Paul Sonntag established the new missionary association under the title “Catholic Mission Work for India”. In 1923 Cardinal Friedrich Gustav Piffl approved the establishment of the new Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the “Queen of the Apostles”. Theodor Innitzer was appointed as the first Superior General of the male branch. In 1925, for practical and administrative purpose, the male branch was separated from the female branch. On January 8, 1927, the first heralds of the young missionary Congregation embarked from Naples to India. They reached Bombay on January 24. Until 1949 the Congregation remained under the diocesan jurisdiction. On April 7, 1949, Pope Pius XII elevated this to the status of a Congregation of Pontifical right.
In 1928, the present motherhouse of the female branch was established in Vienna. During World War II, those in India did not have any contact with those in Europe. Hence in 1940, the 12 sisters who were then in India began to recruit new members from India. Since 1965, Indian sisters were active in Europe. On September 27, 2000, the first Indian sister, Sister M. Callista Panachickel was elected to the office of Superior General of the Congregation.
Beside Austria there are 106 convents in India, 4 in Germany and 1 in Italy. In 1983, they extended their mission work to the Philippines. Now there are five convents. Since 1992, they are also present in Eastern Europe, Slovakia. Today, there are 840 sisters working in different parts of the world.
Overseas, the Congregation cares for the social welfare of the people through schools, adult literacy programs, hospital and health centers. In Europe, the sisters render their services to the sick. They also teach in kindergartens and function as pastoral assistants.
The Missionary Sisters of the Queen of the Apostles (SRA) are called to proclaim the compassionate love of God in the work of Renewed Evangelizaton. The congregation is present internationally in countries like Austria, Germany, Italy, Africa, Slovakia, India and the Philippines (Quezon City-Novitate Formaton House, Cebu City, Zamboanga City and Basilan).
Urged and inflamed by the compassion of Christ who said “I have compassion on the crowd because they are like sheep without a shepherd.” (Mathew 9:36), the congregation opts to go “where the need is great and to serve in love”. The spirit of availability and generosity make the congregation ready to go to any point of the world where a door is opened, to proclaim the Good News of God’s compassionate love, even to places where others dare not to go.
Like the experience of its founder, Father Antonius Maria Bodewig, German Jesuit, the co-founders Cardinal Innitzer, Cardinal of Vienna, Austria, and Father Paul Sonntag, SRA could be compared to the seed that fell to the ground, and out of the furrows of death it grew into a living tree that stands stretching out its branches on the fertle ground of the church.
The congregation serves in LOVE through supporting the following: catechesis, formal and non-formal education, social work (community development), inter-religious dialogue, health care (hospitals, dispensaries & mobile clinic), family life apostolate, basic ecclesial community (BEC), women apostolate, retreats, assistance to the out of school youth, support to the Lay Associate-Queen of the Apostles, and other ministries that need assistance.
The Daughters of Mary (DM), Mother of the Church Institute, is a Diocesan Religious Institute founded by the late Archbishop Most Reverend Teopisto V. Alberto, DD for the Archdiocese of Caceres in Naga City on October 11, 1966. Its primary aim was to provide women religious to teach catechesis in public and private schools in the said Archdiocese. As time went on, its apostolate was expanded to include family ministry and assistance to diocesan and parish offices. As the institute started to grow in number and requests for assistance from other dioceses started to come, other mission houses were opened in other areas not just in the Bicol Region.
The sisters believe that every mission house opened is God’s providence sent to them through the kindness and generosity of His instruments. Tandang Sora was one such story. In 1977, the Congregation was already present in the Archdiocese of Manila, with its mission house then located in Quiapo, Manila. At that same time, its sister congregation, the Holy Face Sisters founded by Mother Therese Vicente and also the DM’s collaborator was also operating in Manila. In order to give way to its sister congregation, the DM closed its mission house there in 1986 and looked for a new place in Metro Manila. It so happened that a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Ponciano, and Mrs. Marlene Icatar, offered their house to the sisters rather than to leave it idle and on May 31, 1986, the DM’s Tandang Sora Mission House was formally opened with Sister Delia Mendones as its first local superior. Sister Delia is a sibling of Mrs. Marlene Icatar. The Formal Decree of Establishment from His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin was issued on June 27, 1986. With the creation of the new Diocese of Novaliches in February 9, 2005, the SLRP, where the DM Mission House belonged, was transferred under its jurisdiction. The Decree of Recognition was then granted to the community by His Most Reverend Antonio R. Tobias, D.D., the Bishop of Novaliches.
The main apostolate of the sisters is to give catechesis at Culiat High School. They also offer their services to SLRP by taking charge of the upkeep of the parish church and giving recollections to different religious organizations and to public school teachers. In their desire to reach out to more families in the neighborhood, they established the Little Flower Nursery and Kindergarten which was later renamed the Marian Formation Center. In 2011, this Formation Center will be celebrating its 25th Foundation Anniversary.
The DM’s twenty two years of existence in Tandang Sora, from 1986 until the present, brought different batches of sisters who were assigned to do their mission in the parish. Presently, the sisters assigned in the area are: Sister Aurora Gucila from Pampanga, acting as local superior and her members are Sister Pudenciana Miralo and Sister Mamerta Miralo, both from Tabaco City in Bicol and are biological sisters. Working quietly, yet with the grace of the Holy Spirit, the presence of the DM community has already bore fruit. In 2000, one lady from the Parish itself, entered the convent in Naga City leaving behind her stable job, her family and the lifestyle she was used to. Sister Elena Tristan Aguilar professed her perpetual vow last May 3, 2008 at the Basilica of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City with the joyful presence of her family, relatives and some SLRP parishioners.
The sisters are requesting for prayers and any spiritual bouquets that can be offered for the immediate processing of their application for the Congregation’s pontifical approval in Rome.
"We have engraved in our minds and in our hearts: Charity, Charity, Charity toward God and toward our dear neighbor.” - St. Maria De Mattias, founder of the Sister Adorers of the Blood of Christ
These words contain a life plan. They are words that Maria de Mattias, woman of the 1800s, grasped, desired, lived and passed on to generations of women all over the world. Maria de Mattias was born in Vallecorsa, a small town of the Papal States, in what is now Lazio (Italy), on February 4, 1805. As a child and adolescent, she experienced very profoundly the climate of terror and violence generated by Napoleonic revolutionary ferment and the spread of banditry. For Maria, the blood of Jesus poured out for the reconciliation “between heaven and earth”, an eloquent sign of the deep tenderness of God for humanity, is the only way to salvation. This deep faith in the redemptive power of the blood of Christ ingrained in her a charism that expressed a “culture of life” as opposed to the “culture of death” (violence, oppression, and injustice which threaten human life and personal dignity) in which the society was immersed.
Ministries
Teaching, social work, and primary evangelization are among the instruments of a spirituality whose core is the Paschal Mystery, the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection, and the proclamation of hope and life in all situation in which the human being experiences the drama of pain and the anguished search for meaning. The same spirit lends color to every apostolic commitment of the more than 2000 Adorers scattered in twenty-seven countries in all the continents. The Adorers wear the symbol of the heart with a cross mounted above. Drops of blood are engraved on the heart to remind them that they are called “to retract (draw in) and reflect a living image of that divine charity with which the Blood of Jesus was shed and of which it was and is a sign, an expression, a measure and a pledge.” They journey with the people on the road of life, in every corner of the world, in every changing reality in space and in time, in the story of humanity.
The Beginning in the Philippines
The Sisters Adorers began their mission here in the Philippines since 1988 caring for the abandoned children. In the early 90's, two sisters from the congregation met with the late Jaime Cardinal Sin who identfied an area of Tandang Sora in Quezon City as the Congregation’s apostolic headquarters and entrusted them with its care. Shortly thereafter, a house in Culiat, Tandang Sora was then purchased and was called “Maria De Mattias House”. The two sisters immersed themselves into the parish realities, working especially for the youth and vocation ministries. Other sisters joined the newly opened ASC mission in the Philippines thereafer. Sister Angela Colapinto, one of the sisters who arrived on October 30 1991, brought a consoling presence to the elderly and the lepers as she made them her apostolate.
Realizing the need for a more concrete presence among the very poor, the ASC established the “Giovanni Merlini Apostolic Center” on August 20, 1996. Soon after, the center expanded to handle the listening and catechetical needs of the poor. In due time, and in collaboration with an NGO and a group of German volunteer doctors, medical services were introduced. Later in 1999, a daycare center was added to complement the center’s various services. Two years later, in April 16, 2001, the ASC established the “St. Gaspar Orphanage” located in Marikina, Rizal to cater to the educational needs of the abandoned children that they took in their care.
The story of the ASC sisters in the Philippines continues as they strive to be faithful to the gift that they receive from the Spirit to spread charity to this land hungry for Christ’s redemptive love.
Binondo, Manila – Sometime in the year 1600, the home of a Chinese businessman and his Filipino wife were blessed with a baby boy. The exact date of the baby boy’s birth was unknown since many years later the baptismal records of the church of Binondo were destroyed. What can be considered true, however, was that it was a common practice during that period to give the child the name of the saint whose feast day the child was born on. And since that particular baby was born on the feast of Saint Lawrence, thus he was named Lorenzo.
Very little was known of Lorenzo’s childhood, except that his family were devout Catholics and that at an early age, he worked as a houseboy and sacristan for Dominican friars in Binondo church. As he grew up, he joined the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary and became a pious follower of the Blessed Virgin. Lorenzo received his education from the Dominicans who taught him how to read and write. His extraordinary talent for handling documents and calligraphy earned him the title of “escribano” from the Dominican friars as well as their trust in having Lorenzo transcribe baptismal, confirmation, and marriage documents into the church’s official books.
He was married to a Filipina and had two sons and a daughter. Not much is known about how he was as a family man, but he was an active parishioner who readily became involved with church activities. He was a fervent Marian devotee, especially towards the recitation of the Holy Rosary.
Life would have been easy for Lorenzo were it not for a certain incident that changed his fate in 1636. The exact details are unknown, but he was accused of murdering a Spaniard and was sought for questioning by the authorities. He sought assistance from his Dominican superiors in order to avoid persecution. And because the friars knew that the Spanish officials would treat Lorenzo’s case unjustly, they encouraged him to leave the country. Lorenzo was sent to join a missionary expedition to Macao along with several Dominican friars and a Japanese layman. There, Lorenzo hoped to start a new life, but little did he know that this expedition was headed straight for Japan, and that he would never see his family again. A much graver fate lay in store for the unlikely martyr.
The expedition went straight to Japan, where feudalism trampled over those of Christian faith. Those who were caught practising their Catholic faith were immediately persecuted. Although Lorenzo’s group had hoped to enter Japan unnoticed, the Japanese soldiers ventually found them and had them arrested for being identified as Christians. Lorenzo and his companions were taken for questioning by Japanese officials where they were repeatedly tormented until they renounced their faith. Buckets of water were forced into their mouths through a funnel until they could drink no more. Then, the soldiers would put a long board on their stomachs and repeatedly stepped on either side of the board to force the water out through all natural exits. The needle torture was even harsher. The captors would insert long needles under the nails of the prisoners and beat them repeatedly.
Two of Lorenzo’s companions, Father Gonzalez and Father Lazaro were interrogated first. During that time, Lorenzo was already having doubts whether he should renounce his faith or not, seeing how much suffering the two friars were going through. But seeing that the two would rather suffer the torment than give up their faith, this stiffened his resolve to stand for his beliefs. When his turn came and he was asked whether he would give up his faith, he firmly stated: “I am a Christan and I will profess this until my death. For God I shall give my life. Do with me as you please.” His response angered the judges who immediately had him tortured. But even as he suffered, Lorenzo refused to give up his faith.
Two days later, on the final judgment day, the judges had Lorenzo face them again and asked him their last question: “In return for your life, will you give up your faith?” Lorenzo’s response was immediate: “That I will never do. I am a Christian and I shall die for God. Even if I had a thousand lives, I would gladly give them all up for God. Do with me as you wish.”
Lorenzo and his companions were condemned to death and were taken to Nichizaka Hill to undergo their final torture. Each of them was hanged by the feet and dropped into a well filled with stones. Their temples were slit to let blood drip until they died from loss of oxygen or asphyxiation. Lorenzo died two days later on September 29, 1637. The soldiers then burned the bodies of the prisoners and tossed their ashes into the sea in order to prevent Christian veneration.
Three months later, news of their demise reached Philippine shores. Touched by their story, those who found out spread the word of his martyrdom and the martyrdom of his companions. On October 28, 1987, during his papal visit to Manila, Pope John Paul II had Lorenzo Ruiz beatified and later canonized. San Lorenzo Ruiz holds the honor of being the first Filipino saint, and the distinction of being the first saint beatified outside the Vatican. As Pope John Paul II described him, Lorenzo Ruiz truly was the most improbable of saints.
Though very little is known about his life, San Lorenzo Ruiz was truly a man of God. For a man to offer his life for God, this is truly the noblest thing anyone could ever do.
San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish 16 Gabriela Silang Street Tierra Verde Subdivision Tandang Sora Avenue, Quezon City Phone: 931-6452 Website: www.slrp-qc.com Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Bienvenido “Luke” D. Dobles Parish Staff: Secretary/Bookkeeper: Gerald Dobles Office Assistant: Edita De Mesa Sacristan Mayor: Fred Senodo Office Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (Tuesdays to Sundays)
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In 1994, during one of the traditional breakfasts with Father Rolly Petronio, along with some members of the Lay Ministers of the Eucharist, the idea of establishing a parish foundation was discussed when they noticed the much needed improvement of the parish priest’s living quarters – a project which required substantial funding. The need to establish a foundation was realized and in order to effectively coordinate fund-raising, an institution was legally established for the said purpose.
Initially, the group agreed to individually contribute Php10,000 to a common fund and invite benefactors in and out of the parish to become incorporators. The following individuals heeded the invitation to become incorporators:
1) Ariston A. Adan 2) Mar Alibudbud 3) Peter B. Arriola 4) Aurelia Arriola 5) Paquita L. Cruz 6) Voltaire M. Dizon 7) Antonio G. Feliciano 8) Rogelio I. Gandionco 9) Estela Gatdula 10) Roberto Jimenez 11) Fernando R. Mangubat, Jr. 12) Fernando C. Reyes 13) Senando A. Santiago 14) Arrel Virtucio 15) Lourdes C. Visaya
Mr. Conrado Pineda contributed his share by printing fifty booklets of provisional receipts for the foundation. Other parishioners provided the most needed encouragement.
The Foundation was incorporated on August 2, 1995 under SEC Registration Certificate No. AN095-02907. Aside from building the multi-purpose hall and convent, the foundation was likewise established to extend financial help to the evangelical, religious, educational, medical, socio-cultural, and youth programs of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish.
The foundation was formally launched on August 12, 1995 in a dinner pledging session at Sulu Hotel in Quezon City. During the session, the foundation received a total amount of Php550,000 in pledges.
After its formal launching, the foundation set a three-year timetable to raise funds for its intended projects. In the meantime, the Bureau of Internal Revenue authorized the Foundation to operate as a tax-exempt organization, subject to its review of operations after three years.
In 1996, the local chapter of Couples for Christ donated a secondhand Yanmar 25KV generator for the foundation. The generator was installed through the kindness of the Geraldez family and the Arriola family.
The foundation has given its financial share to the various projects of the Parish Pastoral Council, has shared in the parish operating expenses, and continues to do so in pursuant to its mandate.
The Council of Elders provides unselfish support to the parish priest and the Parish Pastoral Council on parish plans, activities and projects through their CASA: Comments, Advise, Suggestons, and Assistance.
Our distinguished elders are: Oca and Lety Calma Paquita Cruz Tony and Lina Feliciano Atty. Ceferino Hermano Rene And Cecile Jimenez Toti and Cora Mangubat Paul and Elsa Maskariño Dr. Lourdes Sarmiento
Ang pagiging banal ay isang katangian ng totoong simbahan, ng simbahan Katoliko. Ang pagyabong ng pananampalataya sa Krus, ang siyang nagpapabata ng simbahan sa habang panahon. Buhat sa iba’t ibang lahi at kultura ang binhi ng ebanghelyo ay umuusbong at lumalago sa takbo ng panahon at sa iba’t ibang lugar. Ang tawag sa pagiging banal ay pangkaraniwang bokasyon ng bawa’t mananampalataya. Si San Lorenzo Ruiz, ang kauna-unahang santo natin ay nagpapaalala sa atin na hanggang ngayon buhay pa ang panawagan na tayo ay maging banal at handang sumaksi para kay Kristo, kahit na magbuwis ng dugo.
Si Lorenzo ay ipinanganak sa Binondo, isang munting parian na noo’y nasa labas ng siyudad ng Maynila. Ang ama niya ay isang Intsik at ang kanyang ina naman ay isang Filipina. Bininyagan siya sa pagitan ng 1600-1610 at binigyan ng pangalang Lorenzo Ruiz. Hindi alam ang tiyak niyang kapanganakan sa dahilan ang mga dokumento ng binyag ng simbahan ng Binondo noon ay nasunog. Kahit na, naging kaugalian na na pangalanan ang bata sa ngalan ng santong patron ng araw na isilang ang bata. Kaya malamang, si Lorenzo ay ipinanganak sa kapistahan ni Saint Lawrence, isang diyakonong martir.
Kakaunti ang kaalaman tungkol sa buhay ni Lorenzo noong siya’y bata maliban sa siya ay namasukan sa kumbento ng mga pareng Dominiko sa Binondo bilang houseboy at sacristan. Dito nag-umpisang mahubog ang kanyang pananampalataya nang siya’y naging aktibong miyembro ng Confradia de Santisimo Rosario kung saan siya’y naging madasalin at ang buhay naman niya’y naging maka-kristiyano. Nabigyan si Lorenzo ng mabuting edukasyon sa ilalim ng mga Dominikong pare at nang magtapos siya, siya’y kinuhang “escribano” o kalihim ng kumbento. Dahil sa kaniyang kagalingang ipinakita, ibinigay sa kanyang ang malaking responsabilidad na magsalin ng mga dokumento ng binyag, kumpil at kasal sa opisyal na libro ng simbahan. At dito napanatag ang loob ng mga pare at lubos siyang pinagkatiwalan.
Hindi naglaho, si Lorenzo ay nag-asawa. Ang napangasawa niya ay isang Tagala, tulad ng kanyang ina. Laki rin ang mga ninuno ng kanyang asawa sa lugar kung saan nanirahan ang orihinal na pamilya ng mga Ruiz. Sila ay nabiyayaan ng tatlong supling – dalawang lalaki at isang babae. Si Lorenzo ay naging mabuting ama at asawa sa kanyang pamilya. Patuloy pa rin siyang nagtrabaho sa simbahan ng Binondo kung saan nahubog ang kanyang pagiging aktibo sa mga gaawin ng simbahan, na siyang nagpatibay ng kanyang pananampalataya sa Diyos at patuloy na nagpalalim ng kanyang debosyon sa Mahal na Birhen, lalo na sa pagdarasal niya ng Santo Rosaryo.
Masaya si Lorenzo sa piling ng kanyang pamilya at matahimik ang kanilang pamumuhay. Subali’t hindi ito nagtagal. Sa masamang palad, noong taong 1636, si Lorenzo ay nasangkot sa isang mabigat na kasong kriminal sa pagkamatay na isang Kastila. Si Lorenzo ay pinaghahanap ng mga Guardia Civil para imbestigahan at kasuhan. Sa laking takot ni Lorenzo na siya’y hindi mabibigyan ng katarungan, lumapit siya sa mga among Dominiko at humingi na siya’y tulungang makatakas. Dahil sa paniwala ng mga pare na wala siyang kasalanan, si Lorenzo ay isinama nila sa isang misyon sa labas ng Pilipinas. Noong umpisa, ang buong akala niya’y tutungo sila sa Taiwan o Macao kung saan, sa tulong ng kanyang dugong Intsik, siya’y umasang makakahanap ng trabaho bilang isang “escribano”.
Noong madaling araw ng ika-10 ng Hunyo, taon 1636, si Lorenzo, kasama ang limang misyonerong Dominiko, ay palihim na umalis ng Maynila sakay sa isang maliit na bangka para tagpuin ang ekspedisyon misyonaryo ni Fray Domingo Ibanez na tutungo sa bayan ng Nagasaki sa lupain ng Hapon. Hindi alam ni Lorenzo na sa bansang Hapon sila papunta at lalong hindi niya alam kung anong sasapitin niya roon. Sa kanyang pagtakas sa kamatayan sa Maynila, di niya inakalang sa lupain ng Hapon niya pala ito haharapin! Kasama ni Lorenzo ang mga paring sina Antonio Gonzalez, Miguel Aozaraza, Guillelmo Courtet, Vicente Shiwosuka de la Cruz at si Lazaro, isang laykong may ketong na taga Kyoto.
Pagkalipas ng isang buwan, si Lorenzo at ang kanyang mga kasama ay dumaong sa isla ng Lequios o Okinawa Islands na tawag dito ngayon. Dito ni Lorenzo makakaharap ang pinakamalaking pagsubok ng kanyang pananampalataya, ang kanyang pagiging martir! Wala siyang kaalam-alam noon na hindi na niya makikita ang kanyang pamilya o ang kanyang bayan.
Pagkababa ni Lorenzo at kanyang mga kasama, sila ay agad nakilala bilang mga Kristiyano at dagliang hinuli at ikinulong. Noong ika-21 ng Setyembre, 1637, pagkatapos nang mahigit sa isang taong paghihintay, si Lorenzo, kasama sina padre Antonio Gonzalez at ang laykong si Lazaro ay naunang dumating sa Nagasaki para sa paglilitis ng kanilang kaso. Sila ay agad tinanong tungkol sa kanilang pananampalataya at pagpasok sa bansang Hapon.
Pagkatapos ng pagtatanong, sinimulan kaagad ng hukuman ang pagpaparusa sa mga dayuhan. Nauna si padre Gozalez na pinahirapan sa pamamagitan ng “Water torture” kung saan pilit na paiinumin siya ng maraming tubig hanggang lumobo na ang kanyang tiyan. Pagkatapos, inilagay ang isang tabla sa ibabaw ng tiyan niya at siya naming tinatapakan ng dalawang sundalo sa magkabila niya upang puwersahin ang tubig na lumabas sa kanyang katawaan. Pagkatapos nito, inutusan siyang tapak-tapakan ang imahen ng ating Mahal na Birhen. Subali’t hindi nagpatinag si padre Gonzalez bagkus tinanggap niya ang karagdagang pagpaparusa dahil hindi niya magawang yurakan ang imahen ng ating Mahal na Ina.
Ang lahat ng ito’y nasaksihan ni Lorenzo. Sa laking takot niya na sasapitin niya ang ganoong parusa, agad-agad niyang itinakwil ang kanyang pananampalataya sa harap ng mga autoridad. Nguni’t nang sila’y dalhin sa kulungan at, sa katahimikan ng kaniyang selda, siya’y nakapagnilay, agad siyang humingi ng kapatawaran sa kasama niyang pare. Sa sumunod na mga araw nagpatuloy ang pagpaparusa sa dalawang kasama ni Lorenzo at siya’y tinanong ulit kung itatakwil niya ang kanyang pananampalataya. Nagdalawang isip si Lorenzo at humingi ng “interpreter” upang ipatanong kung siya’y pakakawalan kung tatalikuran niya ang kanyang pananampalataya.
Bago pa man niya matanggap ang sagot ng hukom, agad niyang tinawag ang “interpreter” at sinabing “Ako ay isang Kristiyano hanggang sa oras ng aking kamatayan; para sa Diyos ibibigay ko ang aking buhay. Napunta ako dito sa Hapon hindi upang maging martir kung hindi dahil sa Maynila hindi ako maarign manirahan. Ako ay isang Krisyano. Ibibigay ko ang aking buhay para sa Diyos. Gawin na ninyo ang gusto ninyo sa akin.” Pagkatapos niya itong sambitin, si Lorenzo ay pinarusahan ng “water torture” tulad ng kanyang mga kasama.
Ang pagdating ni Lorenzo at kanyang mga kasama sa lupain ng Hapon noong panahong iyon ay nabalot sa ‘di kagandahang palad. Noong kasi, ang pamunuan ng bansang Hapon ay nagsagawa ng matinding pagpaparusa at pagpatay ng mga Kristiyanong mananampalataya sa bansa, lalo na sa bayan ng Nagasaki. Mabilis kasing lumago ang sektang Kristiyano kasama na ang mga Katoliko kung kaya’t nabahala ang gobyerno at dagliang naglunsad ng malawakang paglilitis at pagpatay sa mga nanatiling Kristiyano. Sa maikling panahon mula 1637-39, mahigit sa tatlumpong libong Kristiyano ang nagbuwis ng buhay alang-alang sa pananampalataya kasama na si Lorenzo at mga kasama.
Matapos ng dalawang beses niyang matunghayan ang pagpasakit sa kanyang mga kasama, at matapos na dalawang beses niyang itinakwil ang kanyang relihiyon at magbalik-loob, si Lorenzo ay nahatulang maparusahan ng water torture gaya ng kanyang mga kasama. Tinanggap na ni Lorenzo ng bukas loob ang kanyang sinapit na paghihirap at ito’y namalagi sa kanya hanggang sa huli.
Makaraan ang dalawang araw, si Lorenzo ay ihinarap muli sa kanyang manlilitis kung saan siya ay tinanonng diretso kung itatakwil ba niya ang pagiging Kristiyano. Sa diretso at buong loob, kanyang sinabing “Iyan ay di ko magagawa dahil ako ay isang Kristiyano at handa akong mamatay para sa Diyos. At para sa Kanya’y ibibigay ko kahit higit pa sa libo kong buhay. Kung kaya, gawin na ninyo ang nais ninyo sa akin.”
Para sa mga huwes, malinaw itong kaso ng isang Kristiyanong buong-buo ang loob na mamatay para sa kanyang pananampalataya kung kaya siya’y nahatulang mamatay.
Nagpatuloy ang pagpaparusa at si Padre Antonio Gonzalez, ang namuno sa misyon, ang siyang unang binawian ng buhay nang siya’y tinamaan ng mataas na lagnat dahil sa water torture. Namatay siya noong ika-24 ng Setyembre, 1637. Makalipas ang tatlong araw, si Lorenzo at kanyang mga kasama, ay kinaladkad palabas ng piitan upang bitayin. Habang nakatali ang kamay sa likod, at may busal ang bibig, sila’y isinakay sa kabayo at ipinarada sa lansangan ng Nagasaki kung saan may mga karatolang nag-aanunsiyo ng kanilang sentensiyang kamatayan. Ang kanilang destinasyon ay ang Nichizaka Hill, na tinaguriang ‘Bundok ng mga Martir” kung saan naghihintay ang kanilang kahuli-hulihang parusa.
Pagdating nila sa Nichizaka Hill, sila ay ibinitin ng patiwarik at ibinaba sa isang hukay. Noong panahong iyon, ito na ang isa sa pinakamasakit na paraan ng kamatayan. Tinatalian ang katawan ng bihag ng mga mabibigat na bato habang siya’y nakabitin. Sa tindi ng pagkakaipit ng dibdib, ang bihag ay makakaranas ng pagkaubos ng hininga hanggang tuluyan na itong malagutan ng hininga. Pagkaraan ng dalawang araw nitong parusa, si Lorenzo ay namatay. Ang katawan ni Lorenzo at mga kasama ay sinunog ng mga Hapon at ang abo nito’y isinaboy sa karagatan upang hindi na ito magamit ng mga Kristiyano sa kanilang pagsamba sa Diyos. Buong tapang at puso na ipinahayag ni Lorenzo ang kanyang pag-ibig at pananampalataya sa Diyos.
Makalipas ang tatlong buwan, ang balita ng pagkamatay ni Lorenzo at mga kasama sa lupain ng Hapon ay nakarating sa Maynila at tinanggap ng kalugod-lugod. Dahil sa tinding alab ng kanilang pananampalataya, nagtipon ang mga tao sa simbahan ng Binondo upang magbigay pugay sa isa sa mga martir, si Padre Marello Mastrilli, isa rin sa mga pinatay sa Hapon. Ang pagdiriwang ay nagtuloy sa simbahan ng Santo Domingo kung saan kinanta ng mga tao ang isang mataimtim na “Te Deum” o pasasalamat sa Diyos dahil sa tagumpay ng pananampalatayang Kristiyano sa Hapon.
Pagkaraan ng mahigit tatlong daan taon matapos ang kamatayan ni Lorenzo, ang kanyang buhay at pagkamartir, kasama ng kanyang mga kasama, ay dumaan sa matinding pananaliksik ng Vatican. Sa ilalim ng Santo Papang Juan Pablo II, kanyang binigyang diin ang pangkalahatang panawagan sa kabanalan, o ”universal call to holiness.” Sa loob ng kanyang panunungkulan, 1,340 na tao ang naging beato at 483 naman ang naging santo. Ito ay mahigit pa sa lahat ng naging beato at santo sa loob ng nakaraang limang daan taon.
Si Lorenzo ay dinakila bilang beato ni Juan Pablo II noong ika-18 ng Pebrero 1981 dito sa Luneta Park kasama ng labing-anim niyang kasama. Ang proseso ng kanyang beatification ay nagtagal lamang ng limang taon at ito’y isa na sa pinakamabilis na proseso ng beatification sa kasalukuyang panahon. Nguni’t mas higit pa dito, si Lorenzo ang kauna-unahang tao ginawang beato sa labas ng Vatican sa dalawang-libong taong kasaysayan ng simbahang katolika. Walang iba bago kay Lorenzo ang naging beato sa labas ng Vatican at sa kanyang sariling bansa.
Kasama din ni Lorenzo na ginawang beato ay sampung Hapon, apat na Kastila, isang Italyano at isang Pranses. Siyam dito ay mga pareng Dominico, dalawa ay laykong Dominico, dalawang madreng Dominico at apat na layko, kasama si Lorenzo. Sa kanyang mensahe, ipinahayag ng Santo Papa na ang beatification nitong mga martir na ito ay pangsimbahan at pangkalahatan (ecclesial and universal) dahil ang mga nagging beato ay nanggaling sa iba’t-ibang bansa at bokasyon at propesyon.
Pagkatapos ng beatification ni Lorenzo noong 1981, ang proseso naman ng kanyang canonization ay nagumpisa na. Ito ang huling hakbang sa kanyang pagiging santo. Tulad ng mga nauna sa kanya, kinakailangan magkaroon ng matibay na pruweba na banal at maka-Diyos ang buhay at kamatayan ni Lorenzo at karapat-dapat upang siya’y tanghaling santo. Sa pananaliksik ng Simbahan, walang naging balakid ang buhay at pagiging martir ni Lorenzo, bagkus ay lubusang napagtibay pa ito sa kanyang pagiging santo. Nguni’t sa proseso ng canonization, kinakailangan may isang conpirmadong milagro na bunga ng tulong ni Lorenzo. At ito na nga ay nangyari noong 1983 o dalawang taon pagkatapos ng kanyang beatification.
Noong ika-4 ng Marso, 1981, may isang batang babae na ipinanganak halos kasabay ng beatification ni Lorenzo. Siya ay si Cecilia Alegria Policarpio na nadiskubre na may rare brain disease, brain atrophy (hydrocephalus). Itong kanyang sakit ay nakita kaagad pagkasilang niya at ginamot sa Magsaysay Medical Center. Makalipas ang dalawang taong paggagamot na tila wala ng pag-asang gagaling pa, ay nangyari ang isang milagro sa pagdarasal ng pamilya at ng mga deboto ni San Lorenzo. Noong Hulyo 1983, napuna ng punong tagapaggamot na si Dra. Felicidad Soto na nanumbalik sa normal ang utak ni Cecilia.
Agad nagpadala ng mga doctor ang Vatican, sina Dr. Franceso De Rosa at Monsignor Joseph Geraud, upang magsagawa ng kabuuang pagsusuri sa milagrong ito ni Cecilia. Noong Disyembre 1986, iniharap ng dalawang dalubhasang manggagamot ang resulta ng kanilang pagsusuri kay Dr. Cortesini, Pangulo ng Medical Commission. Kaniya naming tinanggap ang kanilang pagpapaliwanag. At dito, sa pagpapatibay ng Simbahan na totoong may milagro, ang layunin sa pagiging santo ni Lorenzo ay naging isang katotohanan. At gayun na nga, noong ika-22 ng Hunyo, 1987, sa pulong ng Congregation for the Causes of Saints, hiningi ng Santo Papa Juan Pablo II na pagbotohan ang panukalang pagpapatibay sa milagrong ito kung saan naman ito ay nakapasa. Isa na lamang ang hakbang na naghihiwalay kay Lorenzo upang makabilang siya sa mga hanay ng santo ng simbahan. At ito ay nangyari noong ika-18 ng Oktubre 1987 nang si Lorenzo Ruiz ay pormal na ginawang santo sa canonization rites na ginanap sa Roma.
Makalipas ang anim at kalahating taong pagpupursigi matapos ng kanyang beatification, naganap sa Roma noong ika-18 ng Oktubre 1987, sa ilalim ng matinding init ng araw, ang canonization ni Lorenzo kung saan siya’y itinanghal bilang isa nang ganap na santo ng simbahan. Nitong especial na araw na ito, sa gitna ng animong isang karagatan ng mga munting bandila ng Pilipinas na winawagayway, naririnig sa labas ng Basilika ni San Pedro and masayang sigaw ng “Viva San Lorenzo” at “Viva Il Papa” mula sa maraming mga Pilipinong nagbuhat sa iba’t ibang dako ng mundo nagpunta upang masaksihan ang pagiging santo ni Lorenzo.
Si Lorenzo ang siyang kauna-unahang santo ng Pilinas at ayon sa Santo Papa, “the most improbable of saints.” Dugtong pa ng Santo Papa “Binibigyan tayo ng Panginoon ng mga santo sa takdang panahon at naghintay Siya ng 350-taon bago ibinigay sa atin itong santong ito…Ang kanyang katapangan na ipinakita niya bilang isang saksing layko…ay siyang kailangin natin sa ngayon. Ang pagsasaksi ni Lorenzo ang siyang simbulo ng katapangan walang hanggang ang kinakailangan natin para ipakita na maaaring rin nating magawa. Para kay Lorenzo, walang pinagkaiba ang kanyang pananampalataya at buhay. Buhay na walang pananampalataya ay walang halaga…ipinakita niya na ang pagiging banal at kabayanihan ay kaya ng kahit sino man.”
Noong ika-29 ng Setyembre, 2007, ipinagdiwang ng simbahang katolika ang ika-20 anibersaryo ng pagiging santo ni Lorenzo. Sa sermon ni Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales, kanyang sinabi “Kahit saan nandoon ang mga Pilipino, ang katapatan sa Diyos ay dala-dala ng Pinoy (Wherever the Filipino may go, he carries his faith in God).”
Malaking kahalagahan para sa ating lahat dito sa parokya ang taong 1987 hindi lamang sa canonization ni Lorenzo. Noong ika-4 ng Setyembre 1987, isang buwan bago si Lorenzo nahirang na santo, sa isang banal na misang pinamunuan ng Kabunyihang Jaime Cardinal Sin, ay binasa ni Msgr. Alfonso Caparas, Vicar Forane, ang pahayag ng Vatican na nagtatalaga sa bagong ngalan ng ating parokya na San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish mula sa dating Church of the Resurrection.
Before the San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish came to be, locals of Barangay Culiat celebrated masses in a small chapel on the grounds of Culiat High School, under the spiritual guidance of Reverend Father Eugenio E. Robles. In 1983, several locals from Barangay Culiat decided that a new place of worship was needed to support their growing Catholic community.
A group of dedicated Catholics called the Prime Movers spearheaded the project of constructing a building that would serve as their new place of worship. Mrs. Pura Ledesma offered her property in Tierra Verde Homes and it was there that the new church would be built.
Mr. Moises Pardo, Jr. led the creation of the Culiat Pastoral Council on March 4, 1983. Committees were formed and a request to position the new building as a parish was sent. News about the building of a new parish spread through fund raising drives and information campaigns via television by the late Mr. Dino Aguirre and through radio by Ms. Nova Villa.
In order to have a juridical personality, the Culiat Pastoral Council was incorporated on March 20, 1983. This was drafted by Atty. Rene Kare. On April 3, 1983, the Culiat Pastoral Diary was created where the Catholic locals posted developments.
Finally on May 8, 1983, the first Sunday Mass was held at the new parish, The Church of the Resurrection. Several fund raising projects were organized as building permits were secured. A group of energetic and enterprising Catholics started their labor of love on January 15, 1984 by fixing the church’s structure. The first inaugural mass was held on February 12, 1984 at the old chapel in Culiat High School, the old site of The Church of the Resurrection. This was officiated by Father Thomas Nechikat, O.S.A. who became the newly appointed parish priest. On Easter Sunday of March 1984, the old chapel in Culiat High School was formally closed and the image of the resurrected Jesus Christ was transferred to the new site.
On April 8, 1984, the Culiat Pastoral Council elected a new set of Board of Directors and Officers with Mr. Napoleon Abueva as President. Ms. Luz Hizon supervised the funding for the chapel, sacristy, office and the convent. Father Robles allowed celebration of baptismal rites on June 16, 1986.
Birth of San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish
Barangay Culiat was proclaimed a parish on August 15, 1987 with the following territorial jurisdiction: areas bounded on the north-south western boundaries of the Parish of Our Lady of Consolation and creek between Tierra Verde and Philand Village, on the east by proposed Congressional Avenue Extension, on the south by the western perimeter fence of Tandang Sora Avenue, and on the west by Visayas Avenue, including the entire area of Old Balara.
When Father Thomas left the country, Father Lauro "Larry" Toledo replaced him as parish priest. On August 21, 1987, the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) followed-up with Msgr. T. Ramirez to request for a new Patron Saint. In honor of the first Filipino Saint, the new parish was eventually renamed SAN LORENZO RUIZ PARISH (SLRP).
On September 4, 1987, during the high mass celebrated by the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, the Decree naming the church San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish was read by Msgr. Alfonso Caparas, Vicar Forane. Father Larry was also installed as the new parish priest.
Since then, the SLRP became busy with the creation of new activities. Mandated organizations like the Mother Butler Guild, Apostleship of Prayer, Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus, Marriage Encounter, and others were formed. Father Larry went around the 42 areas covered by the parochial boundaries to celebrate mass. With the empowerment of the laity, the PPC was strengthened with its then President, Dr. Eusebio Paglinawan, Jr. who embarked on many projects like Pamaskong Handog and participated in national and local elections through the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV). Bigger and More Active Parish Church
The dream of building a bigger church structure never ceased. Fund raising projects were organized by the Knights of Columbus as the number of parishioners continued to increase.
On March 11, 1990, a ceremony was held for the creation of a bigger, more beautiful SLRP Church. Several parishioners offered their services in order to prepare for the construction of the new building. Through the supervision and funding of benefactor Ms. Luz Hizon, the new building was finished in 1992. Sadly, before the new SLRP Church was blessed and inaugurated, Father Larry was transferred to another parish.
From 1994 to 1996, Father Rolando “Rollie” Petronio, the appointed parish priest during that time, initiated the establishment of the Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC). To intensify spiritual formation, Sunday Masses were conducted in depressed areas, assisted by Father Joseph Visperas and Father Paul Karedan, guest priest from India. Church movements were started including the Parish Renewal Experience (PREX).
Under the able leadership of PPC President Aty. Fernando Mangubat, Jr., Catholic Life in the Spirit Seminars (CLSS) were conducted twice a year and weekly Charismatic Prayer Meetings were started with the guidance of the Bukas Loob sa Diyos Covenant Community. He also established the Pastoral Care Foundation of SLRP Inc. to raise funds for the construction of a new multi-purpose building but was later shifted in helping to repair, upkeep, and improve the church and its facilities.
During the last year of Father Rollie’s incumbency, Ms. Catalina Feliciano was elected President of the PPC and she continued the projects started by her predecessor. Guest priests were invited to assist the parish priest during liturgical celebrations. After his term, Father Rollie was replaced by Father Percival “Val” de Vera.
Father Val arrived on November 15, 1996 at the parish but he was formally installed on February 15, 1997. Ms. Feliciano continued organizing events for the parish like Pamaskong Handog, Alay kay San Lorenzo Ruiz. She also started a monthly newsletter and assisted Father Val during the activities for the Jubilee Year 2000. She spearheaded a two-day planning session held at Mariapolis, Tagaytay City, where she and her team formed the Vision, Mission, and Goal of SLRP. Among the projects during the planning session was the creation of the three Parish Pastoral Councils: (1) Planning Council with Mr. Delfy Geraldez as president; (2) Implementing and Coordinating Council with Ms. Cecil Jimenez as president; and (3) Finance Council with Ms. Connie Castro as president. The officers for the councils were installed on September 21, 1997.
Father Val was transferred to another parish in October 2000 and Father Alex Ver took over and served as parish priest until June 2001.
SLRP under the Diocese of Novaliches
From June 2001 to September 2002, Father Nelson Orqueta became the fourth parish priest of SLRP. Aside from the traditional liturgical celebrations, he intensifed the spiritual formation of parishioners. During his tenure, the decree dividing the Archdiocese of Manila into six dioceses took efect. The 36 areas to the left of Tandang Sora Avenue were placed under the Diocese of Cubao, while the remaining six areas to the right side of Tandang Sora Avenue were placed under the Diocese of Novaliches.
In September 28, 2001, a petition letter signed by the SLRP parishioners to have a dialogue with Bishop Soc Villegas was sent in the hopes of reclaiming the divided areas. However, nothing happened to the request and in September 2002, Father Emmanuel “Pong” del Rosario took over as parish priest.
Father Pong, a young and newly ordained priest, was assigned as the sixth parish priest of SLRP. He instituted reforms, embarked on several projects to improve the church. He held unique liturgical celebrations, seminars, spiritual formations and actively pursued the establishment of the BEC and PREX. The SLRP, though it became much smaller, became more alive, encouraging others to be active members in the parish, including those whose areas were divided. Father Pong also designed and launched the new SLRP Logo and revived the publication of the parish newsletter. Assisted by a one-council set of officers headed by Mr. Al Yap, they formed the 14-member Advisory Council which was initially organized to assist Father Pong regarding the history and past activities done by the parish. An evaluation and planning conference was held in Baguio from February 4 to 6, 2005 to formulate the Vision and Mission Statement of the Parish.
When Father Pong started his stewardship in SLRP, the wounds of segregation within the parish was still fresh owing to its division into two areas - the bigger area becoming part of the Diocese of Cubao and the smaller area becoming part of the newly created Diocese of Novaliches where the parish now belonged. With the handing down of the Canonical Decree, 37 areas of the parish to the south of Tandang Sora Avenue were annexed to the Parish of Mt. Carmel in Project 6 while the remaining 5 areas were left with San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish. It was to the credit of Father Pong that he continued to welcome wholeheartedly all parishioners who were disenfranchised and opened the parish to all who would like to serve the parish. In time , they returned and served in the parish. The parish started to grow once more and people became more involved in its activities. Inspite of the reduction in size, it never became a barrier for people to make the parish alive. Soon, the parish grew with its rich liturgical celebrations, community activities and devotion to the faith.
Buhay, Mulat, Kumikilos
Under the stewardship of Father Pong, there were many visible changes, projects and reforms implemented in the parish. First among these was the beautification of the church. With the support of the parishioners and lay leaders, the Baptistry and the Altar of San Lorenzo Ruiz were erected and eventually blessed by Bishop Soc Villegas in September 2003. Over the years, there were other improvements in the church including the new sound system, paintings dedicated to the Holy Trinity and to the four Evangelists, the Garden of the Unborn, the Garden of the Resurrection, the Altar of Saint Joseph and the Adoraton Chapel. More than the physical improvements, liturgical celebrations became more colorful. Combining his modern style with the conservative traditions, Father Pong put more of his time in the training and disciplining of the different ministries involved in liturgical worship. He introduced the High Mass as a regular Sunday feature at the 10:00am and 6:30pm schedules. Area masses were revived as a regular activity during special occasions like the fiesta and May Flower festivities. Colorful traditions and church rituals on Holy Week, Parish Fiesta and Christmas gave life to liturgical and community celebrations. In additon, the church began to take a central role in outreach projects such as the Christmas Giving Tree, Parish Family Day, and Parish Outreach.
In social outreach, the Mothers’ Butler Guild undertook a number of livelihood projects. These included the Dressmaking and Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) seminars for the parishioners. With the PPC, the parish organized fund raising projects such as the Tianggehan sa San Lorenzo and Baratillo sales. Through the Knights of Columbus, the Heart Alert project was launched to encourage health consciousness among the parishioners.
The Youth also had their different projects such as the SPA (Songs, Prayers and Adoraton) or Taize, Summer Art Workshops and the Summer Sportsfest, more popularly known as the AKA or parish without borders.
Under his term, Father Pong took great effort in uniting the parish. He allowed PREX to resume in December 2004. He led in two key strategic parish activities. The first was the three-day seminar worshop in June 2003 held in Antipolo where the Parish Pastoral Council was formed with Kuya Al Yap as the PPC Coordinator and Ate Cecile Jimenez as head of the Finance Council. The second was the parish evaluation and planning conference in February 2005 where the vision and mission statements of the parish were crafted. In June 5, 2007, after serving in the parish for almost five years, Father Pong bid farewell as he took on his new assignment as the parish priest of the Parish of the Epiphany in Camarin, Caloocan. Coming of Age
In that same month, the new steward in the person of Father Bienvenido “Luke” Dobles, who was then on his twelfth year in the priesthood, arrived in the parish. He was installed on December 9, 2007 in a formal ceremony officiated by the Most Reverend Father Antonio R. Tobias, the Bishop of Novaliches. He took on his responsibilities as the seventh parish priest of SLRP. Together with his installation, Father Luke formally inducted the new officers of the Parish Pastoral Council led by Kuya Toti and Ate Cora Mangubat as Chaircouple. He was the former parish priest of San Isidro Labrador in Capri, Novaliches.
Father Luke wasted no time in getting down to work. He conducted numerous meetings with the different ministries and organizatons. As a formator, his main focus are on spiritual formation and the building of the parish community as Church. His first project was to let the people know, especially the parishioners, of their parish history. This was done through a narration using audio-visuals. SLRP’s rich history was presented in all Sunday masses over a four-week period immediately prior to the parish fiesta in 2007.
With his thrust on “being Church”, Father Luke has been at the forefront of activities that helped develop the spirituality of the parishioners. He is active in both area and parish activities, such as devotional processions, street masses and the pilgrimage to Antipolo. In August 2008, the parish launched its Sunday School catechetical classes with the objective to inculcate the basic church teachings to children. He also introduced the Parish Night where parish workers come together and enjoy themselves while participating in songs, dances and plays organized by the different ministries and organizations.
Social services, politcal awareness and restorative justice endeavors began to prosper. Substantive involvement in the Barangay Elections of 2007 were done through seminars and political fora held in the parish. The visit to the New Bilibid Prison in February 2008 gave a chance for the volunteer parishioners to interact with prisoners in Muntinlupa. The Pondo ng Pinoy, the diocesan-wide outreach for the marginalized society, was launched on August 31, 2008.
During his tenure, the parish celebrated its coming of age, it’s 21st founding anniversary in September 2008. The parish had its new sacristy and oratory blessed by Bishop Tobias. For the first time in the history of SLRP, the Youth Ministry presented a drama on the life of our patron saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz.
In May 2009, the SSDM launched its own Hapag-asa feeding program, where about 30 malnourished children from our marginalized communities were fed lunch daily for six months, as part of its commitment to help alleviate the conditions of the urban poor in the parish. This was followed by a second feeding program in March 2010 with more than 60 children enrolled in the program.
In April 2010, the Parish Pastoral Council had its new chaircouple in the persons of Kuya Cesar and Ate Mayette Tiongson. Immediately the new PPC had its hands full with a number of projects and activities. Foremost in its order of battle was the historic automated elections of May 2010 and the parish's strong involvement, through its PPCRV arm, in ensuring honest, orderly and peaceful elections.
As an administrator, Father Luke also brought order to the finances of the parish where strong control and disciplined management of expenses helped pay off the parish debts in a year’s time.
VISION Ang San Lorenzo Ruiz ay isang parokya ng mga Kristiyanong buhay, mulat at kumikilos.
MISSION Sa biyaya ng Panginoon at patnubay ng Banal na Espiritu, ang parokya ng San Lorenzo Ruiz ay nangangakong:
BUBUHAYIN ang: - makabuluhang pagbabahaginan sa Salita ng Diyos; - mapanlikhang pagdiriwang ng Misa; - pagpapalalim at pagpapatibay ng kapatiran.
MUMULATIN ang: - pag-aaral at pagninilay sa Salita ng Diyos; - paghuhubog hinggil sa mga aral ng Simbahan; - pag-aaral at pagsusuri tungkol sa usapin at mga isyung panglipunan.
PAKIKILUSIN ang: - pakikibaka para sa katarungan; - pagbubuo ng mga programang tatangkilik sa kabuuan ng tao; - pangangalaga at pagpapayaman sa Inang Kalikasan.
Ang bayang Pilipino Ngayon ay nagsasaya. Isang sugo sa langit Tayo ay mayroon na. Salamat sa Maykapal Sa banal na biyaya. Tinanghal ng daigdig, Kayumangging dakila.
Purihin ka Lorenzo At ‘yong mga kasama. Alagad ng Maykapal Sagisag ng pag-asa. Sa rosaryo ng Birhen kami’y iyong kasama. Iyo ang aming puso Lorenzo de Manila.
Ipagbunyi rin natin Mga kasamang martir. Sa lupa at sa langit Sila ay dadakilain. Salamat sa Maykapal Sa banal na biyaya. Tinanghal ng daigdig Kayumangging dakila.
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