Novaliches Diocese Holds Youth Jamboree

By Kuya Jet Yap

The Diocese of Novaliches held a Youth Jamboree at the Santuario de San Vicente Church from 6PM of June 4 to 6AM of June 5. The aim of the said event was to unify the catholic youth of our diocese, and to strengthen bonds between vicariates. Each parish in the diocese sent about 20 participants.

The event started with prayers and songs. The first half of the consisted of some lay persons who shared their experiences on how they started serving in the church and how they became better servants and better people after they got to know Jesus. This was interspersed with some musical numbers which included a hand mime by the Youth of Sto. Niño Parish.

A concelebrated mass followed at 1130 PM with Bishop Antonio Tobias presiding. This mass ended at 1 AM and there was a short snack after the mass after which the lighter side of the program followed -- presentations from the different youth and religious groups. The jamboree closed with a prayer in taize form, with each participant holding a lit candle. It was quite a sight to behold: hundreds of flickering candles and voices raised as one in thanksgiving for a fruitful evening.

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Para sa ‘yo, Padre!

By Kuya Cesar and Ate Mayette Tiongson

We know that the shepherd takes care of his flock, but have you heard of the sheep honoring their shepherd? Well, they did, last June 4 when the five parishes under the Vicariate of San Isidro Labrador gave tribute to their parish priests. The tribute, dubbed “Para Sa ‘yo, Padre”, was the culminating activity of the year-long celebration honoring our priests. The fellowship was held at Bulwagang Recolletos of Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Mira-Nila Homes and was filled with music, dance, food, and fun from 7:00PM to 10:00PM.

San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish gave its “best” through a dance number. With the music of Janet Jackson’s “Together Again”, imagine the PPC officers together with Fr Luke cracking the floors of the hall. “Walang sinabi ang sex bomb dancers.” We take our hats off to to Ate Aida and Ate Bel for their patience in teaching us the steps. The group really tried its best.

As with the other parishes, we also presented photo clips of Father Luke, from his childhood days to the most recent activities in our parish. We then handed to him a token gift and an appreciation card.

Before the night ended, each priest gave a short message in response to his parish’s tribute. For his part, Fr Luke said “Tonight the parishioners of San Lorenzo gave you a dance number. We might be out of tune with the music, our steps might be going in different directions, and our hands not meeting at the right time, but we are proud that we finished our number as one.”

Yes Father, we will always try to finish all our numbers TOGETHER and we will always finish it with grace, just like what we did on the dance floor.

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Day Camp for Confirmants: A Day to Remember!

By Ate Cora Pangyarihan

On June 1, 2010 a day camp was held for those confirmed last May 8. Forty of them walked from SLRP to the Servants of Charity House of Formation (Blessed Guanelle Center) in Philand. They were accompanied by the volunteer catechists, some sisters and novices from the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Queen of the Apostles (SRA), volunteers from the Youth Ministry, and volunteers from the Diocese of Novaliches. Energized by the breakfast served by the organizers after the registration, the day started with an opening prayer through a song with animation. After the opening prayer, Fr. Dong from the Servants of Charity introduced the Center and its formation program.

Hosted by Ate Cora and Kuya Jeff Joves from the Vicariate of St. Peter, the program for the day led towards one goal: Getting to Know Themselves and their neighbor. The children were given dynamics to get to know each other and make them work together as a group or a team. In between activities, the facilitators and animators danced to the songs “Awit ng Kabataan” and “Humayo’t Ihayag”.

At mid-morning, Sister Merriam (SRA) gave a talk on Personhood. The talk ended just in time for the Lunch Dynamics which stirred up some of the participants. It was interesting to see how they interacted and related with each other especially in sharing what they had. During the reflection after the lunch dynamics, some of them expressed what they felt, and shared their realizations on the activity. Some burst into tears, some were very vocal. All tears and bad feelings however were washed away when the last Group Dynamics started. Cheering and laughter filled the open grounds of the Guanellian Center as the participants encouraged each other.

The day ended at around 4PM with a send-off Mass officiated by Fr. Luke Dobles. Although it was only held for one day, the campers had learned a lot, had lots of fun, and had found new friends. Indeed, it was a day worth remembering!

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SLRP Graduates PREX #91 Batch

June 13 - PREX #91 batch finally graduates. Two weekends after their weekend seminar last May 28-30, 2010 ended, the latest batch were given their certificates of completion after completing two more talks over two Sundays. Now they are full fledged workers of the parish. This latest batch of 21 graduates, most of whom were young adults, represents the eagerness of the younger generation to be involved in parish activities. The coordinators for this batch were Ate Tess and Kuya Jerry Zenit and ably assisted by the assistant coordinators Ate Beth and Kuya Henry Bayhon with the support of Batch 90 graduates.

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SLRP Honors Mama Mary

May 30 - On this last Sunday of May, the parish of SLRP culminated the month-long devotion to Mama Mary with a flower offering to the image of the Virgin Mary. During the 6:30PM High Mass in honor of the Blessed Mother, the parishioners, led by Fr. Luke and the catechists, venerated the image of the Virgin with a flower procession participated in by the parishioners while the choir sang a solemn and heartwarming rendition of the song Memorare.

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Pilgrimage To Antipolo

By Kuya Peter Tamayo

What a journey it had been --- a walk of over 20 kilometers, spanning 8 hours, from SLRP Parish in Quezon City to Antipolo Cathedral in Antipolo City!

Last May 21, 2010, fifty one SLRP Parishioners, a mix of young, teenagers, and adults alike, joined the annual pilgrimage to our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo. It was an exciting moment for the participants as we gathered in prayer at around 9:00 in the evening, to pay tribute to the Lady of Antipolo. To the participants, it meant a test of one’s physical and spiritual attributes – that of being able to complete the walk and be able to offer a sacrifice through walking for the many favors we have received. For those in their 40s and up, myself included, it was an added test of stamina to withstand a rigorous hike, particularly on the last uphill climb to the cathedral!

We stopped in gas stations along the way and prayed the rosary. Specifically, we asked for protection from our Lady of Antipolo to keep us away from harm as we continued our journey to Antipolo in the wee hours of the morning. While walking, some silently prayed and asked favors to the miraculous Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. Personally, I asked for the safe travel of my family.

The walk revealed some innate traits of our parishioners. The spirit of “damayan” was evident from the participants who willingly shared their snacks and drinks to others who forgot to bring some food provisions with them. Likewise, there were those who accompanied and stood close to those participants who were tired and on the verge of quitting, and gave them encouragement to continue walking! In our own life, we have likely traversed smooth and bumpy paths. But during those times when life seemed to be difficult, we were encouraged to go on through the prodding of our friends, relatives and our co-parishioners. We find strength from these people around us who are more than willing to extend a helping hand in our times of need.

To those who have prepared, the journey was almost like a leisurely walk; to others, it was a struggle. For instance, Fr. Luke, a fitness buff, kept a fast and pace all throughout the walk. Most of us could not cope up with him. This brings to mind the truism that the ease or difficulty of a task depends on the preparation we exert prior to the activity. Some primed themselves with a regular jog prior to the walk to Antipolo and they walked with ease despite the upward climb. Others prepared by wearing the appropriate walking shoes, and so they avoided blisters on their feet. Indeed we can avoid some difficulties and inconveniences in life if we ourselves make an extra effort to prepare.

The walk was capped with the celebration of the mass by Fr. Luke at 6:00 am the following day, May 22. Several SLRP parishioners served and attended the mass which was followed by a simple salo-salo. Everyone went home happy and fulfilled having offered a sacrifice to the Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. Hopefully other parishioners will join the walk next year and feel a different bonding experience with SLRP parishioners. For those who have already joined, let’s continue to pay our devotion to our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage as we constantly ask for her intercession for inner peace in ourselves, our family, our community and our country -– that much-needed peace as we continue our journey through the different highways of our lives!

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Novaliches Diocesan Youth Leadership Training: Experiencing True Leadership

By Ate Cora Pangyarihan

Four youths from SLRP – Cora Pangyarihan, Jenny Ragua, Arlene Trinidad and Jet Yap joined other youths from the other parishes of the Diocese of Novaliches in a three-day camp at the Oasis of Prayer Retreat House in Silang, Cavite last May 21. We departed at around 9AM and arrived at 1PM. Once there, we were reminded of the house rules and were assigned our cabins which would be our home for the next three days. Given just enough time to rest and unpack our things, we headed straight to the Pavilion where Fr. Lando Jaluag gave us an overview of the program and introduced us to the Training Committee. The rest of the day was filled with “Getting To Know You” activities and composing cheer songs to be presented later that evening. After an early dinner, we were given time to freshen up and rehearse for the cheering competition. The evening was full of energy, as the 10 groups presented what they had rehearsed just a few hours earlier. After the two-hour cheering competition, we headed to the open grounds for the Bonfire/Passion Talk. We we honored by the presence of Mr. Bon Manalaysay, the founder of the Dynamic Teen Company and mentor of Efren Penaflorida, the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year Awardee. Mr. Manalaysay brought two of his students who shared their life experiences and struggles before finding a bright future with the Dynamic Teen Company. The first day ended at 12MN with reflection and taize.
Day 2 was again packed with activities. Even lunch was an execise in selflessness. After lunch, the body was again divided into groups and buckled down to work on some serious topics: mobilization, spiritual formation, social entrepreneurship, volunteer management and project management. In the evening Bro. Zandro Villanueva took over. He had everyone doubled over in laughter but he also successfully brought across realizations in leadership. This was followed by the washing of the feet where we relived the time Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, symbolic of a leader being first of all a servant. Day 2 ended with everyone showcasing his/her talent at Talent Night.
Our opening prayer for the day was unique and interesting on the third day. It paved the way for the activities scheduled for that day. We had a mass later in the afternoon. Our three-day stay ended with a camp thanksgiving and burning of our letters to God. We departed Silang at 9PM and arrived at St. Peter’s at 12MN. We achieved the goals laid out for us at the camp: to be sevants first in order to lead.

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