The Church Begins A New Liturgical Year

SLRP marked the new liturgical year last November 27 with the theme Maranatha (Come O Lord). It was also in a simple ceremony during the mass that the advent wreath was blessed and the first candle was lighted to mark the beginning of the four weeks of preparation for the coming of our Lord. With the season of Advent, the Church begins the liturgical year with the end in mind where Christ our King rules over all with justice, peace and harmony.

Maranatha (either מרנא תא; maranâ' thâ' or מרן אתא; maran 'athâ' ) is an Aramaic phrase occurring once only in the New Testament (see Aramaic of Jesus) and also in the Didache which is part of the Apostolic Fathers' collection. It is transliterated into Greek letters rather than translated, and is found at the end of Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians (1 Cor 16:22) . The NRSV translates it as: "Our Lord, come!" but notes that it could also be translated as: "Our Lord has come"; the NIV translates: "Come, O Lord"; the NAB notes:

"As understood here ("O Lord, come!"), it is a prayer for the early return of Christ. If the Aramaic words are divided differently (Maran atha, "Our Lord has come"), it becomes a credal declaration. The former interpretation is supported by what appears to be a Greek equivalent of this acclamation in Rev 22:20 "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!""

Taken From Wikipedia

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SLRP Remembers the Dead

This year's month-long remembrance of the dead began with the commemoration of All Saints Day last November 1 with special mass celebrations for the dead. The Worship Ministry, in collaboration with the Parish Youth Ministry, constructed a mini-columbary. Small matchbox-size compartments were overlayed on a black wooden cross. Here the faithful placed the list of their dead relatives and friends and these were prayed over in all masses during the month of November. The mini-columbary was placed inside the church instead of in the Garden of the Resurrection outside the church as was the practice in previous years. On the fourth Sunday of November, when the parish traditionally prays for all those who died and those who celebrate their death anniversaries for the month, all the "columbary" niches were emptied and the lists of the departed relatives were burned in a special ceremony during all masses.

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Renewal Of Commitment by Parish Workers

In a fitting affirmation of Christ as the King of the Universe, SLRP parish workers and parishioners held an overnight vigil and procession in honor last November 20-21. The activities begun with the procession of the Blessed Sacrament from the parish church to the convent of the Sister Adorers of the Blood of Christ immediately after the anticipated mass. Upon arrival and after the opening prayer led by Fr. Luke, the overnight vigil began with the different ministries and organizations in the parish assigned an hour of adoration.

At about 2PM of the following day, the Christ the King procession began its journey through the five different areas of the parish. Led by the altar servers, the different ministries and organizations and the parishioners, the 2-hour procession wend its way through Tierra Verde II, St. Dominic IV, UP Professors Subdivision, Dona Faustina Village I, Cruz Compound and finally through Tierra Verde I. The presentation of the lifesize image of the Christ the King and the Blessed Sacrament to all the areas of the parish as the king of the parish was the focal point of the procession.

After the procession, the parish. led by its PPC Chaircouple, Kuya Cesar and Ate Mayette Tiongson, made its act of consecration to Christ the King. This was followed by the renewal of commitment to serve by the parish workers which was led by Fr. Luke in his role as the parish priest and pastor of SLRP.

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Alay kay San Lorenzo

Alay kay San Lorenzo

by Ate Ruby Almazan

Coordinator, SLRP Education Ministry

O mahal naming San Lorenzo,
Dakilang Patron ng Lahing Pilipino,
Langit ang Siyang pumili,
Upang alagaan Liping Kayumanggi.

Ikaw ang ginawang Tagapamatnubay,
Dito sa aming mahabang Paglalakbay,
Upang Siyang maging Gabay,
At mapanuto n'yaring mga Buhay

Ikaw ay naging Matapat,
Kung manalangin ay maluwat,
Sa Inang Birhen na Maawain,
Sa mga namimintuho't nanalangin.

Katapangan mo'y walang kapantay,
Tiniis pagsubok sa Dakilang Buhay,
Nawika pang, "Makalilibo man mag-uli,
Sariling Buhay ay iaalay lagi."

Kaya naman ipinagkaloob ng Langit,
Tingalain ka, at alayan ng awit
Mga sakripisyo't mga dalit,
Maging daluyan, Grasya ng Langit.

Dito sa lugar na takdang inilayon,
Upang Ikaw ngayon ang aming Patron,
Katuwang sa matinding paghamon,
Dulot ng magulo at makabagong panahon,

Kaisa ka namin sa lungkot at tuwa,
Kasagutan naman sa mga namamanata,
Kaya nga't lagi kaming panatag,
sa panahon ng ligalig at bagabag.

Kaya ngayon sa iyong Kapistahan,
Kabi- kabila ang sayaw at kantahan,
Mainit at masigabong palakpakan,
Larawan ng tuwa't Kasayahan.

Dakila ka O San Lorenzo,
Ipinabubunyi ng mga Pilipino,
Kami ngayon ay Nanalangin,
Pasasalamat namin ay Tanggapin.

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