The Christmas Eve Mass

The coming of the Christ child is the culmination of all the preparation during Advent and the long sacrifice of nine days of Simbang Gabi. Unlike all previous celebrations of Christmas Eve, this year's event included a number of new things.

First was the ceremonial burning of the small pieces of paper, representing the wishes and desires of the parishioners for this Christmas, which started the eucharistic celebration. This is the first time this was done.

And then came the Panunuluyan. This year's Panunuluyan differed from the traditional re-enactment of the search for a place where Mary can give birth which was done the past years. This year's Panunuluyan was simple compared to previous years but still as solemn and meaningful. A representative each from almost all ministries and organizations in the parish formed two lines in the main aisle. During the part where the Gloria or Papuri was sung, the image of the baby Jesus was passed on to each representative starting from the church entrance until it was received by the PPC Coordinator, Kuya Toti who gave it to Father Luke who then raised the image of the child Jesus for one and all to adore. After the Papuri, the baby Jesus was placed in the manger.

After the communion service, a group from the Youth representing a number of ministries, performed a lights-out hand mime interpreation of the song Who Am I? popularized by the religious band called Casting Crowns. With all the performers wearing black costumes and white gloves, they mimed the song using their white gloves to form symbols, objects and words in bringing out the message of the song.

Towards the end of the mass, an audio-visual powerpoint presentation of the Ondoy calamity that affected the parish was played juxtaposed against the Community Night celebration in the beginning of December. It was a pictorial story showing how the parish, through its communitarian spirit, can rise up from disaster, overcome bitter adversities, and end up triumphant, with God's blessings and graces. This pictorial journey was set against the song You've Got A friend, popularized by the rock artist of the 70s, James Taylor.

So ends this Christmas journey for San Lorenzo, a journey of challenges and triumphs, much like the birth of Jesus some 2000 years past which heralded the triumph of good amidst all the evil in the world.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Read full story

Music Ministry Serenades Parishioners on Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve this year is a refreshing change from previous celebrations. A number of new things were introduced. For one there was this Christmas serenade, commonly known as caroling, which was performed by all the different choir groups that make up the Music Ministry of the parish. There were five major choir groups, namely the Himig Sanlo, Couples for Christ, Apostleship of Prayer, Enzo and Gospel Choirs. They regaled the congregation with their own lively rendition of Christmas carols as a fitting start to the Christmas Eve celebration. Garbed in their different and colorful attire, they filled the air with festive and joyous arias, warming up the atmosphere of an otherwise cool evening.

Read full story

Bishop Tobias Officiates Simbang Gabi Mass

On the anticipated mass for the eighth day of the Christmas novena, Bishop Tobias was the main celebrant. He arrived early for mass and mingled with the parish leaders during dinner at the parish convent.

At 8PM, he led the parishioners in the celebration of the high mass. During his homily, the bishop enlgihtened the parishioners on the meaning of Christmas for us. He said that there are three comings of Christ. The first was two thousand years ago when the Savior was born in Bethlehem. The second will be the Lord's return at the end times. But according to Bishop Tobias, it is at this time, the third coming, that the true meaning of Christmas becomes a realization for all believers. It is this time when we accept Christ into our hearts as we prepare to celebrate the Lord's birth some 2000 years past.

Before the mass ended, Father Luke led the congregation in prayer for the continued spiritual guidance of the Bishop over his flock in the Diocese of Novaliches as the latter celebrated the 44th sacerdotal anniversary of his priesthood. After the mass the bishop received the wellwishes of his flock in San Lorenzo.

Read full story

Father Luke Celebrates Birthday Mass

Last December 21, Father Luke celebrated his 52nd birthday. During the dawn mass, the parishioners, led by Ate Lulu Visaya, prayed for Father's good health and blessings. The parishioners also prayed for his continued consecration to the priesthood, for his unwavering and steadfast dedication to his vocation and for forgiveness for their shortcomings. In response, Father Luke thanked the parishioners of San Lorenzo for their continuing support for him and his ministry. He also sought forgiveness from the congregation for his failings and shortcomings. He prayed that the parish of San Lorenzo, in time, may be one.

Read full story

SLRP Celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Early in the morning of December 8, when most of the surroundings was still dark, a different kind of procession was held in the parish as a humble offering to Mary on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. A penitential procession, where the participants walked barefoot, wound through the streets of Tierra Verde I. Unlike the monthly dawn procession, held every first Saturday of the month as a devotion to Mary, the penitential procession was the parish's way of humbling itself in honor of Mary's purity and virginity. Walking barefoot reveals our nakedness and our vulnerability to sin and temptation. Offering these to Mary is our humble way of acknowledging our imperfection and of seeking her help to strengthen our faith.

The procession was immediately followed by the Holy Mass at 6AM. Another mass was also held at 630PM in the evening.

Read full story

Libera Sings Bayan Ko

In their recent concert at the PICC, the London-based children's singing group Libera brought the house down with their angelic and heartwarming rendition of Bayan Ko, a local protest song. Here's Libera singing Bayan Ko.

Read full story