This year's Christmas giving project was a bigger success comparing it to last year's similar endeavor. A total of 263 families benefited from the project, well over the 160 recipient families of last year. In a marked departure from previous years where parishioners picked from a Christmas tree the items they will be donating, this year the parish listed out the items that were thought to be what one would like to find in a Christmas basket. It included spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, rice, cheese, powdered milk, powdered juice, noodles, sausages, corned beef, coffee, sugar and sardines. Cash was also accepted. All these were made ready for distribution on the morning of Christmas Eve through the hardworking men and women of the Social Services and Development Ministry of the parish.
Through the generosity of the parishioners, more families were given the chance to experience Christ's kindness and warmth this Yuletide season.
After the 9-day Simbang Gabi novena masses, the faithful of San Lorenzo finally saw the completion of the traditional Panunuluyan. Taking on a different approach, the Parish Youth Ministry made this year's Panunuluyan into a 9-part telenovela which was shown in the dawn masses. Each day of the novena a short 5-minute film clip was shown depicting the challenges faced by the youth in their search for meaning and purpose in their lives paralleling Joseph and Mary's search for a "room in the inn" where the child Jesus was to be born.
The Panunuluyan culminated with a live interpretative presentation of Joseph and Mary's journey of finding the manger where the Light of the World was born.
In the spirit of giving this Yuletide season, SLRP held its first Christmas outreach by organizing a haircut day for the marginalized children of the parish. Dubbed "Libreng Gupit 2010", hair salons and barber shops in the parish came together and donated the services of some of its hairdressers and barbers for free last December 22. With its theme "Pagbubuklod para sa Kalinisan at Kabanalan ng Kabataan", this was the Alliance of Salon Owners & Staff way of thanking the parish and its parishioners for their support and patronage throughout the years.
The project was participated in by 10-14 Salon, CCN Saloon, Jocyn Hair & Beauty Expert, Roberto's Barber Shop and Jean Romanos. For the parish's end, it was spearheaded by Ate Bing Lising together with the support of the Catechetical Ministry of SLRP.
Fr. Luke celebrated his 53rd birthday last December 21 with his parishioners. It was during the simbang gabi mass that the parishioners, led by Ate Lina Feliciano, offered him a prayer for his continued good health of mind, body and spirit. After the mass there was a simple almusalang bayan of pandesal, lugaw and hot coffee for everyone.
SIMBANG GABI is one of the longest and most popular among the Filipino traditions in the country. It is when Catholic churches across the nation start to open their doors shortly before the break of dawn to welcome the faithful to the Simbang Gabi mass. Simbang Gabi or Mass at Dawn is a nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother. The novena begins December 16 as early as 4 in the morning and culminates with the “Misa de Gallo” on Christmas Eve to welcome the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. In some churches, the panuluyan is reenacted showing the effort of Joseph and Mary to find a suitable birthplace.
ORIGIN
Simbang Gabi traces its roots in Mexico when, in 1587, the Pope granted the petition of Fray Diego de Soria, prior of the convent of San Agustin Acolman, to hold Christmas mass outdoors because the Church could not accommodate the huge number of people attending the evening mass.
During the old times, the pre-dawn mass is announced by the ringing of the church bells. In some rural areas, an hour before the start of Simbang Gabi, a brass band plays Christmas music all over the town. It is also believed that parish priests would go far knocking on doors to wake and gather the faithful to attend the misa de gallo. Farmers as well as fishermen wake up early to hear the Gospel before going to their work and ask for the grace of good harvest.
SIMBANG GABI NOW AND THEN
The changing of times does not break the preservation of celebrating Simbang Gabi although it is celebrated in new ways. Still, the tradition of Simbang Gabi continues. Part of it are the colorful lights and lanterns that fill every streets. Beautiful parols are hung in every window. Songs of the season are played everywhere to warm the hearts. Families, friends and even individuals find its way going to the nearest church to attend the nine-day novena. Shortly after the misa de gallo, families gather in their homes to celebrate Noche Buena and feasted on various delicacies like queso de bola, bibingka, puto bungbong, or a drink of salabat or hot chocolate.
SIGNIFICANCE
Simbang Gabi has become one of the most popular traditions in the country. But it is not just a tradition that is celebrated because we need to do so. It is a significant moment not only because it strengthens relationships among family members but also because it is the time where our faith is intensified. This is the time where we mostly feel the presence of the Lord because it is the spiritual preparation for Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. It does not matter if one has the stamina to complete the novena or not, what really matters is what is inside the heart. The blessing does not depend on the number of mass attended, but what is important is the disposition of the person who receives the Lord’s blessing.
Source: The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila Website
December 16, the start of the traditional Simbang Gabi, marked not only the annual commemoration of National Youth Day by the local church in the Philippines but this year also begins the yearlong program of awareness about the youth and and their importance to the life and activity of the Church. CBCP Episcopal Commission on the Youth Chairman and Legaspi Bishop Joel Baylon said "By our witness, let us help the young in our midst—in our homes, schools, communities, etc.—to find God in their lives and generously answer His call to service and love."
Fr. Luke called all the youth who attended the first simbang gabi masses to the altar and read a brief message from Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias exhorting them to walk the way of Christ and be active workers in church activities. He then asked the congregation to join him in praying for the youth and then he gave them his blessing.
On the first day of the Simbang Gabi novena masses for this year, the parish launched the Ministry of Ushers and Greeters (MUG), a new ministry that will help in welcoming and seating parishioners attending liturgical activities, especially the mass. Fr. Luke blessed the new members of the ministry during the mass.
The Vicariate of San Isidro Labrador, where SLRP belongs, held its Christmas Party this year at the parish hall of this year's host parish, Our Lady of the Anunciation Parish in Mindanao Avenue. There was sizeable representation from the different parishes which included Fr. Nonette Legaspi, the Vicar Forane and parish priest of Jesus, Lord of Divine Mercy Parish, Fr. Madz Lucero of Our Lady of Consolation Parish, Fr. Albert Delvo of San Isidro Labrador Parish and SLRP's Fr. Luke Dobles. The parish priests each gave their Christmas message.
There were group activities which included singing of Christmas songs, games and community dancing led by SLRP. As the evening ended, SLRP representatives gave Fr. Luke a Christmas gift.
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!""
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.
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.
Barely able to rest after the last poll duty in May of this year, the PPCRV was again called to service as the citizens' arm in the just concluded Synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections last October 25, 2010. Armed with its hopeful desire for positive political change and its objective determination for a clean and peaceful elections, some 50 or so volunteers gathered at the parish hall before sunrise to, once again, perform their volunteer duty. After the communion service for the volunteers and a hearty breakfast of adobo rice and egg, the volunteers were given their final briefing and precinct assignments just as the first rays of the sun brought in the new day. By quarter of six, the volunteers proceeded to the Culiat High School for active duty.
Upon arrival, the Volunteers Assistance Desk (VAD) was set up with the voters' lists, laptops and precinct directories made ready for the arrival of the electorate. After the courtesy call on the High School Principal, it was time for the Pollwatchers to proceed to their respective precincts to await the formal start of the election.
Soon as the bell sounded at 7 o'clock, the VAD went on full gear as it took on the early morning rush of voters. There were some confusion among the voters as some of them thought they were to vote in the same rooms they voted in during the national elections last May. For some this was so but for many there was a change of classroom. Majority of the voters came during the early morning but was not sustained. By mid-morning there was just the trickle of voters until the close of elections at 3:00PM. Overall, the conduct of the election was peaceful and orderly. Except for isolated cases of voter identity verification, missing voters' names, duplicate voter's name, the voting was generally successful. The voter turnout, at probably less than 30%, was quite low.
To all PPCRV Volunteers, congratulations on another job well done! May our tribe increase and spread to more parishioners. Until the next assignment, you all deserve a pat on the back and a celebration!
For this local election, the PPCRV set up its own unofficial computerized tally count. Soon as the canvassing began and the precinct count underway, the PPCRV did its own parallel canvassing. As each precinct completed its count, the assigned PPCRV pollwatcher got a copy of the voting results and forwarded it to the VAD where a computerized tally count was done. By 10:30PM, the last of the 60 or so precincts' results was entered and the unofficial election result immediately obtained. Here are the unofficial results of the PPCRV count:
BARANGAY CHAIRMAN
1 GARCIA, Jaime Puno 2320 2 BERNARDO, Victor Damaso 1978 3 MANIQUIZ, Rolando Muyot 301 4 MAPANDI, Halil Nuska 64
Almost a month after the fiesta, it was the the turn of the youth to showcase their skills in singing and dancing. On the evening of October 16, the PYM turned the church into their own musical theater and organized a night of praise and worship through songs and dances. All ministries and organizations where there were youth members participated in the musical extravaganza. There were numbers performed by the different choirs, from the Himig Sanlo Choir to Enzo Choir to the Gospel Choir. There were also choreographed dance numbers as the band belted out their numbers. The PYM of San Isidro Labrador presented an interpretative dance number that was welled applauded by the appreciative audience.
All in all, the night was a bit long but most of the youth went home filled with enjoyment and fulfillment at being given their special night that showcased a different side of SLRP PYM.
In commemoration of the feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz, which we celebrate every 28th of September, Fr. Luke as shepherd of a parish that bears the name of the first Filipino saint, was invited to celebrate holy mass at Radio Veritas. The mass, which was also attended by some twenty parishioners of SLRP, was celebrated at 12:15pm and was broadcast live nationwide on the Veritas station, 846Khz on the AM Band. It was simultaneously streamed live through the internet. Fr. Luke was assisted by Ates Aida Arines, Bel Geronimo and Lynn Dollente.
Last September 27, Bp. Antonio Tobias, together with representative clergies from the different parishes, led the celebration of the Holy Mass at the Our Lady of Consolation Parish Church in Mira Nila Homes during the opening day of the weeklong National Laity Week activities in the Diocese of Novaliches. Present also was a sizeable congregation representing the lay people from different parishes in the diocese headed by Sis. Lita Macalaguim, the incumbent Chairperson of the Council of the Laity of Novaliches (CLaN).
In his homily, the good bishop emphasized the relevance of the readings (Job 1:6-22) where Job lost everything he possessed - land, animals, and his children, yet he still continued to praise God. Further on, he relates this to the communal togetherness of the early Christian communities, where there was no distinction between matters pertaining to God and matters pertaining to man. He specifically instigated the congregation (especially the laity who serve in church) to be involved in all aspects of human endeavor, particularly the forthcoming political exercise, and not just keep themselves to church activities. The laity must be counted on to give of themselves in the coming elections.
On the part of the SLRP, a large delegation of more than 30 parishioners attended the mass, led by our parish priest, Fr. Luke, our PPC Chaircouple Kuya Cesar and Ate Mayette Tiongson, members of the PPC and the religious. The SLRP Grand Choir sang during the mass.
This year's fiesta high mass was different from fiesta masses celebrated in the past. For one, it was our Vicar Forane, Rev. fr. Nonette Legaspi, parish priest of the Jesus Lord of Divine Mercy parish in Mapaya Village, who presided the mass. Traditionally it is the Bishop of Novaliches.
The mass started with the entrance of the image of our patron San Lorenzo borne by lay ministers representatives with MBG ladies dancing in caracol fashion. This was followed by theprocession of the altar servers, the MOW lectors, the lay ministers and the priest presiders.
In his homily, Fr. Nonette delved on the spirit of the gospel reflecting on the contrast between the poor beggar Zaccheus and the rich man who feasted daily. As much as the message of the parable was implicit on the sins of omission and commission, its specific message centered on the sin of gluttony. As Fr. Nonette expounded on this, he presented the different forms of gluttony, which according to his homily, did not only mean eating too much. Gluttony can also be manifested in our excessive desires and wants which go beyond what we need. He exhorts the faithful to examine themselves and reflect on their lifestyles to see how each and everyone may have indulged in excess. In the end, he counsels all to temper their desires, take only what is needed and share with the less fortunate their extra blessings from the Lord.
After the mass, there was a hearty buffet of street food for one and all to partake in. "Oops! Didn't Fr. Nonette say temper one's desires?" Well maybe it's ok just this time. Happy fiesta everyone.
It was a bright sunny morning and a very memorable occasion as the parish celebrated its 23rd fiesta anniversary. Everyone came out in their native Filipino costumes to share with heaven and all the saints this glorious day. Dancing rhythmically the Caracol to the pounding of drums provided by the parish youth, everyone, young and old alike, gyrated their hips and swayed their bodies to the festive ati-atihan sounds as if telling everyone that "this is the day the Lord has made, let us all rejoice and be glad!"
The Caracol procession snaked its way around the parish under the glorious rays of the morning sun. This was followed by the generosity of benevolent parishioners and parish ministries and organizations as they shared local delicacies and kakanin to the famished delight of all participants.
As we looked back to a year ago when Typhoon Ondoy revealed to us nature's destructive power, this day, in contrast, showed God's all loving grandeur and kindness.
In the true spirit of bayanihan, the parish workers of SLRP gathered together last September 25 for a night of fun, enjoyment and entertainment. This is the parish' way of rewarding its workers for all the hard work and community building of the past year. Traditionally set for the eve of the parish fiesta, the same occasion marked the one year anniversary of the Ondoy tragedy.
The affair began with the celebration of the mass and the faithful's thanksgiving for all the blessings and graces the parish has been receiving from the Almighty. In most masses during the fiesta weekend, a 5-minute video presentation entitled Ondoy, which was specially prepared by the SLRP Ministry of Mass Media, was shown as a fitting reminder to all of our weaknesses and God's greatness. Fr. Luke, in his fiesta message, underscored the parish resilience and oneness as he recalled the parishioners' spontaneous response to the crisis of a year ago that helped strengthened the parish, physically and spiritually.
After the mass, the fun, pomp and pageantry began. In a 3-hour vaudavillesque extravaganza, the parish workers gave their all as they performed in a variety of musical numbers. Majority of the ministries and organizations counted themselves in as they performed the following: (1) Catechetical Ministry with their swinging dance number to the tune of Sway by Michael Buble, (2) the Junior Legionnaires with their angelic voices and interpretative song rendition, (3) the Block Rosary Crusade, with their dance number to the tune of Every Breath You Take, (4) the Apostleship of Prayer, with their Michael Jackson medleydance number, (5) the Social Services Development Ministry,with their dance number to the tune of Celebration, (6) the Mother Butler Guild, with their grass skirts and graceful bodies dancing to a remix of Pearly Shells-Tiny Bubbles, (7) the Ministry of the Word, with their fastbeat dance number cum fashion show, (8) the Parish Pastoral Council, with their 80s remix dance number of Uptown Girl-Footloose, (9) the Couples For Christ, with their dance number to the tune of Crazy Little Thing called Love, (10) the Hapag-Asa kids, with their song interpretation of Malayo Pa Ang Umaga, (11) the Enzo Choir with their hiphop dance medley, (12) the Himig Sanlo with their dance remix number, and (13) the Lay Ministers with their geisha-inspired interpretation of the song Babae Po Ako.
Two audio video presentations were shown. The repeat showing of Ondoy that started the first half of show and the Parish Youth Ministry video entitled "Does Anybody Hear her?" that started the second half. To entertain the audience during the intermission, there was a magic show by Nap Perez while Fr. Luke's nephew, a special child sang a heartwarming song entitled I'll Never Go.
The winners to the san Lorenzo Ruiz Trivia Contest were also awarded their prizes that night. Each winner went home with a wall clock and a bag of medicines. To add to the excitement and enjoyment, there were lots of door prizes and raffle prizes awarded that evening. All in all, it was a great night of communitarian get together for the parishioners. The level and quality of the performances were definitely a great improvement from two years ago. As the curtains fell that Saturday night and the memories began, I am pretty sure everyone's already looking forward to next year's get together. And as I recall the title of a movie I saw many years ago, I say we'll see each other same time next year. Lights out!
.jpg)
.jpg)
