SLRP Celebrates Mass at Radio Veritas

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.

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SLRP Well Represented at National Laity Week Mass

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.

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Vicar Forane Presides Fiesta High 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.

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SLRP Fiesta 2010 Was One Big Family Gathering

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.

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SLRP Community Comes Alive on Parish Night

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 medley dance 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!

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Parish Remembers Ondoy One Year After

As a fitting remembrance of the fateful event one year ago, the Ministry of Mass Media, through the pastoral guidance of its parish priest, Fr. Luke, prepared a 5-minute audio-video presentation on Ondoy and its impact on our parish. The video captured the helplessness of the parish as flood waters inundated the church and its surroundings. Amidst the devastation wrought by Ondoy, it did not dampen the spirits of the people as they slowly cleaned up the damage caused by the typhoon.

One year after the fury of Ondoy, it was a different fiesta atmosphere that pervaded the parish as it celebrated God's bountiful blessings under clear skies and a festive atmosphere of songs, dances and prayers in thanksgiving. Throughout all masses on September 25 and 26, the video was played in commemoration of a people's resilience, courage and communitarian spirit as they rose from the ruins of the flood to rebuild the SLRP church, God's altar of thanksgiving and togetherness. In Fr. Luke's message in last Sunday's masses, he said and I paraphrase him, "Ondoy brought out the community spirit of the parishioners. Today, we have a new parish, with its ministries and organizations, working to continually build itself, a community helping one another in fraternal brotherhood."

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Bishop Tobias Officiates Novena Mass

By Ate Lina Feliciano

SLRP MBG Coordinator

As part of the 22nd Feast Day Celebration of our Patron Saint, SAN LORENZO RUIZ, a nine-day Novena mass was held in commemoration of his sufferings and martyrdom together with his companions. The 10:00 am Novena Mass started last July 25 and every Sunday thereafter with different ministries, sub-divisions and/or areas assigned as sponsors.

Last September 19, the ninth and final Novena Mass was sponsored by the MOTHER BUTLER GUILD together with some members of the Barangay Council of Culiat. It was officiated by Most Rev. Bishop Antonio Tobias and Rev. Fr. Luke Dobles as co-celebrant.

After the mass, the MBG members had lunch with the good Bishop and Fr. Luke at the Union Village residence of Kuya Tony and Ate Lina Feliciano. The lunch was the through the joint efforts of the host family and some officers of the MBG. Light and lively conversation centered on the coming barangay elections and the importance of the having a unified Catholic vote, though not necessarily through block voting, nor direct endorsement of any particular candidate. They also discussed the value of family relationships, especially the children. The Bishop expressed his desire to see them and had pictures taken with them and the host family.

The MOTHER BUTLER GUILD’s Officers and members together with PPC Coordinators Kuya Cesar and Ate Mayette Tiongson had souvenir photos taken with Bishop Tobias and Fr. Luke.

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SLRP Youth Camp - A Success

Last August 21, the 2010 Youth Camp of SLRP was held amidst a gloomy and overcast day. There were more than 60 participants, both from the parish and facilitators (faccies)from the Diocese of Novaliches and the parish of San Isidro Labrador who attended the one day affair. The camp began with the early morning trek from SLRP parish church to the camp ground at the Servants of Charity covered court in Centerville Subdivision, about two kilometers away.

Upon arrival, the participants were divided into small groups for the morning fun games (polvoron eating, amazing race) and teamworking activity (banner making). These served to put the youth at ease before the serious affairs later on. This took the first two hours of the morning after which breakfast of lugaw and juice was served the participants.

At about 9:30AM, the official Youth Camp began with the opening remarks of our parish priest, Fr. Luke and the inspirational message of PPC Chaircouple Kuya Cesar and Ate Mayette Tiongson. The rest of the morning was a chance for the youth groups to polish their cheers and present these to the body. The morning session ended with the announcement of the winners for the Best Banner and Best Cheer.

Nearing lunchtime, Kuya Al Yap, PYM adviser, gave his talk of encouragement for the participants. He mentioned the plans that were being lined up for the remainder of the year, particularly on the Youth Night for the coming fiesta celebration. This was followed after lunch by Kuya July, a member of the Diocesan Youth Ministry, who gave a talk on the plans and directions for the youth of the diocese.

In the afternoon, there were bonding activities spearheaded by the iLead teams from the vicariate and the diocese levels. Culminating the afternoon activities was the Holy Mass officiated by Fr. Luke. ending the formal session was the closing talk of Ate Mavic Montanez, another PYM adviser. Capping the event, all the participants, facilitators and organizers relaxed through singing songs of praise and dancing the night away with music provided by SLRP's own youth band, led by Kuya Mon Montanez.

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