Every second Saturday of the month, the church becomes busy with the prayerful devotion of the parish's Legion of Mary organization. The members of the LOM gather in church after the 6:00AM Mass to pray 2000 Hail Marys as their pledge and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Old and young members alike take turns reciting the Rosary. This practice started late last year and continues to this day.
For those who are not initiated, it is a daunting experience to spend practically the whole day praying the Rosary 40 times. But for the devotees, this is their labor of love, a sacrifice and an offering that comes from the heart.
The members of the Apostleship of Prayer, headed by Dra. Lou Sarmiento, together with some members of the Block Rosary Crusade, Legion of Mary, Daughters of Mary Sisters and other SLRP parishioners, went to the National Shrine of the DIVINE MERCY at Sta. Rosa 1, Marilao, Bulacan last March 22, 2011.
This is a yearly activity of the AP - to visit holy churches especially during the Lenten season. This year, it was to the DIVINE MERCY Shrine. Led by Ate Linda Duritan, the group meditated and prayed on the fourteen stations of the Way of the Cross. It was followed by deep reflective prayers in front of the Tabernacle at the Main Altar inside the Church.
After completing the spiritual exercise, the group decided to have a hearty breakfast, merienda and lunch, rolled into one,'Brunch'. Picture-taking, souvenir-buying, completed the visit to the shrine. Although it was only a half-day "mini-pilgrimage”, there was 'complete indulgence' for it made the group closer to one another and above all CLOSER TO GOD!
Last March 19, the SLRP parishioners visited with the inmates of the Correctional Institute for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City as part of the prison apostolate of the parish. This second visit, again spearheaded by the Social Services and Development Ministry, was fully supported by Fr Luke, the PPC and the Restorative Justice Ministry of the diocese.
This time, 43 joined the apostolate together with Sister Charisse who helped organize the trip. Everyone had to attend the orientation given three days prior to the event. For some, it was their second visit and therefore their second orientation.
Donations from generous donors totalled P21,000, which covered a major portion of the cost of the food and gifts for 100 inmates. They were grateful for the hour given to them to interact with us visitors, sharing with us their blessings as they related the conditions they faced in the CIW.
For our part, seeing the grateful aura of the inmates gave us a feeling of deep fulfillment, thatsomehow we were able to bring Christ to them in our own small way, that by empathizing with them we shared in Christ’s own offering of Himself.
The celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided by Father Luke capped the visit and everyone was heartened by the message of hope in his homily.
On arrival in the parish, a meeting was held to allow for feedback and evaluation of the visit before partaking of a hearty lunch. Once again the SSDM and the organizers thank all who had given their support not only during the visit itself but even during the preparation and the culminating activities of the mission.
Last March 11, barely a few days into the Lenten Season, the Parish Pastoral Council and the Parish Youth Ministry, together with about 40 members of the youth and some parish elders, gathered around a bonfire for an evening of open discussion revolving mainly on the aspirations of the young people of the parish.
The Youth Forum, as it was called, was an offshoot of post-mortem evaluation of the participation of the youth in parish activities and projects. As an important and growing segment of the parish, the youth in the recent past had been involved in a number of activities and projects where their participation is needed. This has given rise to conflicting commitments and priorities among the different youth groups.
With this year as the Year of the Youth, this forum is a timely response to the Youth's clamor to give focus to their needs as a group and as a vital arm of the parish. With the joint efforts of the PPC, our parish priest and the youth leaders, this youth forum became a reality. The youth were given their day to be heard. They eagerly and candidly expressed their concerns, needs and aspirations which the parish elders appreciatively listened to.
After a long evening of open discussions, the gathering ended at close to midnight with a prayer of hope for the youth and their future in the parish continue to prosper.
In SLRP, the celebration of Lent began with the yearly Area Way of the Cross on March 12, the first Saturday immediately following Ash Wednesday. It is the parish's way of inviting all parishioners to participate in this season of sacrifice and prayer. Fourteen homes in Cruz Compound and Dona Faustina Village 1 were chosen to host each of the 14 stations in a symbolic re-enactment of Jesus passion, death and resurrection. In each station, there are prayers recited and a short narrative of the particular station is read to the congregation and after which Fr. Luke blesses the people. The parishioners journeyed on to the next station until all fourteen stations were visited. The Area Way of the Cross ends with the celebration of the Holy Mass followed by simple fellowship.
This continues on every Saturday of Lent as it is repeated in the other areas of the parish. The following areas followed after: St Dominic 4 last March 19 and UP Professors Subd last March 26. On April 2, it will be Tierra Verde 1 & 2 and finally, it will be the Friends of Sanlo's turn on April 16.
February 20, 2011 was a special Sunday for 17 Sunday School students.
For more than two years, 9 boys and 8 girls, ages ranging from 9 to 11 years old, prepared to receive their First Communion attending Sunday School classes on Catholic beliefs and basic prayers, moral s, and Christian behaviour from volunteer Sunday School catechists.
Hurdling Sunday School classes was not the only requirement. Each one had to submit their baptismal certificate to the parish office allowing them to receive two Sacraments: the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession and the Sacrament of First Communion. For those not yet baptized at the time of their First Communion, they were required to submit their birth certificate and a ‘no report certificate” from nearby parishes to allow them to receive three Sacraments: Baptism, First Confession and First Communion. All the first Communicants complied but a few Level 2 students could not and thus their First Communion was deferred.
The young boys came in white shirts and dark pants while the young girls wore white dresses and white veils crowned with white flowers. They led the procession at the start of the Holy Mass officiated by Fr. Luke, carrying lighted candles, and walking slowly towards their assigned pews as parents and parishioners clicked cameras to record the special event. At the time of Communion, each one came up the altar and individually knelt on a special pew flanked by lighted candles to receive for the first time the Holy Eucharist. It was a solemn event.
Parents beamed proudly at the sight of their children receiving the Holy Eucharist. Younger children in attendance envied their ates and kuyas. “Gusto ko rin mag-suot ng belo,” said one girl.
Weeks prior to this Sunday, catechists Ate Virgie, Ate Christy, and Ate Susan patiently prepared the young children for their first Confession and the rites of the Holy Eucharist. Extra Saturday classes were held to ensure the children were prepared spiritually. No less than Fr. Luke practiced the young Communicants on the rites a day before receiving the Sacrament. He also heard all their First Confessions a week before, each one ending their Confession silently, praying their penance at the Adoration Chapel.
At the same time the children were saying their first Confession, parents attended a short Recollection under Sr. Pilar, SRA and Sr. Ding, DM who instructed them on the significance of their children’s First Communion. Ate Virgie talked briefly on natural family planning and why the Church rejects the RH bill.
Parishioners are invited to send their children to SLRP’s Sunday School if attending non-sectarian schools. Sunday School classes this school year wind up on March 13.
February, known as the “Month of Hearts”, was indeed a perfect time as SLRP gave tribute to married couples of the parish who have celebrated forty years (Ruby) of married life and beyond.
Last February 13, 2011, a special mass was held honoring fifteen wonderful couples followed by a simple reception and program at the SLRP’s multi-purpose hall. They were treated to a nice buffet lunch and were serenaded by the CFC Choir which played the theme songs of these couples. The honorees were introduced and their secrets on how they were able to make their marriage last were revealed for all to learn from. They also reenacted their wedding day by signing the renewal of marriage vows followed by the ceremonial giving to each other a slice of the wedding cake. The day was remarkably a memorable one and ended with everyone in ecstatic mood. We salute these couples whose marriages had grown and deepened over time and have triumphantly overcome trials and hardships along the way.
At the same time, all married couples were blessed by Fr. Luke in all of the masses last Feb 12-13 and renewed their marriage vows in a simple ceremony.
This special event was spearheaded by Kuya Peter and Ate Lina Tamayo, Family Life Ministry Coordinators, with the support of the Community of Couples for Christ (CFC-FFL) which sponsored this event. The Pastoral Parish Council officers including the Ministry of Ushers and Greeters also contributed and extended their support to the success of the event. Being able to bring joy to the honorees gave us a sense of elation and delight and allowed us to give back glory to HIM who made all these possible.
Every second Saturday of the month, the church becomes busy with the prayerful devotion of the parish's Legion of Mary organization. The members of the LOM gather in church after the 6:00AM Mass to pray 2000 Hail Marys as their pledge and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Old and young members alike take turns reciting the Rosary. This practice started late last year and continues to this day.
