Father Upset Me

"Oca! Long time no see!", Jess exclaimed as he saw his friend in the mall. "Have you moved elsewhere? I haven't seen you in church for quite a while now". "Fr. X upset me", Oca said sadly.  “Why, what happened?”, asked Jess. "I felt he didn't value my service in the parish for the past 30 or so years". Oca has long been an active member in their parish, long before Jess moved there.

“I have been playing the guitar during Sunday Masses long before Fr. X became parish priest. Ever since he came, he made changes that prevented me and the choir I accompany from serving at Mass.”, Oca lamented. “I have noticed that every time there is a parish celebration, it would always take place during the Mass where our choir is scheduled to sing. Worse, he’ll ask another choir to do the singing. Our choir is only informed when everyone else in the parish knows who’ll sing. At first, I just put up with it until he berated us in church one Sunday, in front of a number of people”.

“Why would he do that?”, Jess asked. “He did not like what we sung. He could have called us aside and speak to us like adults”, replied Oca.

“I am so sorry to hear about what happened, Oca. I thought you just moved house…it never occurred to me that you left because of such issues with Fr. X", Jess said.

"He has his favorites, Jess. Unfortunately, I am not one of those. He does not value people. I just go to another Catholic church to attend Mass. God isn't confined to one parish, di ba?"

Jess simply nodded. Before they parted ways, he gave Oca a big hug for he felt the hurt his friend has experienced in the hands of their parish priest.

As I write this, most parishes in the Archdiocese of Manila would have been welcoming their new parish priests following a reshuffle in parish assignments. This major reshuffle hasn't taken place since the time of Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales.  Some parishioners would definitely miss their former pastors hoping that the new one would be like the old one or be much better. Some, I guess would sigh a relief especially if they could identify their former pastors in Fr. X or themselves with poor Oca in the above story.

I have encountered and worked with a handful of parish priests. Generally, they are good. Sadly, there were a few who have almost put me off in my faith and service in the parish. Like Oca, I just moved to another church where I am welcomed and can freely worship God and serve Him in the community. 

If I were Oca, I would have confronted Fr. X. I must admit that this is a path which we lay people do not usually go to. I would also inform the bishop of what happened to him.  At least the bishop is aware of the situation.  

The Diocese of Nottingham witnessed the installation of Msgr Patrick McKinney as its new bishop yesterday. Bishop Patrick's motto is "Seek the face of Christ". Let us pray then that our parish priests (and all priests for that matter) would continuously seek the face of Christ in their flock regardless of their status, that they would play no favorites, that they would be merciful, wise, respectful, and prudent when dealing with people. 

Some would argue "You cannot please everyone". True, however being rude or suplado (snobbish) or bossy is unacceptable. 

***

Best wishes to Monsignori Nestor Cerbo, Hernando Coronel, Mario Enriquez, and Alberto Salonga Jr.as well as Father Genaro Diwa on their new assignments in the Archdiocese of Manila!

Monsignori Cerbo and Coronel were rectors of the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Manila Cathedral). It was during Msgr. Coronel's time when Richard Leyson and I became lector-commentators there in November 1998. Msgr. Ding (or Fr. Ding as he once signed a book he wrote which I bought) was a cool and caring priest. I enjoyed having breakfast with him and other colleagues at the refectory after Mass. He's now Rector and Parish Priest of Quiapo Church!

In early 2002, he was succeeded by Msgr. Cerbo who, like me, is a product of Letran and UST. Msgr. Cerbo welcomed my inputs during my short stint as Coordinator for the Lectors-Commentators. When I left for the UK in 2003, he even gave me a despedida party. He's now Pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in San Juan!

Msgr. Enriquez was parish priest of Gagalangin from 1988 to 1993. It was during his tenure that I began serving in Gagalangin. A silent type of priest, Fr. Mar, as we would call him then, is known for empowering the lay faithful in the parish. During Mass, you could often see his hands clasped in prayer and how gently he utters the prayers. He's now Rector and Parish Priest of Ermita Church!

Msgr. Salonga is the immediate parish priest and rector of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Espiritu Santo. Years ago, Nidz and I would attend the Simbang Gabi as well as some Sunday and Wednesday Masses in that beautiful church. I like the way Msgr. Albert would give his homily: how he connects the first and second readings with the Gospel and what is the relevance of these readings in our daily living. He's now Rector and Parish Priest of the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Divine Mercy!

Fr. Diwa used to be priest-in-charge of the liturgy at the Manila Cathedral. I would often assist him at Mass and other liturgical-related stuff since I was leading the lectors-commentators during that time. I am fascinated with his love for the liturgy, a love that kindled my interest in the same field as I serve as a Mass reader and special minister of Holy Communion here in the UK. He's now Rector and Parish Priest of the National Shrine of St. Michael and the Archangels!

God bless you all, padres!

Jesus Christ is Coming to Town

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception today gives us a feel of how Christmas is fast approaching. Not because on this day we celebrate Mary conceiving Jesus in her womb – a misconception that I have discovered in a recent survey held by Tanghalang Anluwage on its Facebook page – but because Mary, the future Mother of Jesus, was conceived without sin in her mother’s womb!

Part of the confusion perhaps was due to the Gospel reading (see our God-speak special edition on this feast day) where the Archangel Gabriel announced to Mary her selection to be God’s mother and her conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit’s power. We have been used to Gospel readings which are directly related to the event such what is proclaimed during the Midnight Mass at Christmas or that of Easter Sunday. There is, unfortunately, no direct story in the Gospels about Mary’s immaculate conception. As one priest would have put it, the Gospel for this great feast is actually the end of the story of the Immaculate Conception.






***

Before Nidz and I moved to our present home, we lived next to May Wyer, an octogenarian widow who lives by herself. We call her ‘Lola’ (Grandmother) without her knowing it. Although advanced in age, she would frequent the Bingo centre (a few steps from our place) or do shopping in town. She would also do some gardening and likes to have a chat with people (sometimes unaware of how the time has passed). One summer, Nidz and I spent a few days away and when we came back, she told us to let her know so that she could keep an eye on the house. She may sound nosy, but it’s heart-warming to know that someone has that ‘malasakit’ (concern) for you. Indeed, when we moved house, she would still contact me to pick up from her some letters that arrived at our old home. She even called us just to vent her frustration at her new neighbour. We invited her to attend Chiara’s christening, but due to a bad cold, she was unable to do so. Instead, I went to see her for she has a gift to our daughter - a pink teddy bear!

We thought of paying her a visit this Christmas, the first time she will be seeing Chiara. The previous weekend, I heard from a former neighbour that she passed away six months ago - alone.

Lola May, thank you for your concern and care. You will be sorely missed. God bless your kind soul!




***

Prayerful wishes to His Excellency Luis Antonio G Tagle, Archbishop-elect of Manila, who will be installed at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception this Monday, 12th December. This date marks his 10th ordination anniversary as a bishop. I haven’t met the guy, but from what I gathered from people, he is the right person for the job. I have hoped then, when rumours that Benedict XVI has accepted Cardinal Rosales’ resignation, that Tagle would succeed Rosales. Although there have been some quarters mentioning a different name, I felt that it would be a good break from Tagle to be appointed.

Although Imus is Imus and Manila is Manila, I hope that he would effect changes necessary for the growth of the Archdiocese and, in effect, the whole country through his preaching and his living. One of the changes I look forward to is a regular reshuffle of parish priests which has not been felt in the old administration.

There have already been hints that he can be a ‘papabile’ (a candidate for the papacy). I hope he becomes one as the Church deserves to be represented and led by those from continents having great numbers of Catholics.




***

We should be thankful too for Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales who has led the Archdiocese for 8 years. His simple life, as told by his private secretary on the Archdiocese’s website, is something that should be emulated by everyone, especially our leaders. I think this simplicity has made him dear to the poor. Living simply is a much powerful message than slogans such as “ ______ para sa mahirap”.




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By Sunday, we are mid-way of our Advent journey. Purple vestments are set aside for pink ones. The pink candle (or its equivalent) on our Advent wreath is lit. The readings invite us to rejoice. Indeed that should be our attitude. I thought of a famous song which Chiara loves to sing – especially after seeing this jolly man with white beard and in red coat in his grotto this weekend. I have rejigged it and although it may sound corny, I hope you’ll keep this in mind as celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent (a.k.a. Gaudete Sunday):






You better watch out

You better not cry

You better not pout

I’m telling you why:

Jesus Christ is coming to town!



He’s making His way

Don’t get caught by surprise

He’s gonna find out

Who’s naughty or nice.

Jesus Christ is coming to town!



He sees you when you’re sleeping

He knows when you’re awake

He knows if you’ve been bad or good

So be good for goodness’ sake!



You better watch out

You better not cry

You better not pout

I’m telling you why:

Jesus Christ is coming to town!

Clean

I was thinking of an article in honor of the Immaculate Conception when I found myself in the clinic with Nidz and Chiara a few weeks ago. Chiara, now about 15 months old, was due for her booster vaccine shot. During her first few months, we were regularly in the clinic for various injections: BCG, whooping cough, etc. The baby is a brave girl though, parang walang nangyari (as though nothing happened to her).

Mary’s immaculate conception in her mother’s womb has been a dogma defined by the Church for 155 years already. Ages before that though Catholics from across the globe have already believed that Mary was conceived without original sin, that tendency to commit faults which we have inherited from our first parents. The Archdiocese of Manila is a good example – it has been established under the patronage of the Immaculate Conception centuries before the dogma was defined!

Not everyone though believed in this grace that God bestowed on Mary. St Thomas Aquinas himself did not subscribe to it, according to Bishop Ted Bacani, saying that if Mary was conceived without original sin, then Jesus would not be the Redeemer of mankind!

If kids are given a vaccine to prevent them from catching certain diseases, the Immaculate Conception of Mary, I think, is God’s preventive measure so that His Son’s would-be Mother would not be a ‘carrier’ of that disease called sin which the Son has come to defeat and conquer. I read in one article that, in this ‘singular grace of God’ Jesus has shown how great a great Redeemer He is that He prevented one of His creatures, Mary, from owing that debt (i.e. sin) from Him.

What does this feast tell us then? At a time when we’re getting ready for Christmas, we are called to be clean and to come clean.

Jesus once said “Blessed are the clean of heart for they shall see God.” True enough the Blessed Virgin not only saw Him, but bore Him in her womb “with love beyond telling” as mentioned in one of the Advent Prefaces said at Mass. We too in a way bear the Lord in our hearts through the Word proclaimed and the Bread partaken at Mass. If we are to bear Him, then we need to keep ourselves clean like tidying up the house for an expected guest.

Elections in the Philippines are going into full swing soon and voters have to be on the watch on how clean these presidentiables and other candidates are in terms of lifestyle and platform of governance. Of course, most if not all of them will say they want to serve the country. Yet we need to see how pure their intentions are. I’m glad that Senator Noynoy Aquino has been making his stand known on many issues like the perennial debt servicing, the Hacienda Luisita, population control, etc. By letting his voice heard, he is slowly moving away from the shadow of his revered parents and proving that he is his own man. On the other hand, I was amused upon hearing that if Senator Jamby Madrigal would be elected president she would hale into court her relatives for allegedly having a hand in disinheriting her from her late aunt’s will. Next candidate please!

Coming clean can sometimes be hard especially when we thought we could get away with our wrongdoings. And then the moment of truth just slapped us on the face. We hit rock bottom, but we should rise up again. I am saying these not on ideal words, but from someone who has experienced the pain of the truth revealing itself at a time least expected. I managed to rise up though, thanks to God who has implanted in my poor soul that hope for recovery. Thanks too to the Blessed Mother who has never turned her back on me.

The recent massacre in Maguindanao has caught the world’s attention on the often frightening political climate in the south. As of this writing three suspects from the powerful Ampatuan clan, have been brought to jail. They have to come clean and I join the rest of our countrymen in asking the government to let justice be served swiftly, without any consideration for political affinity and debt of gratitude – the Ampatuans are members of the ruling political party.

As we once again celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, let us be strong in our resolve as individuals and as a country to follow the example of our Patroness and Mother. If we do so, then peace would be ours as assured by the angels when they first sang the Gloria in that little town of Bethlehem 2,000 years ago.

Ave Maria purisima sin pecado concebida!

***

This feast is memorable to me, as you would know, because on this date Nidz and I began our relationship 16 years ago. She’s cooking something special tonight! I love you, Mommy!

Talking about relationships, this date also marks the 26th wedding anniversary of Tito Paul and Ninang Joji Pablo. Many happy returns to you two on this great occasion!

Finally, it’s my father Mario’s 59th birthday today. My skill in writing has been honed through correspondence between me and my dad when I was still a little boy. Having migrated to the States to work, the only mode of communication we had then were telephone and snail mail. A friend described him as my ‘Number 1 fan’ in the web. Thank you, Papa. Have a wonderful day!