Surprised by Charity

And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? (Lk 1:43)

I had a similar expression when Msgr David Forde knocked on my door 21 years ago.  He explained that it was his practice - as parish priest- to visit new members of his flock. (Luckily I was at home and tidied up!) We talked about the Holy Week celebrations in the parish, the religious practices at home, etc. He was surprised to find out that in a big parish in the Philippines, there would be nine Masses on a Sunday! He encouraged me to participate further in the life of the parish. A few months later, I became a Mass reader. He took time to proofread and supported the publishing of the "Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys of St Joseph" (sevensorrowsandsevenjoysofstjoseph2015print version.pdf) in the parish and beyond.

There were other instances when Monsignor surprised me.

In one Mass where I was about to read the Prayer of the Faithful, he asked people to pray for Filipinos affected by the eruption of Mayon Volcano. I felt ashamed because, until that Mass, I never knew of this tragedy in our country despite having a Filipino channel in my telly.

On another occasion, as I was finishing my prayers in front of St Joseph's statue, he approached me to say that he would like me to become a foundation governor at St Margaret Clitherow Primary School. I was about to say no, but Monsignor assured me that I can do it.
When he was assigned to Holy Cross Parish (Hucknall) and later retired, I kept in touch with him via e-mail. Sometimes I also assisted him when he provided cover for our parish priest.

I was still in the US when I received an e-mail from him offering his sincere sympathy on the recent death of my father. He also told me that he will say Mass for the happy repose of Papa's soul. I don't recall informing him of Papa's demise. His message and prayers were much appreciated by the family. This was Msgr Forde's last surprise to me.

Like the Blessed Mother whose visit to the hill country of Judea surprised her cousin Elizabeth,  Msgr Forde's actions surprised me. I believe that Monsignor mirrored the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He made such moves because his heart, like that of Mary's, was filled with charity.  And when the heart is filled with charity, that charity is meant to be given away, to be shared. And what a surprise those good deeds are especially for those who cannot repay them such as "the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind..." (Lk 14:13).

Msgr Forde, many thanks for those surprising moments. Your gestures have affirmed my faith and strengthened my hope. I'm pretty much sure that others have a similar experience. Rest assured that we will continue your legacy. May Jesus the Eternal High Priest along with the Blessed Mother, angels, and saints welcome you into His kingdom. We love you!

The Journey Continues

Our parish played host to the celebration of Msgr. David Forde's 60th sacerdotal ordination anniversary last 17 June 2016. Msgr. Forde was our parish priest from 1999 to 2007. Bishop Patrick McKinney presided over the Mass. A handful of priests from the Diocese concelebrated with him.  Among them were Fr. Gerry Murphy, our Parish Priest;  Fr. Paul Newman, our immediate Past Parish Priest; and Fr. Anthony Dolan, a retired priest who was baptised and ordained at Our Lady's Church.  Of course, Msgr. Forde was there!

Looking at the booklet for the Mass, I was touched to read how Monsignor's parents made sacrifices so that he could go to secondary school and then to college.  On another part of the testimony, I read how he discerned God's calling for him to be a priest and his ministry in the Diocese. Migrating from Ireland to evangelise other people is no joke.  During our rosary group's Christmas Party in 2014, Monsignor was our guest of honour. In his brief message, he identified himself with us being part of the ethnic minority in England.

After the celebration in church, as I was getting ready to sleep, I realised that this date marked my 13th year of living in the UK.  My life here has been a bundle of happiness, sorrow, challenges, triumphs.  During those first few years, I met Monsignor. He comes across as a supportive parish priest. I enjoyed listening to his homilies which always ends with a punch line. "Each of us received a blessing. Let us be a blessing to others" (or words to that effect) and "Enjoy your wealth, but don't let it control you" come to mind.  I admire him that in spite of his old age, he is still serving. I heard from a fellow parishioner that our parish was at its low point when their parish priest died. Until Monsignor came. Indeed, there were moments when I feel low when, all of a sudden (as I go to church), I would see Monsignor smiling at me or giving me a pat at the back.  In one Mass where I was about to read the Prayer of the Faithful, he asked people to pray for Filipinos affected by the eruption of Mayon Volcano (I felt ashamed because, until that Mass, I never knew of this tragedy in our country). Small gestures that meant a lot!

Retired from active ministry for almost 8 years, Monsignor continues to serve the Diocese whenever he is needed. For many times, he has provided cover when Fr. Paul or Fr. Gerry were away. During special occasions such as Holy Week and Christmas, he lends a helping hand in presiding at some of the Masses either at Our Lady's or the Infant of Prague (Both parishes share the Parish Priest since 2005) or even in other parishes in the Diocese. I guess, the journey continues regardless if one is just a day or 60 year old in one's vocation.  Monsignor Forde comes across as one shining example. 

Thank you, Monsignor, for your prayers and paternal support through the years. May God bless you more and more!

***

Speaking of journey, my sister Nicola and her husband Dominic begun their journey as a married couple almost a year ago.  Last Sunday, that journey reached a milestone when Nicola gave birth to a baby boy whom they named Thomas Dominic. Named after his grandfather Thomas and his father Dominic, Tommy (my nephew's nickname) shares the same birthday as his dad. Incidentally, his grandfather's birthday is on the following day. For the Samaniego-Albano Clan, Tommy is the third grandson.

Congratulations, Nicola and Dominic! Prayerful wishes for both of you and your family. May Tommy grow to be a healthy, holy, and happy boy. May he follow the example of Saints Thomas Aquinas and Dominic de Guzman, constantly at the service of Jesus who is the Truth!

Fr Paul

Catching up on the loads of mail we received when we were away for our trip to the Philippines 2 years ago, we were surprised to hear that Msgr David Forde was leaving our parish on the first weeks of January.
One Saturday evening, we attended the Mass which would be the first one to be presided over by Msgr Forde’s successor – the youthful Fr Paul Newman. During his homily he gave a short introduction of who he was. We learned that he had that calling to the priesthood at an early age and was previously assigned to the Diocese’s Youth Centre (a.k.a. The Briars).

What touched me during his homily was his awareness of working together for the good of the parish (parishes actually as he is also looking after the neighbouring Divine Infant of Prague Parish). People would have looked up on their parish priests as the source of all knowledge and direction in the life of the Christian community. But for me, listening to Fr Paul, made me realize that he’s one who wishes to engage with all parishioners and allow them to contribute in their own way for the growth of the parish.

Indeed, in his first few months he mobilised the people (including the Poor Clare sisters) in raising funds for the refurbishment of the church. By the end of 2007, Our Lady’s was ready to celebrate Christmas with the walls, beams, Our Lady’s image and the crucifix being repainted, a new carpet was installed for the sanctuary, and the patio being remodelled to name a few.

Realising the cultural diversity of Our Lady’s Parish and the need to celebrate this, he initiated in September 2007an international cuisine event featuring the various international meals prepared by parishioners. Two days later, the Sunday Mass was so special as readings and the Bidding Prayers (a.k.a. Prayer of the Faithful) were said in various languages. I had the privilege of proclaiming the Second Reading in Filipino. Inspired by this gesture, I proposed that our website be included in the parish’s website as a link and vice-versa. Through this partnership both communities have been supporting each other since then. Fr Paul was also involved in this Holy Week's "The Seven Last Words" project.

His engagement with people includes the little ones too. Every time those attending the Children’s Liturgy come back from the sacristy to present what they have discussed and worked on in their liturgy, Fr Paul makes it a point not only to talk to the facilitators, but most especially to the children, offering them praise and encouragement.

I have often heard Fr Paul address me as “My friend” to which I am very grateful for.

Fr Paul, as you celebrate your 20th Anniversary as a priest on 20th July, may you continue to be that friend who would inspire us in bringing God’s love to His people so that more and more souls would come together to praise and serve Him.

Ad multos annos!
***

Best wishes too go to Msgr Mario Enriquez, former parish priest of St Joseph Parish de Gagalangin, who celebrates his 29th Sacerdotal Ordination Anniversary this 18th July.

Msgr Mar, as you would know, has been instrumental in establishing our organization in that parish. He has been a source of guidance and strength when the group was at its infancy stage.

Like Fr Paul, he has also whipped the community into shape by promoting lay empowerment which saw more lay faithful participating in the affairs of the parish via the Worship, Education, Service, Temporalities, and Youth (WESTY) committees of the Parish Pastoral Council and the historical Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPC-RV)which fielded an enormous number of youth parishioners (that included me!)to volunteer in ensuring a clean and honest national and local elections way back in 1992.

God bless you, Monsignor!

Ad Multos Annos!

All roads led to our parish church last Monday evening, 18th of September. The church was almost full of people as I came in. Our Parish Priest, Msgr David Forde, was celebrating his 50th Anniversary as a Priest. Rt Rev Malcolm McMahon,Bishop of our diocese led a handful of priests in the Mass. I was earmarked (if I can borrow what John Staniland, our 'Sacristan Mayor', used) to do the Second Reading.

I have known Msgr Forde since 2003. As we were preparing to move to our new home, I found out that there was a nearby church. I searched the Yellow Pages and rang the parish office. He was the one who took the call and and gave me instructions how to reach the church. I later called again to query their Christmas activities. He took our address and sent us a Christmas card - it was nearly the Yuletide season then. I am touched by his dedication in serving the community (at present he is serving two parishes due to a shortage of priests), his skill in relating God's Word with daily living, and his ability to unite the people.

Fifty years as a priest is indeed an achievement. To have actively remained in serving the Lord for that long is truly a mystery. I was listening intently to Msgr Thomas McGovern, the Homilist that night, who revealed three outstanding qualities of Msgr Forde: joyfulness in serving, loyalty to the diocese, and generosity in forgiving.

These qualities have truly endeared him to the people. The lack of these, however, would certainly put off people from the Church, its ministers, and its members. You may have heard negative remarks made against some leaders and members of our religion due to the absence of such virtues.

Msgr Forde's Golden Jubilee is a time for us to thank God for the gift of the priesthood. It is also an occasion to ask Him to strengthen the Church so we can all be joyful servants, loyal labourers, and (the most challenging one)forgiving followers.

Ad multos Annos! To many more fruitful years!