Holding the Hands of our Mother

(This was the reflection I shared during the Rosary recitation at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Parish on 25 October 2025.)

During our pilgrimage to Rome last summer, the first jubilee church we visited was the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which was a few steps away from Roma Termini. As we made our way to the front pew, the Rosary was being recited in Italian.

The leader said Ave, O Maria, piena di grazia. Il Signore e con te. Tu sei benedetta fra le donne e benedetto e il fruto del tuo seno, Gesu.

Most in church responded, Santa Maria, Madre di Dio, prega per noi peccatori adesso e nell'ora della nostra morte. Amen.

To my suprise, some responded, Santa Maria, Madre de Dios, ruega por nosotros pecadores ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte. Amen.

As for my family, we said, Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

We initially intended to spend just a few minutes in that church before moving to another, but the experience was so powerful that we stayed until the Rosary was over. It was as though Mama Mary was gathering all her children from all walks of life to pray - some of them may have a strong faith, others may be going through some challenges in life, still others losing hope, etc. 

Here in our community, this gathering of Mary's children has also been observed over the past Saturdays of October. On the first Saturday, the Poor Clare sisters led the Rosary, meditating on the Joyful Mysteries. On the second Saturday, Our Lady's Prayer Group represented by Jean Durkin led in meditating on the Luminous Mysteries. On the third Saturday, the Legion of Mary represented by Georgina Nakafero led in meditating on the Sorrowful Mysteries. Tonight, the Filipino Rosary Crusade represented by Kryysz, Kristine, and Kyrstin led in meditating on the Glorious Mysteries.

Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan in the Philippines encouraged people to pray the Rosary and bring it wherever they go. He suggested holding on to it, even if we are unable to pray it, as though holding the hands of the Blessed Mother. I am not surprised with the good archbishop's suggestion. He studied at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran which has a long standing devotion to the Holy Rosary.

In the image of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, we see the baby Jesus looking at the tools of His future Passion and Death. However, we could also see how firmly His hands are holding His Mother's hands. That should also be how we must hold Mama Mary's hands!

Contrary to what Mary-bashers say against the Rosary, this devotion is Christo-centric. All the mysteries show the life of Jesus. Jesus is the main actor; Mary is a supporting actress. Indeed, Mary identifies herself as the handmaid of the Lord (Lk 1:38). 

St John Marie Vianney, who struggled in his studies that he was almost not ordained, has a strong devotion to Mary. He said, "Let us live as the Blessed Virgin lived: loving God only, desiring God only, trying to please God only in all that we do". Doing so, we could truly mean what we say: "To you our God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be glory and praise for ever and ever. Amen" (Jubilee Prayer).

October is almost over, but let us continue to pray the Rosary and bring it wherever we go. Pope Leo told how his parents committed themselves to pray the Rosary daily and how their devotion influenced his vocation and ministry. The Rosary offers graces that the Lord would generously pour on us. So let us keep on praying the Rosary!

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!

Pareng Meng

I have known Remigio "Meng" Sulit eleven years ago. Our first meeting was one summer afternoon when Nidz bumped into him in a neighborhood shop. I learned that his wife Susan is also a nurse. From then on, we would see each other at our home (or theirs), in church, or in some Pinoy gatherings such as birthday parties. It's through these gatherings that I slowly begun to forge a friendship with him and other expatriates.  

When their daughter Nadine was baptized, they asked me to be one of her godfathers. I was happy to accept it. Nadine became my first god daughter in the UK!

Pareng Meng comes across as a friendly and jolly person; a loving husband and a doting father.  His family is one of the founding members of the Filipino Rosary Crusade-Nottingham North (FRC). Incidentally, FRC shares the same birthday as Pareng Meng.

Known for his common expression "Walang problema", he is one friend you can truly rely on. I cannot forget the many moments he came to our aid, be it helping repair our old car, driving us to and fro the airport, bringing Chiara (his god daughter) to and fro school, or looking after her when Nidz and I have to go to work during weekdays.

Happy 50th birthday, Pareng Meng! Your friendship is a blessing I will keep on counting. Your welcoming attitude is a source of strength especially when the going gets tough.  Hope you have a wonderful day! Thank you. God bless you!

These Bank Holidays in May

The merry month of May in the UK always has 2 public holidays (commonly known as bank holidays) held on the first and last Mondays of this month. While the former is called 'May Day Bank Holiday', the latter is know as 'Spring Bank Holiday'.

May is the month when everything comes to life. Leaves that have fallen from trees last autumn have been replaced by new, verdant ones. Flowers start to bloom. Birds who may have migrated to safer areas during winter have returned chirping. More time for gardening indeed! More sunshine? Well, there were days this month that you would describe as 'glorious' rather than 'gloomy'. (It's back to the gloomy weather these past few days, but that's another story!)

For me, these 2 bank holidays were occasions when I got engaged with nature.  During the May Day Bank Holiday, we (Nidz, Chiara, and me) went to Floralands Garden Centre (http://www.floralands.co.uk/), a 15-20 minute drive from our home. Together with Bon Frio, one of our friends, his kids Miguel and Megan, and my god daughters Nadine Sulit and Julia Rapada, we walked through a huge parcel of land where there was a playground  we rode on a small train, to the kids' amazement. The route was full of greenery.  Afterwards, we walked to the farm where we found and fed animals such as pigs, calves, donkeys, sheep, ducks, rabbits, chicken, goats, etc. 

The pigs and calves were asleep when we went there in spite the kids shouting at them to wake them up. I enjoyed feeding the donkeys. At first, the kids were afraid to place food on their hand and offer it to the animals. But when they saw me feeding them, they were enthused. Pointing at one of the donkeys, I told Chiara "That's St Joseph's car" explaining to the little one that there were no other means of transport during his time except donkeys (or other similar animals such as horses and camels).

We later moved to another another area of the farm where plants and garden décor of various sizes and shapes were on sale.  We concluded the day with a meal courtesy of our friends Susan and Meng Sulit.

Fast forward now.  Just a few days ago, some members of our rosary group paid the Poor Clare Monastery (http://www.poorclaresnottingham.org.uk/)  a visit. As suggested by Fr Gerry Murphy, our Parish Priest, we went there help the sisters spruce up their 'guest wing' garden.  Days previous to our gardening outreach, the sun was in its glory.  However, the forecast for that Monday wasn't good. We prayed to St Clare for a good weather.  As I woke up that Monday, the sun has already appeared. I smiled and got myself ready.  After packing things up, we went to pick up a Julia and brought her and Chiara to the Sulits who kindly agreed to look after them. Other friends also brought their kids there. We picked up 3 friends Juliet Talanay, her daughter Maxille Anne, and Jona Estioso; collected food from another friend Rachelle Abrera, and then made our way to the monastery.  

We were welcomed by Sr Francis who has to dash off for the Mass. Geoff and Ana Caingcoy, Bon Frio, Chris and Mary Ann Provida, and Jude Amamio and kids Anton and Lulu came in succession. All in all, we were 13. After a short prayer in front of a statue of Our Lady, we buckled down to work. Both Fr Gerry and Mother Mercy came to see us later and thanked us for our assistance. Mother Mercy has previously told us that the area we'll be working on was the garden for guests (Fr Gerry called it "The Guest Wing").  Some of its former guests have donated benches or decorated a portion of it in memory of a deceased loved one. I saw a bench dedicated to Anne Lokes, an admired parishioner.

The work we did ranged from getting rid of weeds to trimming some plants; from cutting tree branches to tidying up the area.  By late afternoon, it started to rain. Yet, we all carried on, maintaining that lively Filipino way of working.  Mother Mercy came to see us again and she kept on thanking us, remarking that the area now "...looks like (a garden proper to a) monastery". She said "Salamat" and "God bless you". When I bade her goodbye, she assured me of the nuns' prayers for our group.

The story didn't end there though. After leaving the monastery, we headed to the parish hall where Fr Gerry asked us to weed out the wall connecting the hall and the monastery.  It was still drizzling, yet we kept our focus weeding out the wall and trimming some plants by the pavement.

Like in the previous bank holiday, we had a small salu-salo at the Sulits' residence. I slept that night thankful to the Lord for guiding us in our outreach and for the goodness of people who looked after our kids or prepared food.

These bank holidays in May have made me realize how good God is by creating such a wonderful world for us to behold and, more importantly, to look after.  Be it feeding animals or gardening, these activities allow us to be part of God's creative role - collectively or individually, rain or shine!

Rosary with Chiara

In observance of Rosary month, we have been reciting the Rosary at home. On certain evenings, we join our Rosary Group's recitation in selected homes.

There have been certain nights that it's only me and Chiara saying the Rosary as Nidz is on night duty.  While praying the Rosary with my daughter, I have to briefly explain to her each of the mysteries.  I try my best to be creative when saying the mysteries. For example, instead of just saying "The first Sorrowful Mystery is the Agony in the Garden", I say "The first Sorrowful Mystery, Jesus agonized in the Garden".  Listening to stories on how Jesus was born, or died on the cross, or rose from the dead she would express surprise, shock, or wonder. She would constantly ask "Why?". Rather than be irked at her curiosity, I would patiently and enthusiastically explain the mystery to her.  Having this conversation with my daughter made me rediscover my faith.  It brought me back to the time that I was a child again, of being taught how to say this beautiful devotion and being introduced to its various mysteries. 

As the little girl was gradually introduced to the devotion, she got keen to be the leader, saying a number of prayers such as the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory.  At the close of the Rosary, we sing Salve Regina.  I am pleased that she can already sing this song in spite of her tender age (I learned to sing it at 11/12 years old!). She may not yet utter some of the lyrics and prayers properly, but with guidance and encouragement she will be able to do it well soon.

For me, it is good to pray the Rosary with a child. I cannot rush saying the Hail Marys. I am yanked out of my comfort zone to pause and think. By doing so, I can relate with the mysteries. I can relate with God. 

Mama's Best Lesson

During our Rosary devotion a few nights ago, the topic for our sharing was on the best lesson in life taught to us by our mothers.  This topic was inspired by the role that Mary played as Mother of Jesus, who became Man to be our Saviour.

For me, the best lesson I learned from my mother is to practice humility.  As a kid, she would always remind me to refrain from being mapagmalaki  (haughty).  As concrete examples of humility, she exhorted me to acknowledge a debt of gratitude to those who have helped me, to treat others, regardless of their shortcomings, with diplomasya (respect), to be open to correction (and other lessons imparted by experience and people), and to be thankful for whatever God has given me.

There were instances that I took humility to the extreme (i.e. self-pity) and she cautioned me not to go that way otherwise it would be impossible for me to overcome any trials that is thrown my way.

This Year of Faith, we are called to revisit and rekindle on what we believe in.  It is good to take that moment to have another look at the tenets of our faith.  Why do we believe in one God? Is Jesus really present in the form of bread and wine at the words of Consecration?  How come Mary was immaculately conceived in her mother's womb? Why confess your sins to a priest who is also human like us? Is there life after death? These and many questions on our faith abound.  And yet, we have faith.  I'm sure that faith is sustained by humility.  For how can we adhere to these truths if we are full of ourselves, if we are not open, if we are proud? Indeed, as St Augustine once said "Humility must accompany all our actions, must be with us everywhere; for as soon as we glory in our good works they are of no further value to our advancement in virtue". 

Ma, thank you for teaching me the virtue of humility.  I must admit that there are still moments when it's much easier for me to be proud than to be humble. And yet, I've seen the sad and bad consequences of my mistakes as well as the good fruits of being down to earth.  I will keep on doing as you have taught me so that I would be worthy of God's favour. 

Happy Birthday, 'ma! May Jesus, who is meek and humble of heart, grant you a long, healthy, and holy life. May Mama Mary continue to watch over you so you may reflect her motherly love to us, your children and grandchildren. 

Love, kisses, and prayers from your first baby :)

A Father Who Never Takes Us For Granted

(This was a reflection I gave during the Opening Rosary of the Filipino Rosary Crusade-Nottingham North yesterday.  During our Rosary this month, we will be reflecting/sharing on the 12 articles of Faith contained in the Apostles' Creed.)

"I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth."

There is a famous Filipino saying that goes like this "Ang anak matitiis ang magulang, pero ang magulang di matitiis ang anak." (Children may take their parents for granted, but parents will not take their children for granted.)  I'm sure this saying also applies to God.

When we have a look at the various stories in the Bible, we could see how God reaches out to us.  From Adam and Eve to the patriarchs, judges, prophets, kings, and finally through Jesus Christ His only Son.  In Jesus, God is presented as our Father. For the Jews this was a shock for they couldn't even say the word "God" out of reverence for the Almighty.

Jesus taught a lot about God the Father who is loving and merciful.  This was best illustrated by the famous Parable of the Prodigal Son.

The challenge for us is: Huwag nating tiiisin o tikisin ang Diyos Ama. (Let's not ignore or provoke God our Father.)  God wants to reach out to us and yet, we ignore Him or worse provoke Him.  He calls us to change and yet we continue to do things that are not pleasing to Him.

And because all of us call God as Father, we are all siblings.  And so, Huwag nating tiisin o tikisin ang ating kapwa (Let's not ignore or provoke our neighbor).  If we could help, then let's do so. If people are already down, let's not put make things more difficult for them. If they are angry, let's not fuel their anger further.

Finally, because we believe in God our Father as the creator of heaven and earth, Huwag nating tiisin o tikisin ang Kanyang mga nilikha (Let's not ignore or provoke His creation).  How do we care about our environment nowadays? Do we reuse and recycle? Do we switch off the light when not needed? These may sound simple things, but these are part of our faith.

If we regard God as our Father, if we regard Him as the source of life of all creation then we'll have a deeper faith in Him.  A deeper faith will prod us to hope that we'll soon be united with Him in heaven. And because He has shown us His love, we will also be able to love Him in return.

"If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts" (Psalm 95).

Poor Yet Rich in God's Sight

When we were moving from the Sherwood area to the Bestwood area in Nottingham almost 10 years ago, one of the first things I thought of was where is the church located.  By doing some Google-search, I found where the church is located.  Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Parish has its own website and I surfed through it, enjoying the pictures of the church on display in the web. I left a message on the web's guest book.  

We moved eventually to Bestwood, started to worship at Our Lady's, and got to know more the people there.  Out of the blue, someone sent me an e-mail welcoming me to the parish.  No, it wasn't the parish priest. Nor was it someone from the parish pastoral council.  It was one Sr Margaret, a nun from the Poor Clare Monastery which just next door to the parish church.  I was surprised and, at the same time, touched by Sister's gesture. Surprised because, based on what I was told in the Philippines, Poor Clare nuns don't interact with people outside their convent. Touched because, in spite of that 'border' between those inside the monastery and outside, I felt being one with her community.  That oneness continues till this day.

My family sees the sisters as a part of our support system. We contact them every time we need prayers, for ourselves or for others. So much is our closeness to them that we named our daughter Chiara Francesca, after Saints Clare and Francis, the founder of the Poor Clares and the Franciscans respectively. When Chiara was baptised, the sisters at that time (Mother Mary Francis and Sr Margaret) were unable to attend the ceremony, but they gave her numerous gifts.  

On another occasion, while visiting the sisters at Christmastime in 2009, Mother Mary Francis gave her rosary to Chiara - she saw that the little girl was getting uneasy then.  I thought she just gave it to her to play with so I returned it to her before going home. She told me to keep it, for my daughter.  Little did I know that that would be our last meeting - both sisters moved to another monastery south of England early the following year.  We still continue to keep in touch through letters.

Even though there was a change in leadership and composition of the monastery, the sisters have continued to show the same kindness and warmth to us.  Mother Mercy, the present Abbess, is very complimentary to the Filipino Rosary Crusade-Nottingham North.  She once took Chiara by the hand and brought her to their chapel to show her a statue of St Clare. Both of them knelt and prayed in front of the  woman's statue.  Last Christmas, the sisters gave our group a box of cakes and, a doll for Chiara!

St Clare's rule for her order is "to observe the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by living in obedience,without possessing anything as my own and in chastity". "Without possessing anything as my own". For the materialistic this is unthinkable.  For the selfish this is suicide. For the power-hungry this is madness.

Strangely, St Clare and her daughters (mind you, they have been in existence for the last 801 years!) shame those whose notion of happiness is to acquire or worse hoard material things.  I suddenly remembered Msgr David Forde's punchline in his homily last Sunday: "Enjoy your wealth, but don't let it control you".

Gifts, a rosary, a box of cakes, a doll, prayers. Whatever the nuns gave, they gave cheerfully. St Clare and her daughters through the ages mirror Jesus who "though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Thank you, Poor Clare sisters (be it in Bulwell, Arundel, or elsewhere) for your generosity of heart, simplicity of spirit, humble service, and joyful friendship.  May our faithful Lord bless you always through the intercession of St Clare!

Happy feast day this 11th of August!

Live Life Beautifully

(The first item below is the reflection I shared during the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help organised by the Filipino Rosary Crusade-Nottingham North at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Parish Church on 23 February 2013.)

I was walking past Super Drug(a drug store in the UK) a few days ago when my attention was caught by its poster which says: “Live Life Beautifully”. Of course, that store was enticing buyers to purchase a host of their products that could ‘beautify’ their customers. As to what extent in their lives, that is another story.

Lent offers a similar message, but presented in a rather negative slogan: “Remember man that you are dust and unto dust you shall return.” Being dust all along and being dust in the future isn’t beautiful at all. This is Lent’s wake-up call for us. And with this call, Lent offers us 3 important gifts: Prayer, Penance, and Charity. Here in our parish, they are given a more practical context: Live simply, sustainably, in solidarity with others.

Most if not all of us have been availing of these gifts every Lent and even beyond. Perhaps it’s good to ask ourselves:

Prayer


Do we pray like Samuel who once said “Speak, Lord your servant is listening” or do we just want God to listen to what we have to say to Him?

Are we like the Pharisee, in Jesus’ parable, who prayed as though God would be impressed with all his good deeds or are we like the tax collector who couldn’t even raise his head to heaven, but could only strike his breast while saying “Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am a sinner”?

Are we like Jesus who always prayed that His Father’s will be done?

Penance

Do we fast and abstain just to lose weight or do we do it to alleviate the sufferings of others?

Do we make sacrifices grudgingly or with a smile?

Do we face our crosses with a moan or with trust?

Charity

Do we serve the community just to win people’s praise?

Are we just after the number of likes in whatever religious posts we make in Facebook?

Do we feel bad when someone else has outdone us in our service in the parish/community?

Are we annoyed when people don’t see eye-to-eye with us?

Do we love because we are compelled to do so or do we just love to love?

Are we choosy when being nice to others?
Fr Richard Veras, a parish priest in New York, commented that “There is a temptation to see Lent as a time of self-improvement, during which my focus is on myself. However my sin shows me that my hope can never be in myself. My only hope is that someone save me…Let our focus be not on ourselves, but on Jesus…He is the one who saves me from my miserable condition; it is his merciful gaze which awakens and transforms me.”

If we focus our prayer, penance, and charity on Jesus, Lent can be a wonderful experience for us. Not something that we avoid or something that we commemorate for the wrong reasons. Rather than a sad occasion in the life of the Church, Lent can be a moment of rejoicing because of the salvation that the Lord has won for us. Such is the beauty of Lent! Yes, we are dust, but if we follow Jesus faithfully and lovingly, our destiny is far better than dust. Our destiny is to be with Him forever.

Let’s therefore ask Mama Mary’s help that like her, our attention and our actions will be only in and for Jesus. And let's encourage and nurture others - our kids, our colleagues, our neighbours - to do the same.

United with our Lord in this holy season, let us live life beautifully!

***

Pope Benedict XVI's resignation on February 11 came as a shock. It was just a day ago when the Gospel was about Simon Peter being chosen by the Lord to be a 'fisher of men'. We acknowledge the Pope as St Peter's successor (As I write this, it's the Feast of the Chair of St Peter, a celebration commemorating the primacy of Peter in the community of believers; an unbroken role filled in by Peter's successors, a.k.a.the popes).  The resignation is new to almost everyone since the last pope to step down lived 5 centuries ago.  Some quarters cried foul saying the Pope can't do that because it's like saying 'No' to God.  I learned that the Pope can do that in his own volition as contained in Canon Law.  I was shocked and yet I admired him for doing such a courageous act.  It has been said that John Paul II once contemplated of resigning,  but in the end left everything as is.  I could understand Benedict's decision for he would have definitely witnessed how his predecessor ebbed away.

Benedict XVI has been described more as a teacher than an administrator of the Church. Compare his writings against the various controversies that bedevilled the Church in his term: Vatileaks, Vatican Bank controversies, sexual scandals involving priests, etc. Some commentators consider him as a weak pope for not being able to effect the needed change in the Roman Curia (the departments and agencies in Vatican).  The process involved in the new English translation of the Mass is an example of how the Roman Curia imposed changes to the English-speaking churches rather than leaving things in the hands of the bishops conferences. To be fair, Benedict did what he could to reach out (read: meet up) with victims of sexual abuse. By doing so, he has acknowledged that such evil existed. Unlike Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Dean of the College of Cardinals, who dismissed the issue as mere gossip. The Pope has also sanctioned Fr Marcial Maciel, founder of the Legionaries of Christ, when it was discovered that he  was involved in sexual abuse and sired children. During John Paul II's time, this priest was untouchable as his congregation gave huge donations to the Vatican.

There is a buzz that cardinals who will be electing Benedict's successor next month are looking for a pope who will bring order to the Curia. Indeed, there are curialists who have behaven badly which put the present pope in bad light.  If a revamp can be done, then the collegiality of bishops (with the pope as primus inter pares) as envisioned by Vatican II will become a reality. And I also hope that they would look for someone who' will reexamine  the current English translation of the liturgy.

This Lent. let's offer our prayers, penance, and charity for Benedict XVI thanking God for his leadership, service, and example.  Let's also offer these Lenten gifts to the College of Cardinals that they may be inspired by the Holy Spirit to elect a pope who will be a true shepherd of the flock and fisher of people.

Perpetual Help Novena in Nottingham

The Filipino Rosary Crusade-Nottingham North, which I am leading, has launched the Perpetual Help Novena in our parish on 24 Septemeber 2011. I'd like to share with you the Introduction I delivered during that event. Please remember us your kababayans here in Nottingham, UK as we continue to spread this popular devotion, as we "fight the good fight of faith".

Good afternoon and welcome to the launching of the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help here at the Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Parish.

Seven years ago, when I started worshipping in this church, I had an interesting conversation with John Staniland, our lead altar server in the Mass a while ago. I told him that we Filipinos fondly call the Parish’s Patroness as ‘Mother of Perpetual Help’. John replied that the word “succour” is an old English equivalent for “help”. Regardless of the variation of words, both titles (i.e. “Our Lady of Perpetual Succour” and “Mother of Perpetual Help”) share a common denominator: Mary comes to assist those in need.

If we look back at Holy Scriptures, we can recall how Mary helped her cousin Elizabeth when the latter was pregnant at an old age. She also came to the aid of the newly wedded couple in Cana. She helped the apostles and surely she did the same to St. Joseph, her husband. She also helped Jesus. When Jesus was about to die on the cross, He entrusted Mary to us as though saying “I have been helped by My Mother. I am sure she will also help you!”.

There is a beautiful story behind the picture of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. It was said that the Child Jesus had a vision of two angels : one holding a cross, the other holding a spear, tools that would be used when He would offer His life for our salvation. Being young at that time, the little boy didn’t understand this and became afraid. He ran to His Mother who in turn carried Him in her arms. The fear of Jesus was so great that one of His sandals, as you can see from the picture, was dangling from his foot.

We thank Fr. Gerry Murphy for allowing us to hold this novena in this church, a novena which has been used in the Philippines for the last 65 years. Through this devotion, we aim to provide a way for Filipinos to serve in the parish, to celebrate the church’s 60th dedication anniversary, and to promote the devotion in the parish named after Our Lady.

Going back to the picture of Our Lady and the Child Jesus, let us have that childlike confidence as we present our needs and cares to her.

I would like to turn you over to Joey Mabalot who will be leading us in this month’s Novena.

Thank you.

Ladies of the Rosary

As the year is about to end soon, it’s worth to recall what had happened in the past. It’s worth to remember! November, it has been said, is a month of remembrance – from saints (canonised or not) to souls of the departed; from those who died in the war (Here in the UK we celebrated “Remembrance Sunday” last 14th November) to those we consider as heroes (30th November is Andres Bonifacio’s birth anniversary).

Our Filipino Rosary Crusade here in Nottingham North gathered for many evenings last month to pray the Rosary. At the very end of our prayer sheets, are printed the names of women who have inspired me to love and promote the Rosary devotion in the neighbourhood. Although Rosary month is over, I’d like to devote this article to remember and celebrate the lives of these “ladies of the Rosary”.

The first lady on our list is Mrs Benjamina Valdes-Madamba. My paternal grandmother’s youngest sister, Lola Mining (as we call her) was known for her religiosity, particularly her devotion to the Holy Mass, the Rosary, and the Divine Mercy. As a little boy, I saw how she took care of having this huge image of Our Lady of Fatima (which I think is now housed at the St Rita Hospital in Tondo) brought to our house (where the Rosary was prayed during the image’s visit). Although it seems ages ago, that event paved the way for me to know more about the house-to-house Rosary devotion (a.k.a. block rosary crusades). The last time I saw Lola Mining was in 2003 before leaving for the UK. It’s unfortunate that I didn’t manage to see her in 2005 when I made a short visit to the Philippines. We only talked over the phone. Months later, she passed away. If she were still alive, she would be celebrating her birthday tomorrow, 18th November.

The second and third ladies hailed from Kawit, Cavite where my siblings and I lived for two years. Mrs Anicia “Ti Annie” Andreus and Ms Julita “Ti Lita” Magadia were both active members of the parish. Ti Annie, as I have mentioned in a previous article, used to be a daily Mass participant and was Edwin’s (a former classmate) mother. I followed her good example! Ti Lita was our block rosary chairman. Every night in October 1985, rain or shine we will be bringing an old image of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal to houses along Tanggulan Street. Ti Lita, who was also a lector/commentator in church, would always guide whoever leads the prayer in that house while Ti Annie looks after the cassette radio which plays Marian songs during prayers and procession. When we returned to Manila, I still continued to get in touch with them and even joined in some rosary recitation when I can. If I am not mistaken Ti Lita passed away in 2005, while Ti Annie this year.

The last set of ladies were from Gagalangin, Tondo. When we moved back to Manila and resided in our current home, we met Mrs Purificacion “Auntie Puring” Montero (who lived just one house away from ours) who coordinated the block rosary in our barangay. An active member of the Legion of Mary (like Lola Mining), she provided us with guidance and support. When the Bible Outreach Programme (BOP) of Fr Bhong Guerrero came into being in 1993, a reorganisation of block rosaries took place with five families comprising one group. We belonged to a group which was led by Mrs Leonora “Tita Nora” Tudara, mother of Dindo, a former classmate in Letran. The first time an image of the Holy Family (a BOP amendment) was brought to our house, Mama was not around so it fell on my lap to lead the prayers. I thought that was it when Tita Nora asked me to read the Gospel reading for that coming Sunday AND share my reflection on it! I can’t remember exactly the reading, but it has something to do with Christ as Shepherd. In that prayer meeting, was Mrs Dominga “Inso” Viloria whom I have met on a number of occasions in parish events. I managed to share, thanks to divine inspiration! Inso really engaged me as she asked questions on what I was talking about. I think that occasion became a rebirth from me because during that time, I have “laid low” in terms of participating in church activities. For a number of months, I joined in the weekly rosaries meeting new members and being refreshed in prayer and reflection. Auntie Puring was also part of our group and would join us whenever she is in the Philippines.

Later on, Tita Nora turned over the leadership to Mama. I later succeeded Mama in looking after this devotion and was supported by many devotees especially by Inso and Auntie Puring. A few years after Tita Nora stepped down from the leadership, she passed away. In 2003, a few weeks before I left for the UK, Auntie Puring died. Inso soon returned to her true home a year later.

As I remember these ladies, I am full of thanks to God for giving them to me as my examples, as my spiritual mothers. I feel blessed to have been touched by how they bore witness to the faith. May God, through Our Lady of the Rosary, grant them a place in His kingdom!

***

There is a seventh lady I wish to remember: Mrs Rosario “Sister Charing” Dungo who passed away recently. Sister Charing held a number of positions in the Gagalangin Parish. I must say that she “discovered” me as a potential lector/commentator. I just brushed aside the idea when she first mentioned it to me, but the second time she did I cannot say “No” – she has included me in the list for the Flores de Mayo celebration in 1992. Later on, she managed to give me and two other recruits – Richard Leyson and Ester Bunye – a schedule in the Sunday Masses. For some reason, I wasn’t able to thank Sister Charing for her kindness and support. I am still a Mass reader and perhaps the best way to really remember and thank her is to give my best in this ministry. Salamat po, Sister Charing! Rest in Christ’s peace!

Like The Beads Of The Rosary

(I'd like to share with you the Closing Message I delivered during the Closing Event of our community's Rosary devotion here in Nottingham on 31st October)

October is almost over, yet our hearts are full of happiness because it was truly a month where we gathered together to pray. From Ate Precy and Jackie’s house, we brought Our Lady’s image to 14 other homes invoking Christ’s peace be on each of them and reflecting the mysteries of the Rosary.

From Bestwood Park to Bestwood; from Bestwood to Old Basford; and from Bestwood again to Daybrook, the homes visited seem to have been like scattered beads joined together like the beads of the Rosary singing “Ang puso ko’y nagpupuri sa Panginoon…” or saying “Hail Mary, full of grace…”

Indeed, this union of hearts and minds through Mary’s Rosary has inspired us to further strengthen and promote our devotion. This unity we have, brought by God’s Spirit, has made us look after each as brothers and sisters. God has touched us all to form a community!

Let us continue to live the message that our Rosary devotion has imparted to us even if it’s not October.

I personally would like to thank all our 15 families for their support in this annual celebration and would like to give them a small token of appreciation.

I’d like to thank too our other kababayans whose homes may not have been visited, but have still joined us in our devotion: Jona Estioso and Vangie Lagazo.

Finally, I’d like to recognize two members for their active participation in this year’s project: Jackie Rapada – “Perfect Attendance” and Jason Sulit – “Most Promising Youth Member”.

Many thanks everyone for taking part in our Closing Event especially to the Sulit Family for hosting tonight’s Rosary. I look forward to working with you all next year, God willing.

Giving Thanks Like Mary

Ang puso ko’y nagpupuri, nagpupuri sa Panginoon; nagagalak ang aking espiritu sa ‘king Tagapagligtas

These were the words of the Blessed Virgin Mary when she expressed her thanksgiving to God for all the wonderful things He has done for her.

Today, we echo those words as we thank God for the grace to have reached our first year anniversary as a community devoted to the Rosary of Our Lady.

It has been said that “Gratitude is the heart’s memory”. Like Mary, we too recall the previous year when we began our devotion. We unveiled our devotion in this very house 12 months ago with 10 families agreeing to welcome the statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary into their homes where we could pray the rosary together on certain evenings.

Through those prayer gatherings, our bond as a group got stronger and stronger. Through those prayer gatherings, we continued what we have been taught when we were in our home country and by doing so, became ‘missionaries’ of the Rosary in the UK!

This year, we are glad that from 10 families, we have grown into 15! From the Bestwood and Daybrook Areas, we have included Old Basford which is why we now call our group as Filipino Rosary Crusade – Nottingham North. We thank the ‘Original 10’ for once again taking part in this year’s devotion. We welcome our 5 new member families into our fold. We look forward to working with you all to make this project a success.

And we also now have a comprehensive prayer booklet which includes songs, reflections on the various mysteries of the Rosary, etc.

As we celebrate our First Foundation Anniversary, let us keep ourselves humble and rooted in God like Mama Mary. Let us always bear in mind that it was by His grace and His grace alone that we are able to achieve these and many more blessings that would come our way.

Full of hope, let us keep our hearts open to the inspiration of God so we could continue this beautiful devotion and become a light for a world that is in need of it.

Finally, let us always be united under the maternal protection of Mary so that like her, we may also be instruments of the Lord’s mercy for all.

Happy 1st Anniversary!

(The above article was the message I delivered during the Filipino Rosary Crusade - Nottingham North's 1st anniversary celebration held on 1st October 2010.)