Awaiting in Patience

Every day, my father would send my on Viber some historical facts and puzzles. Yesterday, he sent me this puzzle: 

I hire parsons.

Form one word using all words in the above sentence.

My answer: Parishioners.

Papa gave me a thumbs-up.

Hours before that Viber conversation, Nidz and I were in the shop to buy something. As we were leaving, a familiar face came in. It was Angela Brown, a fellow parishioner. We were all happy to see each other. It's been ages since we saw each other in church and have been missing each other's company. Although very few churches in our diocese have reopened, our parish church hasn't. Services - please God - will resume by the end of September.

Going back to the puzzle, it seems that I was having thoughts of my parish: its liturgical celebrations and devotions, its people, etc. Thank God for technology, we as a community continue to be in touch through our website and social media. Fr John Martin, our parish priest shares with us his daily reflection of the Gospel. The reflection also includes the Mass intention so we are aware and unite in prayer for the person/s being remembered in the Holy Eucharist. Every weekend, he also has a video on the Sunday Gospel in collaboration with other parishioners.

I note that it's St James' feast day today. He once wrote: Now be patient, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. Think of the farmer: how patiently he waits for the precious fruit of the ground until it has had the autumn rains and the spring rains! You too have to be patient; do not lose heart, because the Lord's coming will be soon" (James 5:7-8).

For our parish and other communities having the same predicament, St James' call to be patient is both timely and inspiring. How can we practice this virtue? Fr John wrote: We are called on to be the rich soil in which the seed fell and produced a rich harvest. We are reminded to take a look at ourselves from time to time in order that we can take stock and see what needs to change and what work do we need to do for that change to take place. May be there might be a bit of weeding that needs doing in order for new growth to take place, or we may need watering and nurturing. Whatever it may be we need to do let us not neglect it because if we do it could reduce our faith and separate us from the love of God and we do not want that to happen!. 

As we look forward to our churches reopening soon, let's take to heart Fr John's reflection and do our homework!

***

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and welcome to God's big family my nephew and godson, Scott Nathan M. Reyes. Scott is the second son of Eldin (my first cousin) and Hershey. 

Happy baptismal day, Scott! We join you in celebrating your special day. Your baptism gives hope for the Church in fulfilling its mission in these challenging times. May God our Father bless and guide you so that, later on, you too would help in building up His kingdom here on earth. We love you!

Eldin with Scott

St Mary Magdalene Parish Church

Kawit, Cavite, Philippines

Consecration to St Joseph

The last public Mass I attended was on the Solemnity of St Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church. I felt it was ironic that the penultimate public Mass in England before the lockdown happened when the Church celebrates the feast of her patron. Be it as it may, Fr John Martin, our parish priest encouraged us to "go joyfully glorifying the Lord by your life".  The lock down meant homeschooling for Chiara and working from home for me. Nidz, the bravest of us three, is a front liner in the health service.

Previous to the lock down, I received from the post the book "Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father" by Fr Donald Calloway, MIC. I learned about it from social media. I listened to the talk of Fr Calloway and decided to order the book, after all, St Joseph is my patron. He's the saint I fondly call Tay (short for Tatay or Itay, the Tagalog word for father). The book was published at a very appropriate year - 2020 marks the 150th anniversary when Pope Pius IX declared St Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church.

The book is divided into three parts. Part 1 focuses on a 33-day preparation where, on each day, a short invocation on the Litany of St Joseph is explained. Part 2 showcases the wonders of this beloved saint as written by saints, mystics, popes, and other devotees. Part 3 features various prayers to St Joseph, including acts of consecration to him.

Statue of St Joseph (a gift from my former teacher and colleague, Prof Maribel G Nonato)

Initially I planned to do the 33 day devotion on 30th March (to finish on 1st May, feast of St Joseph the Worker) on my own. The lock down changed that! I talked to my wife about the devotion and asked her what if we do this as a family? She agreed with me. And so, for 33 nights, we gathered in front of an altar with a statue of St Joseph and read through the book. Chiara was our main reader. She told me how she enjoyed doing it as well as learning a lot from St Joseph. I felt the same way too! It was refreshing to revisit the Church's teachings on this great man, testimonies from people who looked up to him as their spiritual father, and the Seven Sorrows and Joys of St Joseph. I once wrote about this devotion and Fr Calloway's book serves as some sort of affirmation to my own work.

There were also some stories there that I vaguely or never knew before such as the Holy House of Loreto, the Santo Anello (holy ring), the Miraculous Staircase, St Joseph's Holy Cloak, how Pope Pius IX eventually declared St Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church in 1870, and the bishop whose testimony moved Pope John XXIII to include St Joseph in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I).

The author also wrote his thoughts, backed up by good and strong references, whether St Joseph was an old man or not when he became engaged to Mary. I am glad that this was included. Personally, I am not a fan of St Joseph being depicted as an aged dad, but as a young man. We laughed when Fr Calloway quoted the saintly Mother Angelica: "Old men don't walk to Egypt". 

When we were reflecting on St Joseph as "Patron of the Dying", it brought back memories of St Joseph de Gagalangin Parish Church (where I was baptised). Back in the day, the main altar had a huge and beautiful painting of the dying St Joseph. To his right stood Jesus holding St Joseph's forehead with His left hand (I think the Lord's right hand was raised in blessing). To St Joseph's left was Mary in tears. In the foreground were two angels and a vase with lilies. On top of the painting were two cherubs and an inscription: "Mahal na Poong San Jose, ipanalangin mo kami" (Dear lord St Joseph, pray for us). Unfortunately, the painting is now gone when the altar was renovated in 1985.  The reflection reaffirmed too my belief that one of the gifts of devotion to St Joseph is a peaceful death. My late grandmother Pilar passed away peacefully. She was a devotee of St Joseph.

Learning more about St Joseph made me, or should I say made us three, love him more. And from that love comes a desire to imitate him further so we could serve Jesus whom he served faithfully and lovingly. 

I am very grateful for joining in this 33-day preparation with my family. The lockdown may have shut our churches, but it made our home a domestic Church indeed. The journey with Tay Joseph continues! If you want to know more about St Joseph and how he could be your spiritual father, I strongly recommend that you buy this book. 

St Joseph, our spiritual father, pray for us!

Will You Come and Follow Me?

A week ago, 104 people from across the Diocese of Nottingham were commissioned as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion by Bishop Patrick McKinney at the Cathedral of St Barnabas. Two of those commissioned were from the Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour: Jane Kabiru and yours truly. Deacon Martyn Swaby was there too to represent Fr John Martin and the parish. The cathedral was full of people that day. 

In his homily, Bishop Patrick asked the congregation if anyone could claim to be qualified to become an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. To which he said "No one". Underscoring how the disciples fed the crowd from five loaves of bread and two fish (Lk 9:10-17), the Bishop spoke of the importance of giving to the Lord what one has and He will use it in ministering to His people, the Church. The Homily was followed by the Rite of Commissioning where each of those 104 people received  from the Bishop their scapular and certificate of commissioning. 

After being commissioned, I sat back to my seat and reflected on what the Bishop said. True, no one is worthy or qualified. All that matters is one's willingness to serve. I also thought of what Fr Michael Eastwood, Chairman of the Diocesan Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Commission, told us during our formation way back in September. He spoke about commitment and encouraged us, when waking up in the morning, to offer to Jesus that day and ask Him to help us do what is right, to be faithful, just for that day. He explained that we cannot undo the past nor know what will happen in the future. Hence, the need to be faithful, in the present.

"The Summons" which was sung during the Presentation of Gifts that day sums up that momentous occasion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkuowlcfcOw

In my prayer, I called to mind my late grandparents Paulino and Pilar Albano. Both used to serve as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. Both instilled in me the value of serving at Mass. If they were still alive, they would be celebrating this year their 80th wedding anniversary.

I would like to thank my family, Fr John Martin, Fr Gerry Murphy (former Parish Priest), Deacon Martyn Swaby, John Staniland, and fellow parishioners for their support in my rediscovered ministry. Seven years ago, Fr Murphy recruited me as an extraordinary minister on a temporary basis. However, I was then unable to go forward and be commissioned. I thought that was it. Surprisingly, an opportunity became available last summer. It seems to me that the Lord is calling me once again to this ministry. O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine!

Please remember me and my fellow ministers in your prayers. Thank you.