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!

Erps

The first time I heard about Fr. Ruben J Villote was when I read a magazine an aunt brought home when she visited us.  It was the late 80s and there emerged in the metropolis a Satanic cult which targeted the vulnerable of society, the young people. An article in that magazine featured this menace and Fr. Villote (a.k.a. Fr. Ben or Erps; a colloquial for erpat or father) was one of the resource persons being interviewed. I can't remember what he exactly said.  The only thing I remembered was a photo of a bespectacled man.

 

In a few years' time, I heard about him again through a fellow parishioner, the late Ms. Luisa "Tia Lucing" De Jesus.  Tia Lucing and others from Gagalangin such as Tita Baby Martelino were regular visitors at the Center for Migrant Youth  (CMY) in Cordillera St., Quezon City (It's now located in Fairview).  Fr. Ben was the founder and at that time the center's director. The center, according to the San Jose Seminary website, "offers shelter, school assistance, and pastoral accompaniment for youths from rural areas who migrated to the metropolis".  

 

I got the chance to finally meet the man when Tia Lucing invited me and the AP Youth to join them every second Sunday of the month.

 

Every week, different groups of people would flock to the center to meet Fr. Ben and his wards and bring with them donations such as canned goods, rice, sugar, etc.  We arrived a few minutes before the morning Mass.  Fr. Ben was outside the chapel welcoming people.  Tia Lucing introduced me to him and - surprise, surprise- I discovered that he hailed from Gagalangin! His family's house is located along R. Fernandez St, just next to Our Lady of Piat Clinic. I found out too that he and my uncle Sonny (Dr. Paulino V. Albano Jr.) were schoolmates at the San Jose Seminary. 

 

Before the start of the Mass, Fr. Ben would have a flag ceremony where one of the wards would hoist the Philippine flag and then we'll all sing "Pilipinas kong mahal".  The chapel didn't have pews - all leave their shoes outside and then sit on the mat.  The altar table was as small as a dulang or coffee table with a small chair for the priest to sit on to. He asked me to do the second reading, but before that, he introduced me to everyone as "pamangkin ni Sonny, (ang) kababata ko" (My contemporary Sonny's nephew). 

 

Erps was a soft spoken priest who wasn't in the habit of delivering long homilies. There seems a different flavour of the liturgy every time we attended Mass at the center.  He made it personal, intimate, thought-provoking.  One time, he had sampaguita garlands ready for guests who had celebrations (e.g. birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) at about that time - Tia Lucing got a garland in October as that's when her natal day is remembered.  There was also one Mass when the Gospel was about gratitude and he asked us to tell the person next to us how we appreciated them. I expressed my sincere thanks to the person next to me for her friendship. Guess who it was?  It was Nidz who is now my wife!

 

As we bid CMY adieu, Fr. Ben would tell us "Ikumusta n'yo ako kay Fr. Mar." (Send my regards to Fr. Mar). Fr. Mario "Mar" Enriquez was our parish priest then. (Strangely, Fr. Ben seemed not have been invited to any parish events I know of. Perhaps he was, but was unable to do so because of the demands of his ministry. Puzzling too is that he wasn't recognized by the parish for his efforts. The parish has focused more on awarding its officers, but not those people who have received the light of faith from the parish and shared it unconditionally to the dark alleys where Christ is never heard!)

 

My regular visits to CMY was cut when I stepped down from the APY presidency, but because of my closeness to Tia Lucing, she would keep me updated.  From time to time, I would read Fr. Ben's articles in a popular newspaper.  The last time I talked to him was when I informed him of Lola Piling's death. He was close to my grandparents, my Dad told me.

 

What touched me about Fr. Ben was his love and devotion for the youth who have migrated to the city in search of better opportunities.  More often than not, people leaving home and family (with the notion that Metro Manila is a paradise) end up frustrated, depressed, stuck in the rut.  And it is during these low moments that they become exposed to the menace around them: drugs, prostitution, exploitation, etc. The center is indeed heaven-sent! (Previous to this ministry, he engaged with the poor in his role as parish priest and chaplain.)

 

 Fr. Ben could have opted for a much easier ministry as a priest, but he decided to stay on through thick and thin.  I read that one time there was no food and he went to the prayer room to surrender everything to Divine Providence.  He heard a knock from the door - there were visitors who unexpectedly popped in to share their food! 

 

 

 

He could have chosen to retire and be looked after by his relatives (he had Alzheimer's disease and was confined on a wheel chair), but he preferred to remain with his spiritual children till the end. Like the Good Shepherd who offered His life for the sheep.

 

Thank you, Erps for showing us how to care for the vulnerable, for what Jesus called "the least of my brethren". May you now enjoy the reward He has reserved for those willing "to journey towards the more radical and painful work of renewing the world and restoring all things in Christ so that justice and righteousness may begin to prevail in the New Heaven and the New Earth as a sign of the Second Coming" (taken from Fr. Ben's words when he was interviewed for a magazine's Christmas edition).

 

 

 

 

 

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!