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.

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!

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!