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!

Priest Hole

I turned on the TV one night, not so much to really watch but to help me doze off. Pampaantok baga! The show was about the persecution of Catholics in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in the 16th century. The intense persecution came about after two attempts by Catholic nobles to depose the Protestant Queen and replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots, her cousin who was a Catholic. 

A law prohibiting a Catholic from celebrating the rites of his faith (e.g. Mass) was implemented. Old Catholic families had Mass secretly celebrated in their homes. Hiding places, or what has now been commonly called as priest hole, were built to protect the priest in case suspicious soldiers would suddenly barge into the homes. Harvington Hall in Worcestershire has several priest holes such as the photo above. Other castles and homes that have these are Ripley Castle in North Yorkshire and Chesterton Hall near Cambridge.

One of the holes was just next to a big fireplace and the TV presenter mentioned that, to protect the priest from the fire, his vestment was soaked in water!

It has been said that much of these holes were attributed to St Nicholas Owen, a Jesuit lay brother, who constructed these hiding places. St Nicholas was both architect and engineer of these holes. Eventually, he was arrested, tortured, and killed, but he didn't reveal anything to the authorities. 

The house searches of these soldiers were rigorous and could last for a week. More often than not, they leave empty handed. There is a risk that priests hiding in these holes would die due to lack of oxygen (some would hold their breath lest they would be detected) or starvation.

Priests, like in those days, are an endangered species. Although persecution is no longer prevalent in England (and in most parts of the globe), our priests still need that hole, that hiding place to protect them from the perils of this world. Apart from protection, they need that hole where they could be nurtured, where they can recharge when the going gets tough. It's not the hole which shielded the priests of the 16th century. It's not the gadgets or vices that some of them have been allegedly holed up to. It's far better than those.  

The hole where priests should hide is the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  The Lord once spoke these words: "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.…" (Mt 11:28).

As we celebrate the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the 12th of this month, let us entrust to Him all our priests. May they make time to be hidden in this sweet and loving heart so that, when they go out into the world, when they resume their duties, they would touch people's hearts, especially the most hardened ones (Promise of the Sacred Heart of Jesus).

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You!

Coming Close Through the Heart of Mary

Last weekend, our parish celebrated the feast of our patroness, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour.  The celebration coincided with the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. As such, the liturgy was that of the Lord's feast.  However, there was an opportunity for all worshippers to pay tribute to Our Lady by offering flowers to her icon.  In his homily, Fr Gerry (our Parish Priest) was able to fuse together the two feasts by calling our attention to two treasures of our church: the Last Supper mosaic at the main altar and the image of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour.  What was catching between the image of Jesus in the former and that of the Blessed Mother in the latter were their eyes. Beholders, wherever they are located in church, won't fail to be 'caught' in the gaze of these pairs of eyes. For 10 years now, I have always been 'touched' by that gaze of Jesus' eyes every time I go to that church.  Apart from the gaze, the Lord's hands are outstretched as though inviting everyone to the feast, encouraging those afraid to come and have that conversation with Him. Fr Gerry invited us to think of Mary as being in that Last Supper mosaic.  With her in that celebration, how can we refuse to take heed of Jesus' call?

June 27, the traditional feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, happens to be the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus this year.  Just like that Corpus Christi event in our parish, the liturgy for Friday will be that of the feast of Our Lord.  And yet, you would hear that the Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Baclaran, is due to observe its patroness' feast on the same day. I guess Jesus won't mind if devotees pay tribute to His Mother and ours on His feast day.  As St Louis Marie de Montfort, a French priest known for his devotion to Mary, once said "We never give more honour to Jesus than when we honour his Mother, and we honour her simply and solely to honour him all the more perfectly. We go to her only as a way leading to the goal we seek - Jesus, her Son".

Coming from a culture known for being makaina (pro-mom), we approach Mary so that through her we can come close to Jesus. Catholics, and Pinoys in particular, are convinced that the best way to know and be near the Heart of Jesus is through the Heart of Mary.  The first few lines of the Apostleship of Prayer's Morning Offering say: O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you all my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day...

Mary has been known to be of help to others even when she was in need herself.  As of this writing, the Church celebrates the Birth of St John the Baptist. Mary, upon learning that her elder cousin Elizabeth was pregnant (with John the Baptist), travelled to Judea to visit her, to come to her aid.  Mary did this in spite being pregnant herself.  Then again at Calvary, in spite of being sorrowful Mary wholeheartedly accepted her new role as our mother.  Jesus Himself came to the aid of others even to the point of scandalizing some of his self-righteous contemporaries, even to the point of emptying Himself so that others could have their fill.

As we celebrate these feasts, let us ask for the grace to have a heart ready to help others.  There is another celebration happening on the 27th - World Day of Priests. One of the 12 promises made by the Lord to St Margaret Mary Alacoque was that He will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts. Touching the most hardened of hearts seems to be an uphill battle nowadays, not only for priests, but for parents and other concerned people. Let's entrust our priests to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary that they may remain open, humble, and caring to the flock entrusted to them. Only if their hearts are like that of Jesus would they be able to touch others' hearts.  Our diocese currently has no bishop. May the good Lord send us a new shepherd whose heart is after the heart of God Himself.

***

June 29 marks the sacerdotal anniversary of two priests I know of in the Diocese of Nottingham.  

Fr Gerry Murphy, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and Delegate to the Diocese's College of Consultors, will be celebrating his 40th anniversary. Through Fr Gerry's support, our rosary group has been able to hold the monthly Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help in the church every last Saturday of the month. Our group was also given the opportunity to contribute further to the life of the parish through assistance at Mass, visit to the elderly, and gardening at the monastery and parish hall.

Fr Geoffrey Hunton, Dean and Parish Priest of St Barnabas Cathedral, will be commemorating his 12th.  He's one of the first priests I have known since migrating to the UK.One of the first 'ministries' I got involved with in church was to assist Fr Geoff in the cathedral bulletin. Although I don't do that any more, I feel welcomed at the Cathedral every time I go there, especially during Thursday noon time for the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Fr Geoff's warmness made that possible.  I am truly blessed to have him as a friend!

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus inspire and animate you in your ministry! May the Immaculate Heart of Mary be your refuge! May the Apostles Peter and Paul intercede for you.Thank you.

Sacrilege!

The annual procession of the image of Jesus the Black Nazarene every January 9th has been a spectacle in Manila.  Thousands of devotees would flock to Quiapo Church to pay tribute to their patron and join the procession.  When I was a kid I would hear of people being killed or wounded in the procession that it brought cold chill in my spine.  My one and only experience of the procession happened in 1989 when my friend Jonathan De la Llana, a devotee, tagged me along to watch the procession. During those days, the procession starts from the church. It was only recently that the procession began at the Quirino Grandstand to remember the translacion (transfer) of the original image of the Nazareno from Intramuros to Quiapo. The transfer is preceded by a Mass. 

When I was still in Manila, I would go to the church to attend Mass during the feast of the Nazareno.  For me, that was it!

I got perturbed when I read posts made by friends on Facebook on how unruly some devotees were so much so that they managed to remove the statue from the altar while the Kordero ng Diyos (Lamb of God) was being sung.   Here's a video from Youtube to complete the story!

I am disgusted how some devotees didn't have that respect for the Mass when it's the same Jesus (to whom they are devoted) who instituted this sacrament and commanded us to "do this in memory of me".  Mind you, during the singing of Kordero ng Diyos the consecrated hosts and wine would have already been at the altar table ready for distribution.  

Watching how things unravelled, I don't know what happened to Cardinal Tagle (the Mass Presider) as it seemed that he and other men of the cloth got silenced by a mob of devotos. The cardinal could have raised his voice in protest. He's the presider isn't he?  I saw some men in blue uniform, but they seemed to be overwhelmed too!  Not sure why they suddenly 'retreated' when they saw the mob approaching the altar.  It didn't help either that there was this man (Is he a priest or a commentator?) who initially gave instructions for the mob to get down to allow the Mass to be finished, but later went with the flow and facilitated the transfer of the statue from the altar to the carroza. A reprimand is in order for that guy!

What happened to the Mass?  Here's a photo from a friend in Facebook.  Apparently, the priests went to the VIP room to ensure that the Body and Blood of Jesus are protected from the stampede.  This is where they also finished the Mass.

If this sacrilege would continue next year, organizers of the translacion should take a serious look at this.  If the Mass would be disrespected, it might be best to just have it held in the church.  The translacion could still be held at the Luneta, but no more Mass.  A Way of the Cross seems more appropriate. I agree with a friend who suggested that the military took charge of security next year.

Sad to say those devotees who couldn't  wait for the Mass to be completed give the rest of well meaning devotees a bad image.  Furthermore, this incident (not to mention the huge amount of garbage that was left along the path of the procession) questions how deep our faith is as Filipino Catholics - ordained and laity alike.  Up to what extent to do follow Jesus?  Surely, being disrespectful in the Mass and littering are incompatible with His teachings!  Where do we recognize Jesus and everything He represents in our midst?  Do we still see Him in the form of bread and wine or are we just contented with statues and images?

Lolo Padi

Ever since a child, I have been associated with priests. From the time I was baptized to the moment I began attending (and serving) Mass. From the day I studied till I worked(in the Philippines and now in the UK), priests have always been part of my life.

There was one priest that I would never forget - the late Msgr. Fidel E. Albano. Lolo Padi as we called him, was the second in the brood of six children of Eusebio and Hilaria Albano. He was my grandfather's older brother. All I knew about him was that he was the officiating minister when I was initiated into the Church - contrary to what is on my baptismal records.

When he retired from active ministry, he helped in the church services of Gagalangin. After his Mass in the church he would refuse to ride the car and would prefer to walk home. At one time, I was told, he collapsed along the way.

My elders would tell me how strict yet supportive brother and uncle he was. It wasn't a surprise why my grandparents have been good supporters of their parish priests in Gagalangin: Msgr. Pedro Pajarillo and, later on, Msgr. Feliciano Santos. As my Lolo Paul would confess in his eulogy to Msgr. Pajarillo, he saw in these priests his very own brother.

Probably I am following the same way of thinking. And so, I have a long list of priests who have become my friends. I must admit that I had some interesting encounters with some men of the cloth, but we gradually see things eye-to-eye.

Lolo Padi would have been 111 years old on the 24th April if he were alive. He had two memorable sayings that was passed on to me by my uncles who, in their youth, were guided by his words. He said that politicians have nothing else to declare but "Primero, yo. Segundo, yo. Tercero, yo" (Loosely translated as "Me first. Me second. Me third.") In fact this applies to everyone.

The other saying which is in Ilokano could simply be put into these words: "If you have no direction in life, it would be better for you to build your own casket and I will perform the burial rites on you." Harsh words which remind me of Jesus saying a similar tune to those who would cause scandal on others. I wonder if he were still alive. Could he also be calling for PGMA to step down?

Selflessness and purpose of life. Two important tools for daily Christian living that Lolo Padi espoused throughout his life. I hope we could all do the same.

I pray too that we would always support his brother priests in their ministry as well as those who are preparing to embark in becoming a worker in God's big harvest. May God bless his soul.