Beloved Parishioners,

This week I will use my Pastor’s Corner to introduce you to our new Parochial Vicar. He officially begins his new assignment here on July 1, 2024, but many of you will meet him at the 8:45am mass on June 30th. As a way of introducing him, his biography follows.

Beloved Parishioners,

As an effort to emphasize the importance of holiness of life, robust faith, and spiritual fervor, which are the hallmarks of Christians who are bearing witness to the Gospel message in the modern time, I want to strongly recommend to all of us, the example, patronage, and spirituality of Saint Anthony of Padua. The intercession of this Saint is a special privilege I have enjoyed all my life, most especially in my vocation, and I wish to recommend him to all of us as a model for piety and virtues.

Beloved Parishioners,

We just celebrated both the Solemnity of The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Having shared reflection with you on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, today I share with you on the Immaculate Heart of Mary which took place last Saturday.

Beloved Parishioners,

In line with my promise to keep sharing with you some significant reflections on the solemnities we celebrate in the church, today I wish to share with you another reflection on the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. These past Sundays, we have been celebrating great mysteries that distinguish the Church as the most powerful spiritual institution in the world.

Beloved Parishioners,

The Church historically celebrates the institution of the Holy Eucharist on Maundy Thursday, which is the first day of Tridium, usually the peak of the Lenten period. This moment is already charged with sorrowful memories, Judas’ betrayal, the arrest and agony of Jesus, Peter’s denial, as well as the memories of our imperfections in following Christ.

Beloved Parishioners,

As I said that I would be sharing spiritual reflection from events and solemnities we celebrate as I take my vacation, today I share with you the mystery of the Holy Trinity. The Easter season is over with Pentecost, which we celebrated last Sunday, and we have returned to the liturgical season of Ordinary Time again. However, today, the first Sunday after the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity which points us to the meditation of the mystery of the Godhead.

Beloved Parishioners,

As I stated in my last Pastor’s Corner, I would be sharing reflections on some Church’s feasts and events during, my vacation, thus this week I wish to share a reflection on Mary’s role on Pentecost today. The Pentecost which we celebrate 50 days after Easter Sunday, taken away from its Jewish origin and significance, is regarded as the birthday of the Church remarkably because of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church which took place on that day.

Beloved Parishioners,

As I continue my vacation time outside the parish, I am inspired to keep this Pastor’s Corner active by sharing with you some spiritual reflections on a weekly basis. Most of my write-ups would be focused on the feasts, solemnities, or events in our Church’s calendar.

Beloved Parishioners,

When I was growing up as I child, I recall how the beginning of every month of May till the end of May was a great month for me as May Devotion. It is a month of special devotion to honoring Our Mother Mary especially with the recitation of the Rosary and other forms of Marian devotion.

Beloved Parishioners,

A warm welcome is what each of us expects when we visit a new place, a church, party or meet new faces for the first time. Such a warm welcome gives one a sense of love, value, and that feeling of home. Most people do not like to visit a place where they were not welcome, or their presence is not very much appreciated. Giving a warm welcome to a new visitor makes the person feel delighted that he is not in the wrong.

Beloved Parishioners,

The last words of John the Evangelist Jn 21:25 are “This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.” John, in this passage, testifies to the truth of the Risen Lord and Acts 1:8 says, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”

Beloved Parishioners,

As we continue our celebration of the Risen Lord, I share with you some Easter updates and upcoming events in the parish.

First, I wish to say a big thanks to everyone who participated in the Charity and Development Appeal of this year. It is amazing to see the effort by many of you to ensure that we reach our goal this year. I wish to announce that we have reached our goal and even exceeded it through your generosity, sacrifices and commitment that this was accomplished. I thank you and pray God’s blessings on every one of you.

Beloved Parishioners,

This week I share reflection on Divine Mercy as this Sunday is specially devoted to embracing the Divine Mercy of God. “For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” This immortal prayer of Divine Mercy devotion reminds us of the need for God’s mercy in our lives, and ties together the passion of the Lord with the Easter we celebrate. Thus, we are invited today to immerse ourselves in the ocean of divine compassion, to bask in the radiance of the risen Christ, and to be transformed by the power of His mercy.