You Are A Priest Forever

12 years ago today, I and 14 others were ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Miguel Cinches, SVD, then bishop of Surigao City. Our class name is Santibok (One beat, One heart). Most of the members of the class were then young professionals.

It's a good time to thank God for the gift of priesthood. And what a better way of thanking God than to celebrate the Holy Eucharist, the center of my life.

I am also grateful for the many people who were instrumental of my becoming a priest and a missionary. Fr. Albert Rabe, the then spiritual director of the Youth of Ilocos Sur Encounter Christ movement, who had always believed that I have the vocation to the priesthood and encouraged me to nourish that vocation. To Rev. Arthur Yabes, who introduced me to the Society of the Divine Word. Actually we accidentally met in a bus for the first time and never thought then that he is a priest. The late Rev, Fr. Bernard Le Frois who patiently directed me spiritually during my early formation years. To My parents, brother, sisters, relatives and friends who encouraged and prayed for my perseverance. To the many benefactors, known and unknown who have given their financial assistance generously, especially the late kuya Joe Dimalanta, Mila Dimalanta, Violet Dimalanta, Mrs. Laurie Bandiola, Ma'am Trining Rosal my former teacher at the University of the Philippines, Mrs. Josefina King of Escolta, Manila, Mr. Renato Agapito who never get tired of helping even up to now, Ramil who has always been there to support me and all the men and women that I met in my journey as a missionary and a priest. To manang Inday Medina who who is very supportive materially and spiritually, and to the parishioners of St. George Catholic Church who showed their love for me through and through. To all of those in one way or the other had helped me become who I am now. My sincerest thanks.

There is but one wish I want to make, that with the grace of God and the support and prayers of people who love me so dearly, that I may be faithful to my vows I made twelve years ago: the vow of poverty, chastity and obedience.

Fathe Gustavo Vidal, my pastor is so gracious in allowing me to have a special celebration of the Holy Eucharist with some parishioners. May the Blessed Mother Virgin Mary intercede for me that I may be able to carry out my duties and responsibilities in the parish effectively and efficiently.

After the noon Mass, I was treated like a King for a Day by Lorraine Boyce who preapared a sumptuous lunch with selected members of the parish. To Lorraine who opened her house to me and some friends, maraming salamat. For those who joined in the celebration, Eucharistic and the luncheon, my sincerest thanks...

Three old men are bragging with each other how would they want to die, an eighty year old said if I can experience driving the most expensive car, I can already die. The second guy, a ninety year old said, if I go to the casino and win the jackpot I can already die by heart attack. The oldest who is ninety five years old said, I want to die in bed, shot by a jealous husband.

Lord, Lord,,,

One old daily Mass goer in a parish was heard saying, "one thing I hate with the Pastor is that in his homilies he always talks about GOD".

Not all who says "Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven". Salvation can not e attained by confining ourselves to praying. Christian life means we need to listen to the Word of God and practice them in our daily lives. As St. Paul puts it, "faith without action is dead." Faith should be translated into concrete action. Doing something good to people around us especially those who cannot pay us back. Then our reward in heaven would be great.

When the old daily Mass goer said that he hates the pastor for always talking about God does not mean that he does not want the pastor talking about God. Because we do not have the right to talk about God if godly ways does not reflect in our lives. It is a sacrilegious to talk about God if we don't walk the talk.

If we want to be save, we need to listen to the Word of God and make them guide for our daily living and serving God through our neighbors.

Busy Eating

After Mass this morning Marilyn Sugimoto and Hanh invited me for breakfast and we went to my favorite breakfast restaurant the Blue Bunny at Main street. Then I proceeded to bless the house of Marie Braddy at 1040 N 1300 W. Marie prepared a tray of pansit bihon (glass noodle). Instead of eating it in her house, brought it home and shared it to some of the volunteers at the thrift store.

And I had a hearty Lunch of Tilapia with the LV Group at Olive Garden in River Road. After that I already felt my eyelids falling wanting to have my siesta. The LV Group composed of Lorraine Boyce, Helen Salvatore, Mary Wallace and her husband Roy, and there's another guy but I forgot his name. It's nice to be with these guys once a month not only to dine but especially to share thoughts and ideas and stories. See next January 5, 2010 guys....

Happy New Year!

People making lists,
buying special gifts,
it's the time to be kind to one and all.
It's the time of year when good friends are dear.
And you wish you could give more,
than the presents from the store.
Why don't you give love on new year's day..
Happy new year to all!

Advent is taken from the latin word Adventus, which means coming. Today, the first Sunday of advent ushers to a new church calendar. The old calendar of the Church ended last Sunday with the celebration of the Solemnity of Christ the King. And advent is reminding is to prepare to two important occasions in our Christian life: the celebration of the incarnation of God and the second coming of Jesus as judge in his glory.

How then are we goin to prepare for these two events? We Filipinos have a peculiar way of welcoming a guest. I remember when I was young, when we were expecting a guests we make special preparations. We lived in a barrio (village). most of the houses during that time were built on stilts, the lower part of the house is where our animals lived and the upper part of the house with one room for the living room, the dining room and for sleeping area for the whole family members. If guests are expected, we make a general cleaning from scrubbing the floors made of bamboo slits by using banana leaves because we do not have commercial floor wax then. My mother would bring blankets washed them and put starch on it to make sure that it is crispy. She would then bring the best plates and glasses and cups. My father on the other would prepare something to be butchered, pigs, goats or even our dogs. And we make sure taht the guest would feel at home and especially treated. That is how we welcome guests.

When expectings guests we make sure that we give the best comforts as possible. If we do these things to our human guests, how much more if the expected guest is Jesus himself? Are we not going to make the best preparations to make sure that Jesus would not only come and visit us but to remain with us? Are we not suppose to make that in our hearts there is a dwelling place for him?

St. Paul in his first letter to the Thessalonians reminded his community to be blameless and pure in the sight of God that when the Lord comes they would stand erect before him. And in the gospel reading, St. Luke is reminding us to beware for our hearts not to be drowsy of carousing and drunkenness and preoccuppied with the anxieties of this life. We need to be vigilant and keep praying that we may have the strenght to face the tribulations and tragedies of life. That when the Lord comes we may be ready to welcome hime with head held up high, because we have been faithful to him and his word.

The celebration of Christmas is sure to come on the 25th of December. We might have sent away all of our Christmas cards, or had wrapped all our gifts, and our house beautifully adorned with Christmas Trees, lights and other ornamentts, these things are important reminders that Jesus came to us as man, but the most important thing is to be spiritually ready to welcome him when he comes again. Then, with all honesty we can say, Come Lord Jesus, my heart is ready for you to dwell. Amen

It's Too Good to be TWO!

Yesterday November 22, 2009, the Filipino Catholic Community of Sts. Peter and Paul celebrated second yeard of it's existence with a Thanksgiving Mass and a Dinner at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in West Valley City, Utah. More than a hundred members of the community attended the said event. Most of those who were there when the community was just starting were present, a number of them were not around for reasons we don't know of. But I believe that they are also happy that the small group of Filipino Catholics around Salt Lake City and the Valley area had grown to it's present number.

There was festive mood among the members present. Kids did some parlor games prepared by Carmela and company. Different naative Filipino foods were served, and the celebration would not have been complete sans LECHON courtesy of Leo.

Kuya Rudy Padua, after all the visitors and guests left suggested that for the next anniversary we need to invite the Bishop to come and celebrate the Mass with us. I told them that before that invitation, they have to formally organize themselves and chose the leaders of the community. Things went smoothly even without leaders but it would have been better if there's a core pastoral group to lead the community. Before the party is over came the snow fall. But all of the members went home happy.

My sincerest thanks and appreciation to those who in one way or the other contributed to the success of this years celebration. To those who put their time, talent and treasures, the organizing committee , the choir, the faithful members and guests and to everyone who took part in the celebration. May the good Lord reward you for your generosity. Mabuhay ang Sambayanan ng Filipinong Katoliko ng Sts. Peter and Paul Parish.

See you next year folks!

The Number You Have Dialed Can not be Reach

One of the most important technological innovations in the 21st century is the cell phone and internet. I still remember when I was young in 70's that to call Manila from our province you need to pay a fortune and letters received in months especially those coming from abroad. But this innovations communications is easier and a lot faster. Cell phones like cars are no longer a luxury but it is a necessity. As a priest, it is very helpful because you can be reach anytime of the day or the night through the cell phone. Even if you can not take the call immediately you can return missed calls if the calling party makes his number available to you. The only reason when a person cannot receive calls is when his cell phone is turned off or he does not want to receive calls at all.

Since my duty and responsiblities as a priest is not only from 9 o'clock in the morning 'til 5 o'clock in the afternoon, I need to be ready and make myself available to all people that I serve all day and all night. Because this is my life as a servant. It is not my time, but the time of those in need of my service that is to be taken into consideration.

I am always ready to take your call at 435 862 68 67. Call Now!