OUR PARISH PRIEST

Let us pray for the persecuted church, for their oppressors, for nations that foster persecution, and for those who ignore it. Let us read the Holy Scriptures, finding there the stories and witness of hope borne by those who lived through ordeals to the glory of God, and hear the promises of the gospel for all who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. In our prayer for persecuted Christians, let us not narrow our compassion for all who suffer, whatever their profession or creed; let no hatred or prejudice enter our hearts for anyone. Called by the Holy Spirit to unity with the persecuted, let us enter into their suffering, repenting of our ignorance, refusing to be silent, ready to reach out to them in their isolation. PRAYERS OF CHRISTIANS LIVING IN COMFORT God of the suffering and all who stagger under the weight of the cross of Christ, hear us as we seek to stand with those persecuted for being Christians. Your cross bearers in  other lands  are livin...

ANG ASSISTANT PARISH PRIEST (KATUWANG NA PARI) Dahil sa kakulangan ng mga pari sa ating bansa, bihira tayong makakilala ng tinatawag na Assistant Parish Priest. Pero kung maging mapalad na mayroon man, madalas ang itinatalagang Assistant Parish Priest ay isang bagong hirang (newly-ordained) na pari na pagdating ng ilang buwan o ilang maikling taon ay siya namang magiging Parish Priest sa kanyang sariling assignment na parokya.   Ang Assistant Parish Priest ay para bang nasa “training period” para maging isang ganap na Parish Priest pagdating ng tamang panahon. Bihira ang maliit na parokya na may Assistant Parish Priest.   Normal lang na ipadala ng Obispo ang isang pari upang maging assistant sa isang malaking parokya na maraming gawain o malawak ang sakop na lugar.   Normal din na ang kasama ng assistant ay isang medyo matanda na o beterano nang pari. Para bang inaasahan na ang Parish Priest ay matanda at ang kanyang Assistant ay bata.   Hindi...

ANG PARISH PRIEST (KURA PAROKO) Lahat ng parokya, may Parish Priest, ang tumatayong siyang ama ng pamayanan ng Diyos sa isang munting lugar. Ang Parish Priest ang karaniwang kaisa-isang pari para sa buong parokya.   Dito sa pilipinas bihira ang parokya na may dalawa o higit pang pari.   Normal na ang mayroong isa, ang Parish Priest o Kura Paroko. Iba’t-iba ang pananaw ng mga tao sa kanilang Parish Priest.   Kapag bago pa lang ang pari, at lalo pa at ito’y bata pa, kinagigiliwan siya ng mga tao.   Laging may nakamasid at nakikinig sa kanyang mga kilos at salita.   Kapag magaling ang karisma niya, tiyak madali niyang mahahatak ang mga tao patungong simbahan. Gusto ng mga taong ang Parish Priest nila ay mahusay magsalita, magaling makisama, mabait at maunawain sa kanila at malapit ang puso sa mga mahihirap.   Merong mga lugar na gusto nila ang pari ay magaling kumanta, maganang kumain o kaya naman sanay mag-ballroom dancing o modern...

PROACTIVE RESPONSE TO THE PASSING OF THE DESTRUCTIVE RH BILL LET US MOVE ON! My dear people of God in the Church in Lingayen Dagupan: Conscience attempted to speak but it has been stifled! The Reproductive Health Bill has been passed by the Senate and Congress through a majority vote. They might have won through the tyranny of numbers but it does not mean that they are right. It is only a matter of time and then we will see more violations of “ Thou shall not kill ” and “ Thou shall not commit adultery ” among our families, our youth and children. If the President will sign this into law, he will give us a moral time bomb wrapped as a gift to celebrate Christmas. This law will open more doors to abortion and more crimes against women. In the Archdiocese of Lingayen Dagupan, let us intensify the moral spiritual education of our youth and children so that they can stand strong against the threats to their moral fibre. Let us use all the means within our ...

LET US PRAY FOR AND SEND NEEDED HELP TO OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN MINDANAO WHO WERE  SEVERELY AFFECTED BY TYPHOON PABLO. LORD, HAVE MERCY! LORD, OPEN OUR HEARTS AND HANDS… (check radio veritas and caritas manila websites, coordinate with your parish and diocese)

TYPHOON SENDONG IN A DEADLY RAMPAGE OF MINDANAO JUST DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS… SOME PEOPLE WILL AGAIN DOUBT GOD’S LOVE… BUT SOME WILL START SHARING GOD’S LOVE…. HOW ABOUT YOU, WHAT WILL YOU DO?

Panigan ang Buhay, Tanggihan ang RH Bill (Liham Pastoral ng Kapulungan ng mga Katolikong Obispo ng Pilipinas) Aming mga kapatid na Pilipino, Pinahahalagahan ng Estado ang dangal ng bawa’t tao at tinataguyod ang ganap na paggalang sa karapatang pantao (Art II, Seksyon 11). Kinikilala ng Estado ang kabanalan ng buhay pampamilya at ipagtatanggol at palalakasin ang pamilya bilang isang batayang institusyong panlipunan na may karapatang itaguyod ang sarili. Ipagsasanggalang din nito ang buhay ng ina at ang buhay ng di pa isinisilang mula nang ito ay ipaglihi (Art II, Seksyon 12). Bakit itong Liham Pastoral? Nagsimula tayo sa paghalaw mula sa Saligang Batas ng Pilipinas. Ginawa namin ito dahil nilalayon naming gawin ang sulat na ito batay sa saligang pinahahalagahan at mga hangarin ng sambayanang Pilipino at hindi batay sa mga katuruan ng Simbahang Katoliko lamang. Bilang isang bansa tayo ay nasa sangandaan. Hinaharap natin ang ilang bersyon ng isang panukalan...

THE SPIRIT BLOWS… IN MY PARISH Learning experiences for a pastor and his flock – 2 RECONCILIATION OF ENEMIES It was the first time that I was transferring from one parish to another. That morning of my departure, the active, faithful and supportive parishioners were all around the rectory trying to help pick boxes, bags and whatever furniture I was to bring. Others were milling around inside the church looking sad, crying, murmuring their farewells, waiting to kiss my hand or hug their pastor one last time. Outside the church, a retinue of jeeps, jeepneys, cars and a pick-up truck was readying to transport the people who would accompany me on my exit trail. As I stepped outside the church, I was met by all sorts parishioners – the ladies who volunteer to clean, the youth wearing the ‘I love fr. Ramil’ shirts, neighbors expressing gratitude and sadness, etc… Suddenly there came to me, two ladies who were crying their hearts out, telling me how they wil...

THE SPIRIT BLOWS… IN MY PARISH Learning experiences for a pastor and his flock – 1 THE BEST FAREWELL It is a different kind of high one experiences when the source of joy comes from an unexpected person at an unexpected time. One of the first visits I made to a neighbor in the parish community was to an old woman who recently lost her husband. I attended the wake, made acquaintances with the family and engaged this widow in a beautiful conversation. When I inquired whether she or her family went to church regularly, she said it was a practice never promoted in their home. Her husband, while still alive, would buy flowers and leave them at the door of the church or at the steps of the rectory so as not to be noticed. But the family had no habit of going to Sunday mass. Besides, she claimed, the sound system was much too clear from the outside, she could recite all the homilies I delivered since I arrived. And yes, all the time I was in that parish, the lady nev...