Merry Month of May

National Conference for Youth Ministers (NCYM)

The NCYM 2008 was held last May 5-10 in Jaro, Iloilo. Our Parish Youth Coordinator Jacky Sapitanan was part of the official delegation from the Archdiocese of Manila and she represented the Makati District Youth Ministry. The theme of this year’s conference was “The Word of God Lives in You” (1 John 2:14). The conference aimed to stress among the youth ministers that the Bible should take the central place in the lives of youth ministers. Bishop Chito Tagle of Imus was the keynote speaker of the conference. He challenged all the youth ministers to listen and witness to the Word of God, Jesus Christ. The NCYM believes that the young are not only objects of evangelization but that they can be ministers of evangelization.

EMHC Retreat 2008

The annual retreat of the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC) was held last May 9-10 at Villa San Jose, Tagaytay City. Bro. Jayvee Zuniga of San Jose Seminary was their retreat director. The theme of this year’s retreat was Eucharistic Spirituality. Bro. Jayvee said that when we speak of spirituality we speak about a particular expression of a belief which is rooted in the quality of one’s relationship with God. When we speak therefore of Eucharistic spirituality, we refer to the spirituality of a person who is transformed by his communion with the Body of Christ.

Santacruzan 2008

The month of May in the Philippines is dedicated in a particular way to Mama Mary. In almost every parish, little children flock to churches to be taught catechism and afterwards offer flowers to the Blessed Mother. Another activity that highlights this Marian Devotion is the Santacruzan which gives honor to Mary through her different titles. This also recalls Queen Helen’s search for the Holy Cross, the true Cross of Christ. Young women are dressed to look their best to give honor to the most beautiful woman ever, the Blessed Mother. Our santacruzan this year was held last May 10. This year’s Reyna Elena is no less than Queenie Cance who really looked every inch a queen.

Queenie's debut

Just got back from Fernwoods Garden. My inaanak, Queenie, celebrated her debut just fit for her name, she was the "Queenie" of the Night in her blue gown. I was lucky to be seated near her parents, Gil and Chat, and her lola, Nanay Nida. I saw them shed tears of joy as the screen displayed her growing up pictures. Gil and Chat are lucky to have a beautiful and charming daughter in Queenie. But I must say Queenie is blessed with such loving parents who would do anything for their one and only. Nanay Nida was thanking me for the opportunity the parish gave Queenie which made her active and be involved in the church. I should be thanking the family for sharing with the parish the precious gift they have. And thank you for choosing me as his godfather.

I was happy to see our parishioners in the party -- the lectors, the legionaries, the youth ministry, etc -- who were there to share in the joys of the Anca's and the Cance's. Some of them shared their talents like Leonard, Alquin, and the ever reliable "resident entertainers" Millette and Jerdi.

Occasions like this remind me of the gift of life (and of course my age). It reminds me of how much or how little the time we have in this world and why we should make the most out of it.