Holy Week

During the Holy Week Fr. Meng, MI assigned the seminarians to the different chapels in the parish. Postulants Albert Silos and Henry Angupa went to San Josef, a two hour travel on foot. They taught basic catechesis to the children, youth and also to the elderly. They organized and practiced the choir and gave orientation to those who are about to receive the sacrament of confirmation which will be administered at the Nuestra dela Annunciata Parish on its 5th anniversary as a parish this coming May 7.

Postulants Hector Rimando and Seo Jung Ju were assigned in the chapel of Calawis. They also taught catechesis, practiced the choir and assisted in the liturgy during the Holy Week celebration.

Postulant Charito Borra and I were sent to Apia, one of the farthest chapels under the parish. We did the blessing of palms, washing of the feet, way of the cross, and veneration of the cross and sharing of life experiences. Our Holy Week celebration culminated in our liturgy on Easter Sunday which was followed by a small table fellowship where every one contributed his/her share to fill our empty stomachs.

The week though exhausting became meaningful and fulfilling as we learned a lot of lessons in life in the barrios. Of course, our stay in our different assignments will not be fruitful without those who sheltered us and welcomed us into their homes. To all of them, our many thanks!. We will always remember them in our prayers.

Bro. Paolo’s Visit

Last April 21, 2009, Bro. Paolo Han, MI, our confrere from Taiwan, visited Boso-Boso once more. Together with the young Chinese priests and some postulants, Bro. Paolo initiated to give the children some treat: food and snacks. More than 80 children were given their share. Bro. Paolo also shared that the first time he set foot in Boso-Boso was 1995 and now that he’s here again in the Philippines, he really included in his itinerary the visit to Boso-boso. He appreciated the development and several changes he saw in the place and, of course, intends to visit this place again.

Vocation Festival

Last April 17, 2009, the enthusiastic and energetic youth of Nuestra de la Annunciata Parish woke up early and headed to Taytay, Rizal to attend the 14th Vocation Festival the Diocese of Antipolo held at the Siena College of Taytay Auditorium. The vocation festival centered on the theme “Call Center ni BRO: listening to the Call of Christ, the center of our Lives”. More than 1,500 participants joined the activity and filled the college auditorium. And from the parish more than 80 participants joined.

The activity started with the parade from St. Anthony of Padua Parish Church to Siena College. Then the Vicariate Patrons were enthroned on the stage. The Vocation festival was invigorated by animation songs, messages, sharing, workshops, film showing, and reflection and confession and, of course, each vicariate’s presentation. Of course, the presentation of our parish was the most outstanding as the youth performed as a live band singing a song with matching dances and animation. Congratulations to all! The many weeks of practice and hard work paid off at last.

An exhibit of priestly and religious life was also present. It was a vocation festival after all. Many religious orders and congregations of priests and sisters prepared their own gimmicks, materials and paraphernalia to encourage and persuade the youth to try out the priestly and religious life and to heed God’s call. Of course, we Camillians also did our part as we displayed and gave away posters, calendars, brochures, stampita, tarpaulin and showed our video presentation about the Order of the Ministers of the Infirm.

The whole day activity culminated with the Holy Eucharist presided by Most reverend Gabriel V. Reyes, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Antipolo.